Demitron | A strong anti-nausea drug

Nausea and vomiting are two situations that many people have faced during their life. These conditions can be caused by various diseases, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery. Demetron tablet is an inhibitory drug that is prescribed to treat nausea and vomiting in these conditions. The common name of the drug is Demitron or Ondansetron, which is sold under the brand names Zofran, Zofran ODT and Zuplenz.

Due to the high effectiveness and safety of this drug, it is also used to treat nausea in normal conditions. By reading this article, you can get to know how Demetron tablets work, its advantages and disadvantages, and important points to keep in mind when using this drug. This information will help you to get better and reduce the symptoms of nausea by using the right medicine.

Pharmaceutical forms of Demetrion

Demetron is also commonly known by the brand name Ondasetron in global markets. This drug is produced and marketed in different pharmaceutical forms according to the needs of patients. What can be found in the current drug markets is mainly in four forms, which are: 1. Ordinary pills 2. Disintegrating tablets (sucking) 3. solution (syrup) and 4. Intravenous ampoule.

Uses of Demetron tablets

This drug is used alone or together with other drugs to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by drug treatment of cancer (chemotherapy) and radiation therapy. Also, in cases where the patient has to undergo surgery, this drug (generally in the form of intravenous ampoule) is used before the surgery so that the patient does not experience nausea or vomiting after the surgery, and as a result, it does not lead to injury and tearing of the wound and stitches. Another case is related to when a person has food poisoning.

In this case, Demetron prevents vomiting by blocking one of the body’s natural substances (serotonin). This medicine is also prescribed for patients who have suffered a concussion in the head area and have confusion and nausea or vomiting. In the case of children, in case of colic and diarrhea, this medicine is used in its soluble form (syrup).

Pharmacological effects and mechanism of action of Demitron

The pharmacological effects and mechanism of action are as follows:

• Pharmacological effects:

Demetron is an antihistamine and calcium channel blocker. Histamines act as mediators between a number of body activities such as airway and digestive tract muscle contraction, vasodilation, cardiac stimulation, gastric acid secretion, improvement of interleukin release, and chemotaxis of eosinophils and mast cells.

Competitive antagonists at histamine H1 receptors may be divided into first-generation (sedating) and second-generation (non-sedating) agents. Some antagonists, such as demetron, block muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and are used as antiemetic agents. Demetron also prevents stimulation of the vestibular system through its calcium channel blocking ability.

This drug is a strong, highly selective, and highly potent serotonin receptor antagonist located on peripheral neurons and within the CNS. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy agents may cause the release of 5HT (serotonin) from enterochromaffin cells in the visceral mucosa and by activating vagal afferents through 5HT3 receptors, they initiate the vomiting reflex and associated nausea. Demetron selectively blocks the stimulation of presynaptic 5HT3 receptors of peripheral neurons in this reflex.

Therefore, it prevents nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy, poisoning, head trauma (blow to the head), complications after surgery, etc. and generally has no side effects. The last point is that, in the case of intravenous injection of 8 mg, Demetron gives a maximum plasma level of 80-100 micrograms per liter within 5 minutes, which steadily decreases in the next 15 hours.

The dose of Demetron for preventing nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery and other symptoms that may cause nausea and vomiting is determined based on age, weight and the reason for prescribing the drug. The dose of Demetron for adults in the prevention of moderate nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy is 20 mg per day (2 Demetron 4 tablets taken at two different times) and in the prevention of severe nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy, it is 24 mg per day (6 Demetron 4 tablets taken at different times).

The usual dose of Zofran for adults is 8 mg orally or intravenously every 8 to 12 hours. If Demetron is prescribed by a doctor, its dosage for adults is usually 10 mg by intramuscular or intravenous injection every 4 to 6 hours. If Demitron tablets are prescribed, the usual dosage for adults is 10 mg orally every 6 to 8 hours.

Time to take Demetron tablets

To prevent nausea or vomiting caused by chemotherapy, this drug should usually be taken 30 minutes before the start of treatment. If the patient is undergoing radiation therapy, to prevent nausea, this medicine should be taken 1 to 2 hours before the start of radiation therapy. In cases where the patient will undergo surgery, to prevent nausea or vomiting caused by surgery, Demetron should be used 1 hour before surgery.

This medicine can be taken with or without food. Of course, in the case of radiation therapy or surgery, it is likely that the doctor will recommend not to eat before chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery, which is mainly aimed at reducing the pressure caused by possible vomiting. Because despite taking Demetron, people may still have nausea and vomiting with a very low probability.

Precautions

People with severe kidney or liver disorders should not take ondansetron. Caution should be exercised if you have heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, or are taking medications such as digoxin, phenytoin, verapamil, amiodarone, or other heart medications. Also, ondansetron may cause drowsiness, so if you are in a safe situation like driving, you should consult your doctor before doing these activities. In general, before taking any medication, especially if it is the first time, you should discuss all your medical history and inform your doctor if you experience any unpleasant symptoms.

