Zofran vs. Aloxi

• Are Zofran and Aloxi the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Zofran?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Aloxi?
• What is Zofran?
• What is Aloxi?
• What Drugs Interact with Zofran?
• What Drugs Interact with Aloxi?
• How Should Zofran Be Taken?
• How Should Aloxi Be Taken?

Zofran (ondansetron) and Aloxi (palonosetron hydrochloride) are antiemetics (anti-nausea and vomiting) prescribed to treat nausea and vomiting due to cancer chemotherapy and also used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting after surgery.

Common side effects of Zofran include:

• diarrhea,
• headache,
• fever,
• lightheadedness,
• dizziness,
• weakness,
• tiredness,
• drowsiness,
• constipation,
• rash,
• blurred vision, and
• muscle spasm.

Common side effects of Aloxi include:

• headache,
• constipation,
• diarrhea,
• dizziness, or
• tired feeling.

Aloxi may increase serotonin and rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome/toxicity. The risk increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin. Get medical help right away if you develop the following symptoms while taking Aloxi:

• fast heartbeat,
• hallucinations,
• loss of coordination,
• severe dizziness,
• severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea,
• twitching muscles,
• unexplained fever, or
• unusual agitation or restlessness.

Zofran (ondansetron) is an antiemetic and selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist prescribed for the treatment of nausea and vomiting due to cancer chemotherapy and also used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting after surgery. Zofran is available in generic form.

Aloxi (palonosetron hydrochloride) is an antiemetic and anti-nausea agent used to prevent nausea and vomiting that may be caused by surgery or by medicine to treat cancer (chemotherapy or radiation).

Zofran may interact with medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, narcotics, or seizure medications. Zofran may also interact with arsenic trioxide, tacrolimus, tramadol, antibiotics, antidepressants, anti-malaria medications, heart rhythm medicines, other medicines to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting, and migraine headache medicines.

Aloxi may interact with heart rhythm medicines. Aloxi may also interact with diuretics (water pills).

Zofran adult dose is 32-mg given as a single dose or divided in three 0.15-mg/kg divided doses infused over 15 minutes.

Dosage of Aloxi for adults is a single 0.25 mg I.V. dose administered over 30 seconds, given approximately 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy.