Emeset-4 (Ondansetron 4mg)

Emeset 4 general information

What is Emeset 4 used for?

Emeset 4 tablets 4mg are used to treat and prevent nausea and vomiting caused by certain cancer treatments including cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which are used to kill cancer cells. Emeset 4 is also used to prevent post-operative nausea and vomiting. Emeset 4 helps to control and manage the onset of nausea and vomiting following cancer treatment and following surgery but it is not effective at preventing nausea and vomiting due to other causes like motion sickness, which are caused by a different mechanism.

How does Emeset 4 work?

Emeset 4 tablets 4mg contains ondansetron, a potent and highly selective 5HT3 receptor-antagonist that is used as an antiemetic to control the nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy, also to prevent post-operative nausea and vomiting. It is thought that chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery can cause the release of serotonin (5HT) from the cells of the small intestine, which stimulates 5HT3 receptors that are found on the vagal nerves in the intestines. Stimulation of these nerve endings by serotonin sends nerve messages to the vomiting centre in the brain (a complex area of neuronal networks) that induces the vomiting reflex. Ondansetron is thought to work by blocking the transmission of nerve messages from the intestines to the vomiting centre in the brain. There are also 5HT3 receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) of the area postrema in the brain, which is where the vomiting reflex originates, by sending nerve messages to the vomiting centre. It is thought that ondansetron in Emeset 4 also blocks the 5HT3 receptors in the CTZ and this also prevents activation of the vomiting centre in the brain. Ondansetron in Emeset 4 thereby blocks the 5HT3 receptors found in the peripheral nervous system in the intestine and the central nervous system in the brain. This dual effect of ondansetron in Emeset 4 prevents vomiting caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy; also post-surgery vomiting and also helps relieve the feelings of nausea.

What does Emeset 4 contain?

Emeset 4 tablets 4mg contain the active ingredient ondansetron hydrochloride, an antiemetic used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy, also to prevent post-operative nausea and vomiting.
Treating nausea and vomiting due to cancer chemotherapy with Emeset 4
Emeset 4 tablets 4mg contain ondansetron that is used to control nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy by preventing the stimulation of nausea and vomiting caused by this cancer treatment. Chemotherapy is a cytotoxic cancer treatment that causes the release of serotonin (5HT) from the cells of the small intestine, which stimulates the 5HT3 receptors found on the vagal nerves in the intestines. Stimulation of these nerve endings by serotonin sends nerve messages to the vomiting centre in the brain (a complex area of neuronal networks) that induces the vomiting reflex. There are also 5HT3 receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) of the area postrema in the brain, which is where the vomiting reflex originates, by stimulation by serotonin of 5HT3 receptors, sending nerve messages to the vomiting centre. Ondansetron in Emeset 4 is a potent and highly selective 5HT3 receptor-antagonist and it is thought that its antiemetic action is due to the blocking of 5HT3 receptors in the peripheral nerves of the intestines and in the nerve cells of the CTZ in the brain. This dual effect of ondansetron in Emeset 4 prevents nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Treating nausea and vomiting due to cancer radiotherapy with Emeset 4

Emeset 4 tablets 4mg contain ondansetron that is used to control nausea and vomiting caused by cancer radiotherapy by preventing the stimulation of nausea and vomiting caused by this cancer treatment. Radiotherapy is a cytotoxic cancer treatment that causes the release of serotonin (5HT) from the cells of the small intestine, which stimulates the 5HT3 receptors found on the vagal nerves in the intestines. Stimulation of these nerve endings by serotonin sends nerve messages to the vomiting centre in the brain (a complex area of neuronal networks) that induces the vomiting reflex. There are also 5HT3 receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) of the area postrema in the brain, which is where the vomiting reflex originates, by stimulation by serotonin of 5HT3 receptors, sending nerve messages to the vomiting centre. Ondansetron in Emeset 4 is a potent and highly selective 5HT3 receptor-antagonist and it is thought that its antiemetic action is due to the blocking of 5HT3 receptors in the peripheral nerves of the intestines and in the nerve cells of the CTZ in the brain. This dual effect of ondansetron in Emeset 4 prevents nausea vomiting caused by radiotherapy;

Emeset 4 for postoperative nausea and vomiting

Emeset 4 tablets 4mg contain ondansetron that is used to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting. About 10% of people are affected by nausea and vomiting following some surgical procedures requiring general anaesthetic and it is thought that this is caused by the release of serotonin (5HT) from the cells of the small intestine. Serotonin stimulates the 5HT3 receptors found on the vagal nerves in the intestines, which sends nerve messages to the vomiting centre in the brain (a complex area of neuronal networks) that induces the vomiting reflex. There are also 5HT3 receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) of the area postrema in the brain, which is where the vomiting reflex originates, by stimulation by serotonin of 5HT3 receptors, sending nerve messages to the vomiting centre. Ondansetron in Emeset 4 is a potent and highly selective 5HT3 receptor-antagonist and it is thought that its antiemetic action is due to the blocking of 5HT3 receptors in the peripheral nerves of the intestines and in the nerve cells of the CTZ in the brain. This dual effect of ondansetron in Emeset 4 prevents nausea vomiting following surgery in those who are susceptible.

What are the side effects of Emeset 4?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Emeset 4 tablets 4mg include: headache, a sense of warming or flushing, constipation, hypotension (low blood pressure), hiccups, arrhythmias (irregular heart beat), chest pain.

When should Emeset 4 not be used?

You should not use Emeset 4 tablets 4mg if you:

• are allergic to ondansetron or any other selective 5HT3 receptor antagonists or any ingredients in Emeset 4
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have liver disease
• have subacute intestinal obstruction (constipation)
• are taking medicines that interact with Emeset 4, including: the anticonvulsants phenytoin and carbamazepine, the antibiotic rifampicin, the analgesic tramadol

What medications interact with Emeset 4?

Several medications interact with Emeset 4 tablets 4mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Emeset 4 or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that affect Emeset 4: the anticonvulsants phenytoin and carbamazepine, the antibiotic rifampicin
• Drugs that are affected by Emeset 4: the analgesic tramadol

How should Emeset 4 be taken?

For prevention of nausea and vomiting following chemotherapy or radiotherapy you will be given your Emeset 4 tablets 4mg with a glass of water, to be taken with or without food before the start of the treatment. The dose you take and how often depends on how emetogenic (nausea/vomiting-inducing) the treatment is, usually 30 minutes to 2 hours before treatment and then 12 hours later, then twice daily for 5 days after treatment. To prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting you will be given your Emeset 4 one hour before your anaesthetic.

How long should you take Emeset 4?

You should take your Emeset 4 tablets 4mg only for prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery. It is not intended as a regular medication.

How should Emeset 4 be stored?

You should store your Emeset 4 tablets 4mg in their blister packs below 30°C in a cool dry place.