Contraindications for Demetron tablets

Ondansetron is used for cancer chemotherapy and some infections and seizures. Below are the cases in which the use of this drug is prohibited:

• 1- Liver disorder: If the patient has a liver disorder, this medicine should be used with caution.
• 2- Heart failure: Heart failure is one of the cases that should be taken into account when taking all medicines and their dosage and should be consulted with a doctor.
• 3- Irregular heartbeat: This medicine should not be used in case of irregular heartbeat.
• 4- Phenylketonuria disease: if the patient has phenylketonuria disease, prohibit the use of this medicine.
• 5- Digestive problems such as stomach obstruction: In case of digestive problems such as stomach obstruction, taking Demetron tablets is not recommended.
• 6- Low level of magnesium or potassium in the blood: If the level of magnesium or potassium in the patient’s blood is low, the use of this medicine should be done with the doctor’s opinion.

Side effects of Demitron tablets

Demetron Ondansetron is an anti-nausea drug used as a treatment along with chemotherapy for cancer and some infections and seizures. Most people do not experience side effects from this drug, but some of its side effects may include headache, constipation, fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, and drowsiness.

However, other rare side effects that may occur with Demetron Ondansetron include fainting, severe dizziness, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and a dangerous allergic reaction. If any of these symptoms occur, you should see a doctor immediately. In general, Demetron Ondansetron is a safe drug and many people use it without any complications.

Drug interactions of Demetron tablets

The simultaneous use of ondansetron with some other drugs may cause drug interactions. This interaction may change the function or aggravate the side effects of the drug. Therefore, before taking ondansetron, you should report your medical history and medications to your doctor and consult with him about the simultaneous use of ondansetron.

Drugs that interact with Demetron include apomorphine, tramadol, doftilide, pimozide, procainamide, amiodarone, quinidine, sotalol, macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin, antidepressants, duloxetine, fluoxetine, and paroxetine. For advice on the drug ondansetron and its interaction with other drugs, you can get online and telephone advice through the positive green site.

Use of Demitron during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Treatment of acute nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is one of the common problems that pregnant women face. In these cases, ondansetron is used as an effective and safe drug to treat vomiting and nausea during pregnancy. Demetron tablets can be useful in the treatment of acute nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, but it is not recommended to use this medicine in the first trimester of pregnancy due to the possibility of risks to the fetus. In other situations, before taking ondansetron during pregnancy, you should consult your doctor and follow his recommendations. To ensure the safety of using ondansetron during breastfeeding, it is important to get a doctor’s opinion after a complete examination.

A complete guide to the composition of Demitron tablets

Demetron medicine has only one effective ingredient called hydrochloride dihydrate according to the application and usage cases that were listed. But besides that, ineffective substances are also usually seen in its ingredients, which, depending on their specific chemical formula, generally include lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, and magnesium stearate. Lactose is a type of sugar that can only be found in milk, and for this reason it is also called milk sugar. This substance plays an important role in the physiology of digestion and absorption of some substances such as calcium. As a natural and fiber-rich component, microcrystalline cellulose has always been popular with many pharmaceutical companies.

This substance is chewable and non-toxic, and as a medicinal and food supplement, it is easily decomposed and while increasing the stability of medicinal effects, it also facilitates the release of the active substance of the medicine. Finally, magnesium stearate is a substance that is used in the pharmaceutical industry (making capsules) with the aim of improving the consistency of capsules and preventing the capsule components from sticking together. This substance also causes a delay in the decomposition of the capsule so that the capsule is absorbed in the desired area.

Demetron tablets for diarrhea

Demetron is one of the drugs used in the treatment of diarrhea. This medicine consists of sodium diphenoxylate and lumifentrol compounds. By reducing the movement of the digestive system and reducing the secretions of the stomach and intestines, Demetron reduces diarrhea and improves the patient’s condition. The composition of sodium diphenoxylate in Demetron increases the absorption of water in the intestines and reduces the volume of liquids in the intestines. Also, the combination of lumifentrol in this medicine reduces the secretions of the stomach and intestines, and as a result, improves the patient’s condition. After prescribing Demetron, patients should eat light food and drink more fluids. Also, if the symptoms of diarrhea do not improve after 24 hours of using this medicine, you should see your doctor.

Overall result

In this article from Positive Green Online Pharmacy magazine, we examined Demitron tablets and its use for the treatment of nausea and vomiting. Also, the method of use, complications and important points that should be considered for the correct use of this medicine were discussed. Below are some frequently asked questions.

Site source: medscape

Frequently asked questions about Demetron tablets