Hypersensitivity to Intravenous Ondansetron: A Case Report
August 2008
in “
Journal of Medical Case Reports
”
TLDR Ondansetron can cause serious allergic reactions, so use it carefully.
This case report described a hypersensitivity reaction in a 19-year-old woman following a single intravenous dose of ondansetron, a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist commonly used to treat nausea and vomiting. The patient developed urticaria immediately after administration, which was treated successfully with dexamethasone and chlorpheniramine maleate. The reaction was classified as "probable" on the Naranjo's causality assessment scale. The report highlighted the potential for life-threatening reactions with ondansetron, especially when used off-label, and emphasized the need for cautious use, particularly in outpatient settings, to prevent avoidable adverse drug reactions.
