Emetrol
It is the brand name of a combination of fructose, dextrose, and phosphoric acid. This medication belongs to a group of medications called antiemetics.
This medication is produced by WellSpring Pharmaceutical Corporation, a company focused on the development and marketing of consumer healthcare products in the US and Canada.
Uses
It is typically used to relieve nausea by calming the stomach. Nausea is the sensation of an urge to vomit. It can be acute and short-lived, or it can be prolonged. Common causes of nausea include:
- vestibular neuritis, a condition which affects vestibulocochlear nerve – the nerve of the inner ear;
- chemotherapy;
- intestinal obstruction;
- a migraine;
- rotavirus;
- gastroparesis, a condition in which the muscles of the stomach wall don’t function normally;
- stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis);
- motion sickness;
- morning sickness;
- general anesthesia.
Nausea symptoms are not painful and can also be associated with:
- diarrhea;
- headaches;
- vomiting;
- fever;
- lightheadedness;
- gas;
- a general feeling of being sick in the stomach;
- abdominal pain;
- dizziness.
Dosage
The usual recommended dose for children is 5–10mL at 15 minutes intervals, as required. The usual recommended dose for adults is 15–30mL at 15 minutes intervals, as required.
Note – do not take more than 5 doses in 60 minutes without consulting your healthcare professional. Also, for maximum effectiveness, drink any fluids immediately after or before taking this medicine. It is safe to use for children as young as age 2.
Side Effects And Precautions
This medicine contains fructose and should not be taken by people with hereditary fructose intolerance, an inborn error of fructose metabolism caused by a deficiency of the enzyme aldolase B.
It also contains phosphoric acid, a colorless and odorless inorganic mineral acid. Too much phosphorus in the human body can affect the body’s capacity to use other essential minerals, like – zinc, iron, and magnesium. Additionally, phosphoric acid can decrease the amount of calcium in the body, leading to osteoporosis. More importantly, a high phosphorus intake is linked with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a comprehensive meta-analysis.
Zofran
It is the brand name of a drug called ondansetron that is used to prevent vomiting and nausea linked to certain types of cancer radiation and chemotherapy. It works by blocking the actions of specific chemicals in the human body which can trigger vomiting and nausea.
This medicine is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, and it was first used medically in 1990.
Uses
It is typically used to prevent vomiting and nausea which may be caused by cancer chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation treatment.
Dosage
This medication can be given as an injection into a vein or into a muscle, or by mouth. For nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, the usual recommended dose ranges from 8 mg to 24 mg per day given in divided doses. To prevent nausea from radiation treatment, it should be taken by mouth 1 to 2 hours before the start of the treatment.
The maximum recommended dose in people with severe liver problems is 8 mg in 24 hours. For seniors, the recommended dose is lower since they are more susceptible to the side effects.
Note – if you miss a dose and you do not experience nausea or vomiting, take your next dose when you are supposed to.
Side Effects And Precautions Of Ondansetron
Common side effects may include:
- headaches;
- constipation;
- tired feeling;
- drowsiness.
Rare side effects may include:
- pounding heartbeats;
- severe dizziness;
- fainting;
- headaches with chest pain;
- yellowing of the skin or eyes;
- hallucinations;
- temporary vision loss;
- stomach pain;
- diarrhea;
- severe constipation;
- loss of coordination;
- overactive reflexes;
- agitation.
To make sure that this medicine is safe for you, tell your healthcare professional if you have:
- slow heartbeats;
- liver disease;
- low level of magnesium in the blood;
- low level of potassium in the blood;
- congestive heart failure;
- long QT syndrome, a disorder that affects repolarization of the heart after a heartbeat;
- a blockage in your digestive tract.
These orally disintegrating tablets may contain phenylalanine. Tell your healthcare professional if you have phenylketonuria, a rare genetic disorder which causes phenylalanine (an amino acid) to build up in the body. Common symptoms of phenylketonuria may include:
- psychiatric disorders;
- intellectual disability;
- poor bone strength;
- delayed development;
- microcephaly (abnormally small head);
- emotional, behavioral, and social problems;
- fair skin and blue eyes;
- a musty odor in the skin, breath, or urine;
- skin rashes;
- hyperactivity;
- neurological problems which may include seizures.
More importantly, avoid this medicine if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant because it increases the risk of heart and cleft palate defects in newborns.
Emetrol vs Zofran – Differences
Emetrol is an OTC medicine used to treat symptoms of nausea. Unlike antacids, it is intended specifically for nausea and works by quieting the stomach muscle contractions.
Zofran (active ingredient – ondansetron) is a medication that belongs to the class of drugs called 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. It works by blocking the functions of chemicals (especially serotonin) in the body that can trigger vomiting and nausea.
Natural Ways to Get Rid Of Nausea
#1 Chamomile
Chamomile has been used for centuries to treat numerous gastrointestinal disturbances, like – vomiting, nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, and motion sickness.
#2 Ginger
Ginger is effective at reducing the nausea people frequently experience after an operation and chemotherapy treatment. Moreover, consuming ginger (about 5 grams per day) may be an effective method to reduce nausea during pregnancy.
#3 Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a type of therapy in which thin needles are inserted into the human body. It reduces the need for anti-vomiting drugs after chemotherapy, according to a 2015 study issued in Gynecologic Oncology medical journal.
#4 Peppermint
The main ingredients in this medicinal herb relax muscles in the stomach as well as it has calming effects on the gastrointestinal tract, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
#5 Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 has a vital role in a range of psychological and physical functions, like – reduced pregnancy nausea and improved digestion.
Foods rich in vitamin B6 include – sunflower seeds, wheat bran, flaxseeds, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, broccoli, lentils, cashews, chia seeds, pistachios, garlic, sweet potato, peanuts, pecans, red kidney beans, radishes, zucchini, and mushrooms.
Image credit – Shutterstock & Getty
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References https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27054939 https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-05-09/morning-s https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3299087/ https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160509085944.htm