Cancer Channel
Topics
Medications
Quicklinks
Related Channels
Zuplenz
Zuplenz is a prescription drug approved for preventing nausea and vomiting. Specifically, this medication can help prevent nausea and vomiting due to a variety of causes, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. It comes in the form of a small film that dissolves on the tongue. Potential side effects may include fatigue, headaches, and constipation.
Zuplenz™ (Ondansetron Oral Soluble Film) is a prescription medicine licensed to prevent nausea and vomiting due to several causes, including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. The medication is not intended to treat nausea or vomiting that is already occurring.
(Click Zuplenz Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
Zuplenz is manufactured by MonoSol Rx, LLC, for Strativa Pharmaceuticals, a division of Par Pharmaceutical, Inc.
Nausea and vomiting are complex processes involving many chemicals in the body and several parts of the body, including the brain and the small intestine. It is likely that Zuplenz works in the small intestine.
However, Zuplenz may also work in the brain by blocking serotonin, a chemical produced by the body that is associated with nausea and vomiting. Serotonin has many effects in the body and has several receptors where it can bind. Zuplenz blocks serotonin at a specific type of receptor (the 5-HT3 receptor).
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD