Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Zofran as follows:
General allergic reactions
- Zofran use can result in general allergic reactions, such as, skin rashes, hives, and itching.
- Some patients can present with symptoms of severe allergic and anaphylactic response with zofran, such as, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, throat, and tongue, with consequent difficulty breathing. Seek emergency medical help for such findings, especially with difficulty breathing, for any appropriate measures to be considered.
Gastrointestinal side-effects
- Zofran can also induce extreme dry mouth and constipation. Sucking on a sugar free hard candy or ice chips can help with symptomatic relief of dry mouth. Proper hydration measures and compliance with daily fluid intake recommendations can help with relief from constipation. If you experience any further bothersome constipation, report it to your physician for a recommendation on laxative/stool softener use. Observing compliance with fiber intake recommendations in the diet can also help with preventing episodes of constipation with the medication.
Cardiovascular side-effects
- Zofran carries the risk of lowering the blood pressure. Hypotension, secondary to zofran intake, can lead to episodes of confusion and dizziness, thus increasing the risk for fall and accidents.
- Zofran also may aggravate some underlying cardiac arrhythmias leading to severe debility and death. Individuals can present with signs and symptoms of cardiac arrhythmias, such as, episodes of chest pain, rapid heart rate, palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
Respiratory side-effects
- Zofran use can result in dry up the mucus in the respiratory passages and consequently, makes it difficult to cough it up and clear the passages of the mucus. Individuals with breathing problems such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis can have increased mucus secretion and accumulation in the respiratory passages, secondary to zofran use. Accumulated secretions can contribute to exacerbation of shortness of breath and increased risk for multiple chest infections.
