Temeekins asked
My 12 year old daughter is on doxycycline for pneumonia. She just took her third dose and is having sharp stomach pains and feels like she’s going to vomit. She had diarrhea earlier this evening as well. I know these are side effects of this drug, but I would like to know if she can take Zofran or anything else to lessen the GI upset.
Answer
Doxycycline and Zofran (ondansetron) may be taken together safely as there is no drug interaction between the two medications.
Taking Doxycycline With Zofran
One of the most common adverse effects of doxycycline is nausea, vomiting and an upset stomach. In fact, recent data suggests that nearly 39% of individuals that take doxycycline will experience some form of gastrointestinal problem such as:
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
- Abdominal pain
- Indigestion
- Diarrhea
While administering with food has shown to help alleviate some of the above symptoms, many individuals still experience problems when taking doxycycline and need additional symptom relief to continue to take the medication. Taking doxycycline with Zofran is one viable option to lessen the negative GI effects of doxycycline.
In fact, Zofran (ondansetron) can be taken safely with most antibiotics and co-administration is often recommended in certain situations, especially if you are having a tough time tolerating your antibiotic.
Zofran (ondansetron) is an effective anti-emetic medication that is used most commonly for nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It is however beneficial for general nausea symptoms and antibiotic associated nausea as well.
Zofran (ondansetron) works by antagonizing the 5-HT3 receptors (serotonin type 3 receptor) in the body. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in the perception of nausea and emetogenic (i.e. inducing vomiting) pathways. Serotonin type 3 receptors are located all over the body, particularly in the GI tract. Antagonizing these receptors is very effective in reducing or eliminating nausea and vomiting symptoms.
Zofran (ondansetron) is generally well tolerated, but is rarely associated with QT prolongation a type of arrhythmia. It is important not to take Zofran with other medication that increase this risk or in individuals that are at higher risk for arrythmia.
Be sure to discuss with the doctor regarding Zofran use in this situation and whether or not getting a prescription for it is an option.
