Skip to content
HER Foundation
  • Mothers
  • Family & Friends
  • Healthcare Providers
    • Differential Diagnosis
  • Volunteers
  • ♥ Donate
FacebookTwitterSnapchatLinkedinPinterestYoutubeInstagram
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter Signup
HER Foundation
  • Mothers
  • Family & Friends
  • Healthcare Providers
    • Differential Diagnosis
  • Volunteers
  • ♥ Donate
  • ♥ Donate Now
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • Research
    • Our Collaborative Research
    • Current Research Opportunities
    • Genetics and GDF15 Hormone FAQ
    • ICHG 2024
  • Get Help Now
    • Support Groups
    • Immediate Help
    • Professional Referral Network
      • Find a Health Professional
      • Sign up for Referral Network
      • Update Referral Listing
    • Volunteer Network
      • Find a Volunteer
      • Sign up to Volunteer
    • Get Involved
  • About HG
    • About Hyperemesis
    • Do I Have Morning Sickness or HG?
    • Complications
      • Possible Complications
      • Malnutrition & Dehydration
      • Neurological Complications
      • Gastrointestinal Complications
    • Assess & Diagnose
    • Causes
    • Treatments
      • Common Treatments
      • Medications
      • Medication Strategies
      • Medication FAQs
      • Ondansetron (Zofran) Fetal Safety
      • Ondansetron (Zofran) Maternal Safety
      • Parenteral (Intravenous) Nutritional Therapy
      • Enteral (NG/PEG) Nutrition
      • Complementary Therapies
      • Bed Rest
    • Postpartum Recovery
      • Recovering from HG
      • Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders (PMADs)
      • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Clinical Tools
    • HG Tools
    • HG Treatment Algorithm
    • HELP Score
    • Patient Treatment Guide
    • HG Treatment Protocol
    • Weight Loss Calculator
    • HG Care App
  • Mothers
  • Family & Friends
  • Healthcare Providers
  • Volunteers
  • Blog
    • Blog Posts
    • HER HG Stories
    • News
  • Store
  • Our Foundation
    • About HER
    • Our Values
    • Programs and Services
    • Support HER
    • Media Center
      • Press Info
      • HER Media Stories
    • Our People
    • Open Positions
    • Mission and Goals
    • History
    • Global HG Documentary
    • LED Crisis Fund
September 3, 2022

Taking Medication During Pregnancy: Ondansetron/Zofran

The decision to take medication during pregnancy is difficult. However, chronic dehydration and malnutrition due to Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) carry risks that may be greater than the tiny possible risks of ondansetron or other medications. Taking Zofran (ondansetron) during pregnancy is effective for >60% of HG patients.

pregnant woman taking medication

Ondansetron (Zofran) is a Class B serotonin antagonist. This class of medication is found to improve symptoms in > 80% of women.

Tips for taking Zofran (ondansetron) during pregnancy

  • lasts about 6 hours
  • take with a daily stool softener
  • take on a strict schedule
  • dose: 4 mg every 3-6 hours OR 8 mg every 6 hours
  • maximum 32 mg throughout the day

Routes for taking Zofran (ondansetron)

  • Tablet (oral)
  • ODT (oral or vaginal)
  • Compounded
  • Subcutaneous pump
  • IV


More To Know About Ondansetron

If you have pre-existing medical conditions (diabetes, heart disease, etc.), a history of medication reactions, or are a smoker, please inform your physician before taking these medications.

Often effective in patients who have multiple triggers (smell, motion, etc.), a history of hormone sensitivity, and/or moderate to severe vomiting.

If a patient has a history of HG that responded to serotonin antagonists, it should be considered as a first line drug to minimize symptom severity.

Dosing throughout pregnancy may prevent relapse or stabilize symptoms.

Avoid use with other serotonin antagonists (e.g. SSRI’s, antidepressants) to prevent serotonin syndrome.

More common side-effects: Headache, mild/moderate (reversible) liver function test abnormalities, constipation*, diarrhea

Common Treatments
Save Money on Zofran
Zofran Fact Sheet
Donate to Improve Treatment and Education

GET INVOLVED

  • Participate in HG research.
  • Become an advocate.
  • Make a gift to the HER Foundation.
  • Share your story and support other HG moms.
  • Become a HER Foundation volunteer.
  • Blog about HG and show support for HER.
  • Share resources with local health professionals and hospitals.

©2024 HER Foundation. All rights reserved.

Note: HER Foundation does NOT receive any funds from the sales of Zofran or it’s generic equivalents.

Posted in HG Management, What is HG
Share this

Recent Posts

  • Sascha’s HG Story: An Exhausting Battle for Survival
  • How to Establish Hyperemesis Gravidarum Awareness Day (May 15) in Your State
  • Five Signs You Need More Help With Hyperemesis Gravidarum
  • Top 5 Ways to Get Involved with HG Awareness Month
  • HG Awareness Month 2025: HG Progress

Categories

  • 1 Mom 2 Many
  • 1 Mom Blog
  • Books
  • Dad Stories
  • Events
  • Featured
  • Fundraising
  • General
  • HERstory
  • HG Awareness
  • HG Awareness Items
  • HG Management
  • HG Poems
  • Mental Health
  • Mom Stories
  • Networking
  • New Products
  • News
  • Partners
  • Press Releases
  • Recommended Books
  • Research
  • Resources
  • Store
  • T-shirts
  • Uncategorized
  • What is HG
iGive.com

In Memoriam


To honor your loved one, please enter their name(s) here.

Take a Poll

Get Involved

Let’s make HG history! Be part of the progress by supporting the HER Foundation and helping us raise the voice of mothers around the world! Together, we can give mothers and babies a healthier future.

Donate
Newsletter Signup
HER_foundation_white

info@hyperemesis.org

+1 888-264-2914

Who We Help

  • Mothers
  • Family & Friends
  • Healthcare Providers
    • Differential Diagnosis
  • Volunteers
  • ♥ Donate

Navigate

  • Home
  • About HG
  • Our Foundation
  • Research
  • Blog
  • Store
  • Sitemap

Translate

HER Foundation • Privacy Policy • Disclaimer

Website by Yoko Co

feedback_caps.png
Scroll To Top
© HER Foundation 2022. No part of the materials available through the hyperemesis.org site may be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated or reduced to any electronic medium or machine-readable form, in whole or in part, without prior written consent of the HER Foundation. Any other reproduction in any form without the permission of the HER Foundation is prohibited. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of the HER Foundation.