Can you take zofran while your pregnant?

Are you an expectant mommy struggling with morning sickness? Well, let me tell you that it’s no walk in the park. Nausea and vomiting can be quite daunting, especially during pregnancy when your body is already going through major changes. Naturally, finding a solution to this trying issue is at the top of the list for many pregnant women.

Nowadays, doctors often prescribe Zofran as a treatment option for managing nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy or surgery. But what about using Zofran during pregnancy? Is taking it safe for both mommy and baby? Let’s investigate!

Understanding Morning Sickness

Before we delve into whether or not you should take Zofran while pregnant, let’s first discuss morning sickness.
Morning sickness is one of the most common (and unfortunate) ailments experienced by expectant mothers. It often occurs in the first trimester (the initial three months). Morning sickness has several causes – hormonal changes being chief among them.

Among other adverse effects like fatigue and change in taste buds are feelings of extreme queasiness early on. This feeling peaks very early in a day which leads to an uncomfortable lifestyle since everything seems unpalatable from then onwards.

Various studies have shown that 50-90% of women experience some degree of nausea and/or vomiting during their pregnancies.

RISK FACTORS FOR MORNING SICKNESS

Several factors increase your chances if experiencing severe morning sickness:
| Factors | Explanation |
|————————|——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-|
| Hormone levels | An increased amount of HCG hormones will cause worsening symptoms |
| Multiples | The higher number of babies increases hormone production causing worse symptoms |
| Personal history | If there were previous experiences between close relatives i.e Mother/Sister/Grandmother etc., likelihoods high |
Increased Sense-of-Smell | A great sense of smell heightens the sensitivity to strong smells that aggravates nausea |
| Gallbladder disease | Women with a history of gallbladder disease are more prone to morning sickness. This results from bile build-up and expulsion or its incomplete utilization in the byproducts, making them toxic. |

What is Zofran?

If you live under a rock (or have never had nausea induced vomiting), you might not know about Zofran.
Let me enlighten you; Zofran (ondansetron) is an antiemetic medication that works by suppressing feelings of queasiness and also blocks signals sent to your brain which causes one’s stomach muscles to contract.

Over time, it has become increasingly popular as an effective treatment for various conditions associated with nausea, including chemotherapy.

USES OF ZOFRAN

Despite having negative impacts on the health should they fail thin medications extensively featured amongst medical recommendation lists are highly beneficial if taken according to prescription doses. Listed below are some benefits accompanying taking onnansetron:

  • Preventing Nausea & Vomiting- Pregnant women suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum can take this drug up as their first line defense against excessive vomiting due to morning sickness during pregnancy.
  • Surgical Anesthesia- It may be used before or after certain surgeries while undergoing anesthesia
  • Chemotherapy-induced /Radiation-induced) affect cancer patients commonly face troubling side effects like Wasting away etc but oindansetron therapy assists in letting go of those difficulties

In other words: When used correctly, Zofran helps reduce nausea followed by vomiting hence giving relief against associated symptoms.

However, recent studies revealed potential risks of using the medicine for pregnant women.

Zofran and Pregnancy: The Controversy

Although expecting moms have been using Zofran to treat morning sickness during these past few years, recent studies indicate that it might not be entirely safe for use during pregnancy.

The reports on this are still conflicting, but there is growing evidence of prenatal negative effects brought on by consuming the drug whilst pregnant. While some studies report clear positive results from taking Zofran while experiencing morning sickness, others find otherwise:

THE OB STRIKES FIRST

  • In October 2014, Dr. Gideon Koren released a study based in Toronto suggesting that mothers who had ingested Ondansetron increased risk level of children acquiring specific heart defects.
  • Another stict finding relates to the high concentration levels found within placental blood which can put a baby susceptible to undesired side-effects such as chronic constipation or diarrhoea with long term usage.

New research suggests that links exist between preterm delivery and other congenital disabilities when specifically used in the first trimester.

WHEN YOU’RE BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

At this point you’re likely confused about whether or not it’s okay to take Zofran when pregnant? And why all risks aren’t effectively communicated?

It’s worth mentioning here; with any medication prescribed patients are made aware of their own personal health requirements being taken into account however general contraindications weren’t often documented nor was guidelines around its prescription administered strictly thereafter because it was initially intended as a cancer treatment medicine till now therefore enough research hadn’t been conducted prior recently!

On one hand, many obstetricians have learned from experience that prescribing Ondansetron may significantly reduce hospitalizations related severe vomiting episodes especially notorious hyperemesis gravidarum cases hence lowering perinatal morbidity rates hence and consequent outcomes positively[1]

Yet again cautionary tales haven’t been overruled. Any concerns about side-effects during pregnancy should never go under the radar with ZOFRAN.

Recommended Alternatives to Zofran

The decision to take (or not) medicine when pregnant is crucial as it could have potential negative impact on both mother and baby. So what are some safer alternatives to Zofran? Here are five options that might work just as well:

  • Ginger-based candies or soda.
  • Acupuncture, a common Eastern practice used for other medical maladies also works for morning sickness according to new found research.
  • Antihistamines like Dramamine and promethazine might help combat feeling queasy although sedation level may vary
    Non-drug methods such as resting enough while staying hydrated throughout the day along with dietary recommendations reducing intake of caffeinated drinks are essential too.

When It Comes To Medication….

It’s understandable when expecting moms want definitive answers regarding whether or not medication can be harmful during pregnancy. However, those guidelines don’t always exist because finding conclusive evidence requires extensive data points which may add needless burden onto expectant mothers wellbeing especially in volatile periods of pregnancies specifically first trimesters whereby you must observe caution before blindly delving into any prescription medicine.

When prescribed medications; Most importantly weighing benefits versus risks does weigh heavily here therefore better discussed between you and your practitioner preferably one who specializes within maternal-fetal health care!

Another important point worth noting is that every woman’s experience during pregnancy differs by far- Therefore let your health needs steer advice ventured out towards execution.

Final Thoughts

In summary, whilst taking Ondansetron appears effective reduced discomfort especially induced through morning sickness – understandably so its best course isn’t easy pinpoint because general perception weighs medically administered consequences more critically when compared against alternative natural remedies but at same time improve singular pronouncements around dosage administration remains critical particularly emphasis upon proper guidance from specialist practitioners managing fetal/maternal care

If you’re still considering using Zofran whilst pregnant, consult a qualified practitioner and weigh potential risks against likely benefits.

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