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Zofran vs. Diclegis

Are Zofran and Diclegis the Same Thing?

Zofran (ondansetron) and Diclegis (doxylamine succinate and pyridoxine hydrochloride) are antiemetics (anti-nausea and vomiting) used to treat nausea and vomiting due to different causes.

Zofran is used to treat nausea and vomiting due to cancer chemotherapy and also used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting after surgery.

Diclegis is used to treat nausea and vomiting in pregnant women.

Side effects of Zofran and Diclegis that are similar include diarrhea, headache, dizziness, tiredness/sleepiness, drowsiness, constipation, rash, and blurred vision.

Side effects of Zofran that are different from Diclegis include fever, lightheadedness, weakness, and muscle spasm.

Side effects of Diclegis that are different from Zofran include stomach upset, trouble sleeping (insomnia), shortness of breath, palpitations, fast heart rate, vertigo, bloating, fatigue, irritability, feeling unwell (malaise), numbness and tingling, anxiety, nightmares, difficulty urinating, and itching.

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

Diclegis may interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or alcohol and other CNS depressants (such as hypnotic sedatives and tranquilizers).

What Are Possible Side Effects of Zofran?

Common side effects of Zofran include:

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

What Are Possible Side Effects of Diclegis?

Common side effects of Diclegis include:

  • sleepiness,
  • drowsiness,
  • dizziness,
  • stomach upset,
  • diarrhea,
  • constipation,
  • headache,
  • trouble sleeping (insomnia),
  • blurred vision,
  • shortness of breath,
  • palpitations,
  • fast heart rate, vertigo,
  • bloating,
  • fatigue,
  • irritability,
  • malaise,
  • numbness and tingling,
  • anxiety, nightmares,
  • difficulty urinating,
  • itching, or
  • rash

Diclegis should be used with caution, especially with respect to activities that require complete mental alertness.

What Is Zofran?

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.

What Is Diclegis?

Diclegis (doxylamine succinate and pyridoxine hydrochloride) is an antiemetic (anti-nausea and vomiting) agent used to treat nausea and vomiting in pregnant women.

 

What Drugs Interact With Zofran?

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.

What Drugs Interact With Diclegis?

Diclegis interacts with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or alcohol and other CNS depressants (such as hypnotic sedatives and tranquilizers). Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Diclegis is intended for use in pregnant women. Women should not breastfeed while using Diclegis.

 

How Should Zofran Be Taken?

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.

How Should Diclegis Be Taken?

Diclegis are available as delayed-release tablets containing 10 mg doxylamine succinate and 10 mg pyridoxine hydrochloride. Patients should take two tablets of Diclegis at bedtime. If nausea and vomiting is not controlled with two tablets, the dose may be increased to a maximum of four tablets daily. Diclegis should not be used by women with sensitivities to any ingredient in Diclegis. Severe drowsiness can occur when using Diclegis with other sedative medications.