Ondansetron (Molecule of the Month for November 2016)
Zofran, Emeset, Emetron, Ondemet
Ondansetron is mainly to treat nausea and vomiting following chemotherapy. Its effects are thought to be on both peripheral and central nerves. One part is to reduce the activity of the vagus nerve, which is a nerve that activates the vomiting center in the medulla oblongata, the other is a blockage of serotonin receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone. It does not have much effect on vomiting due to motion sickness.
Ondansetron was developed around 1984 by scientists working at Glaxo's laboratories in London. It is currently marketed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) under the trade name ZofranŽ; other manufacturers include Cipla Ltd. (Emeset), Gedeon Richter Ltd. Emetron), and Zentiva a.s. (Ondemet).
Granisetron is often given intravenously about 30 minutes before beginning chemotherapy.
Formal Chemical Name (IUPAC)
9-methyl-3-((2-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-carbazol-4(9H)-one
References
click on the picture of Ondansetron above to interact
with the 3D model of the
Ondansetron structure
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C18H19N3O
Update by Karl Harrison
(Molecule of the Month for
November 2016
)
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