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Compare Zofran vs. Reglan

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Ondansetron (Zofran) and Metoclopramide (Reglan) are both medications used to treat nausea and vomiting, but they work in different ways and have different uses. Ondansetron is an antiemetic that blocks serotonin in the brain to prevent nausea and vomiting, especially after surgery or cancer treatments. It is available in various forms, including tablets, dissolvable tablets, oral solution, and injections. Metoclopramide, on the other hand, is a dopamine antagonist that speeds up muscle movements in the gut to treat conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and diabetic gastroparesis. It is availible as a tablet, dissolvable tablet, oral solution, nasal solution, and injection. While both medications can cause drowsiness, metoclopramide has a serious risk of causing tardive dyskinesia, a condition with uncontrolled muscle movements, which limits its use to short-term treatment. Ondansetron is generally considered safer but can cause headaches and has potential heart-related side effects. Both medications are available as lower-cost generics.

  • Ondansetron (Zofran)
    Metoclopramide (Reglan)
  • Ondansetron (Zofran)
    Metoclopramide (Reglan)

  • Summary of Zofran vs. Reglan

    Summary for Antiemetic
    Prescription only

    Ondansetron (Zofran) is an antiemetic (or anti-nausea) medication. It's used to prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery or cancer treatments. It works by stopping a chemical called serotonin from binding to receptors in the brain that cause the feeling of nausea and vomiting. Ondansetron (Zofran) is taken by mouth, typically every 8 to 12 hours. It comes in different formulations, including orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) and oral solution. It can also be given as injection by a healthcare professional (HCP) in a hospital setting. Side effects of this medication include headache, tiredness, and constipation or diarrhea.

    Summary for Dopamine antagonist
    Prescription only

    Metoclopramide (Reglan) is FDA-approved to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as well as gastroparesis in people with diabetes. Providers might also prescribe it off-label for morning sickness during pregnancy and nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. But metoclopramide (Reglan) isn’t a first-choice medication for these conditions because it has a black box warning for a serious side effect called tardive dyskinesia. Metoclopramide (Reglan) can interact with some commonly prescribed medications, such as risperidone (Risperdal) and quetiapine (Seroquel).

  • Indications of Zofran vs. Reglan

    Indications for
    •Prevention of nausea and vomiting due to cancer medications (chemotherapy) or radiation therapy
    •Prevention of nausea and vomiting after surgery
    Indications for
    •Delayed stomach-emptying caused by diabetes (diabetic gastroparesis)
    •Severe acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD) when other medications haven’t worked

  • Pros and Cons of Zofran vs. Reglan

    Pros and Const for Antiemetic
    Pros
    •Can use for both adults and children
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    •Available as a liquid, dissolvable tablet, and injection for people who have problems swallowing pills or are too nauseous to keep medication down
    •Possible option during pregnancy and breastfeeding
    Cons
    •Needs to be taken multiple times daily
    •Might cause headache
    •Can interact with certain medications, like antidepressants and migraine medications
    •Not the best option for people who are at risk for stomach or gut blockages (bowel problems)
    Pros and Const for Dopamine antagonist
    Pros
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    •Available in many forms including tablet, fast-melting tablet, liquid, nasal spray, and injection
    •Typically starts to work in 30 minutes to 1 hour
    •A possible option during pregnancy
    Cons
    •Shouldn’t be used in children or for more than 12 weeks because of a higher risk of serious side effects
    •Needs to be taken multiple times a day
    •Interacts with a lot of medications such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, and opioids
    •Can't be used if you have Parkinson's disease, seizures, or stomach blockages or bleeds

  • Common Side Effects of Zofran vs. Reglan

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (up to 24%)
    •Fatigue (up to 13%)
    •Constipation (up to 9%)
    •Diarrhea (up to 6%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Restlessness (10%)
    •Drowsiness (10%)
    •Lack of energy (10%)
    •Tiredness (10%)

  • Warnings of Zofran vs. Reglan

    Common Side Effects for
    •Severe allergic reactions
    •Life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm (QT prolongation)
    •Serotonin syndrome
    •Risk of heart attack
    •Masking of gut blockage and stomach bloating
    •Caution use in people with phenylketonuria (PKU) - orally disintegrating tablets only
    Common Side Effects for
    •Difficulty controlling muscle movements (tardive dyskinesia)
    •Other conditions with uncontrolled muscle movements (dystonia, Parkinsonian symptoms, and restlessness)
    •Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
    •Depression and suicidal thoughts and behavior
    •High blood pressure
    •Swelling in arms, legs, or around the belly
    •High prolactin levels

  • Prices with our coupons for Zofran vs. Reglan

    Learn more about Ondansetron
    Learn more about Metoclopramide

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