Asacol HD and Ondansetron Hydrochloride

• Generic Name: mesalamine
• Dosage Forms: tablet, delayed release
• Other Brand Names: Apriso, Asacol HD, Delzicol, Lialda, Pentasa, Canasa, Canasa Pac, Rowasa, SfRowasa

Asacol HD affects a substance in the body that causes inflammation, tissue damage, and diarrhea.

Asacol HD is used to treat mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. This medicine is also used to prevent the symptoms of ulcerative colitis from recurring.

Some brands of mesalamine are for use only in adults, and some brands are for use in children who are at least 5 years old.

Asacol HD may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

• Generic Name: ondansetron
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Zofran, Zofran ODT, Zuplenz

Prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with emetogenic cancer chemotherapy; may use orally with highly emetogenic chemotherapy (i.e., cisplatin ≥50 mg/m2) or initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic chemotherapy, or IV with initial and repeat courses of emetogenic chemotherapy, including high-dose cisplatin.

For prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with highly emetogenic chemotherapy regimens (including an anthracycline plus cyclophosphamide), ASCO recommends a 3-drug antiemetic regimen consisting of an NK1 receptor antagonist (e.g., either oral aprepitant or IV fosaprepitant), a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist (e.g., dolasetron, granisetron, ondansetron, palonosetron), and dexamethasone. ASCO states that fixed-combination netupitant and palonosetron plus dexamethasone is an additional treatment option.

For moderately emetogenic chemotherapy regimens, ASCO recommends a 2-drug antiemetic regimen preferably consisting of palonosetron and dexamethasone. If palonosetron is not available, a first-generation 5-HT3 receptor antagonist (preferably granisetron or ondansetron) may be substituted. Limited evidence suggests that aprepitant may be added to this regimen; in such cases, use of any 5-HT3 receptor antagonist is appropriate.

For chemotherapy regimens with a low emetogenic risk, ASCO recommends administration of a single dose of dexamethasone prior to chemotherapy.

For chemotherapy regimens with minimal emetogenic risk, ASCO states that routine antiemetic administration is not necessary.

Prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Routine prophylaxis not recommended in patients in whom there is little expectation that nausea and/or vomiting will occur postoperatively.

Recommended for patients who, in the clinician’s judgement, must avoid nausea and/or vomiting postoperatively, even when anticipated incidence is low.

Prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with radiation, either total body irradiation or single high-dose fraction or daily fractionated radiation to the abdomen.