Zofran For Nausea And Vomiting During Pregnancy

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy are very uncomfortable. Zofran has been used to treat it in cancer. So, should pregnant women take Zofran?

Zofran For Nausea And Vomiting During Pregnancy

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP) is a common condition during pregnancy, affecting close to 80% of pregnant women. The intensity of NVP varies from person to person, with some women experiencing severe symptoms, such as Hyperemesis gravidarum, while others have only mild discomforts. It is not unusally, therefore, that some healthcare professionals will then consider using a pharmacological treatment.

One of the most common medications that pregnant women use to reduce the discomforts of NVP is Zofran (ondansetron). ondansetron was approved for the treatment of nausea and vomiting that may be caused by surgery, cancer chemotherapy, or radiation treatment. It is not approved for NVP anywhere in the world. However, since it proved to be effective in the treatment of nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing chemotherapy, many women use it off-label to reduce the discomfort caused by NVP.

Findings of recent studies

Recent studies have shown, however, that zofran and pregnancy are not a good combination. Although the results are still inconclusive, the evidence shows that treatment during pregnancy may increase the risk of birth defects, especially when used in the first trimester of gestation.

Why not Zofran?

Zofran has not been approved for use in pregnancy and there is evidence that its use during the first trimester increases the risk of congenital heart defects - ranging from minor to severe ones. Therefore, it is best to avoid exposure.

What is the alternative?

One of the best treatments for NVP, according to specialists who conducted zofran while pregnant 2016 studies, are homemade remedies coupled with a few simple additives:

If your patient feels queasy or nauseous in the morning, she can try and nibble some thinly sliced pieces of ginger.

Your patient should not stay up and about with an empty stomach. She should keep a packet of biscuits near her bed and eat a few while sitting up in the morning. Then, she should go about with her daily activities.

In terms of pharmacological treatments, if the symptoms are severe, you could offer Diclegis, which is the only FDA-approved medication for NVP.