A question about Zofran (Ondansetron)

Piper2009

I went to the ER a couple days ago for extreme nausea and dehydration. The doctor prescribed me the generic Zofran called Ondansetron. She told me that this would be a medicine I stick under my tongue and it rapidly dissolves. However, after picking up the medicine from the pharmacy, I reviewed the information and it never mentions placing the medicine under tongue. In fact, it doesn't give any instructions at all for taking it.

The medicine came in a small white pill form. I did some research online and it appears that there's three forms of this medicine - regular pill, liquid, and rapid disentegrating tables. I put the pill under my tongue and not much happened. It sort-of dissolved a little and was horribly bitter.

Is it possible the ER doctor though I would be getting the dissolving tablets but the pharmacy gave me the regular pill? I just want to confirm how I should be taking this. I'm still waiting for the pharmacy to call me back but though some of you ladies might have experience with Zofran and Ondansetron. THANKS!!

Mee83shell

we give zofran by mouth at the hospital all the time. go ahead & just swallow it. unless the ER Dr wrote it for sublingual its just a regular tab you take.

allisonmarie22

The doctor probably wrote the script for the non-dissolving kind. If you want that kind just be sure to check with your insurance company. Since Zofran now comes in generic form and the dissolving kind is not available as a generic, a lot of insurance companies won't cover it. They'll only cover the generic. The name brand is super expensive. Just check to be sure. 

Piper2009

Mee83shell:

we give zofran by mouth at the hospital all the time. go ahead & just swallow it. unless the ER Dr wrote it for sublingual its just a regular tab you take.

Great, thanks so much! I felt like an idiot sitting there with it under my tongue and it wasn't really dissolving!

Piper2009

allisonmarie22:

The doctor probably wrote the script for the non-dissolving kind. If you want that kind just be sure to check with your insurance company. Since Zofran now comes in generic form and the dissolving kind is not available as a generic, a lot of insurance companies won't cover it. They'll only cover the generic. The name brand is super expensive. Just check to be sure. 

Thanks for the info. I have the generic kind so it must definitely be the regular pill form (which I actually prefer). Thank you again!

HuskerBabyB

allisonmarie22:

The doctor probably wrote the script for the non-dissolving kind. If you want that kind just be sure to check with your insurance company. Since Zofran now comes in generic form and the dissolving kind is not available as a generic, a lot of insurance companies won't cover it. They'll only cover the generic. The name brand is super expensive. Just check to be sure. 

Not true. I have the generic dissolving kind. Tastes like grapes.

allisonmarie22

HuskerBabyB:

allisonmarie22:

The doctor probably wrote the script for the non-dissolving kind. If you want that kind just be sure to check with your insurance company. Since Zofran now comes in generic form and the dissolving kind is not available as a generic, a lot of insurance companies won't cover it. They'll only cover the generic. The name brand is super expensive. Just check to be sure. 

Not true. I have the generic dissolving kind. Tastes like grapes.

I stand corrected. Last time I asked it wasn't available, but that was a while ago.

GreeneyesP

Lurking here from third tri... FYI with zofran expect to be constipated.  It's really slowing in that area if you get my drift.  I didn't know this and got impacted.  So I would take proactive steps now, before it gets too bad.  Good luck with nausea/vomiting.  Hyperemesis is soooo not fun.  But it does get better! (the things we do for love)

Piper2009

GreeneyesP:

Lurking here from third tri... FYI with zofran expect to be constipated.  It's really slowing in that area if you get my drift.  I didn't know this and got impacted.  So I would take proactive steps now, before it gets too bad.  Good luck with nausea/vomiting.  Hyperemesis is soooo not fun.  But it does get better! (the things we do for love)

Thank you for the heads up! I will definitely take some preventative measures

MrsCAA

The generic comes in both swallow and dissolving (i have both).

Dissolving tablets:  you dont place it under your tongue, you place it on your tongue (my dr told my the same thing, but we had a pharm. in the family and you place it on you tongue) the saliva dissolves it but if your mouth it dry you can take it with a small sip of water (It will disolve faster). These also come in a blister pack to keep moisture out.

The non-dissolving one takes a while to dissolve (like 20+minutes) It can also be chewed it you are struggling swallowing it.