Zofran

[*Kimmy*]

I am 37 weeks pregnant (today! :smiliedance:) and still have to take Zofran daily to function after being diagnosed with HG at about 11 weeks. :(

I know lots of women have had to take this drug, however I haven't heard of many (if any) cases of women who had to take it through their ENTIRE pregnancy. Obviously I will be one of those women (even if it does stop now - I'm still full term!), and I worry daily about the effects it will have on my baby.
I know most women tend to have big healthy bubba's, and I am currently measuring exactly 37 weeks which is great - means bubs is a healthy size, but what about other side-effects???

Has anyone taken Zofran from day one, right to the end, and can tell me if their bubs had no side-effects?? It would be much appreciated! :confused: :confused:

[melissadaley]

All the best with your birth. I can imagine how excited you must be. I am currently deciding the best time to have number 2. My 1st daughter Mikayla is two on Friday, and I'm thinking it would be nice to have a playmate.

I can't answer you questions about Zofran, but I had a horrible time with my first pregnancy and was on Prednisone until about 32 weeks. My little girl was born at 37 weeks, and was a healthy weight and fighting fit. She is so bright, and comparing her to other children she is advanced for her age. I have a friend that is a pediatric nurse, who has told me that the steroids in Prednisone made her stronger at birth.

What I would love to find out from you is if Zofran relieves the nausea
associated with morning sickness. Prednisone stopped me throwing up, but I never stopped feeling sick. If I could find a drug that made you not feel sick I would do it in a flash. I would also worry a lot less with my second, as I've realised obstetricians would not subscribe a drug if it has risks associated with it.

Stay positive, and I'm sure you will have a fighting fit, healthy bub. As soon as I gave birth I never felt so well, that cloud lifted straight away. And the best part is when you are feeling well again you will really appreciate it.

Thanks
Melissa. :smiliedance:

[Rell]

Hi there
I only used Zofren for the first half of my 2 pregnancy and I had a very healthy boy (4.1kg)
I do know a woman who used Zofren from the day she found out she was pregnant untill the day she gave birth and she also had a health baby.

Best of luck with the birth of your baby

[*Kimmy*]

Thanks Rell - that's incredibly encouraging. Makes me feel a lot better!:yes: It's so tough fighting with your own emotions sometimes, and fighting between making sure bubs is healthy, but also making sure I can get through the pregnancy and give bubs all he/she needs!

Hey Melissa! It was offered to me to change to steroids at about 30 weeks, but it seemed silly to change after so long on the Zofran, and in the end it was a case of - 'if it aint broke, don't fix it!'. But to answer your question, Zofran not only stops the vomitting it almost totally controls the nausea aswell! I can eat, smell foods I otherwise couldn't stand, etc etc, and I'm fine! It is truly a MIRACLE drug with capital M! If you require it in your next pregnancy, do not hesitate.

Hope that helps!

[starstar]

That's really great to hear that those drugs have been prescribed for all you gals with no ill effects. But when I spoke to my OB two days ago, he said he was reluctant to prescribe anything other than Stemetil and Maxalon in the first trimester. Maybe he's just being cautious? If I knew there was no danger in taking something like Zofran I'd be onto it in a flash but I guess doc knows best as they say so am just trying to hang in there and wait til 2nd trimester...

:barf: :banghead: :barf:

[*Kimmy*]

Starstar, your Doc is definitely right about the first trimester. I was not put on Zofran till I was 13 weeks. I had to suffer in hospy on a drip till then! Even though my case was severe, and my dehydration was becoming a real concern, they refused to put me on the drug till the first trimester was past.

Perhaps after this time, your doc may suggest it for you if it's still severe for you? Good Luck!

[Rell]

Thats interesting maybe it just depends on the Dr. I was given Zofran from 8weeks after being admitted to hospital 3 times. The OB was a bit reluctant and being a public hospital had to get permission before giveing me some to take home (Zofran is NOT on the PBS for HG:thumbsdown: ) When I was finnaly given it my BP was extramly low and pulse was extramly high not sure if that was the reason they gave it too me at 8weeks.
I wish both of you all the best with your pregnancys. When you hold your little baby at the end it does make it worth while

[joozi]

Hi there
I was on Zofran, but only until about 17 weeks (from around 10weeks from memory)....I couldn't tolerate maxalon or stemetil, they gave me palpitations and made me worse. I was in hospital constantly being rehydrated, and zofran was the only thing that worked, took both the nausea and vomiting away. The only problem was its exhorbitant cost.....
Anyway, I had a healthy 3.75Kg girls in May. If I were to get pregnant again I'd go straight on to the Zofran!
Good luck with the delivery if it hasn't already happened!

[perthmummie]

I spent my entire in hospital from 6 weeks u until I gave birth at 34 weeks. No drug worked to stop the vomiting until I was givin Zofran... up until 23 weeks only the injections worked but aftter that I could have the tablets that melt in your mouth and was sent home with them and when they ran out would end up in hospita;l again. as u know zofran is very costly!!!
Alot of doc's will not give u zofran because there are no studies which say if they are unsafe or not, but it is widely used in America as I have done alot of research on it. I was petrified of taking it but it was the only thing that controlled my all day sickness. Needless to say for 34 weekers I had very healthy 2.3kg boys (which is the average size of full term twins!)
One of my boys has hearing problems and they say Zofran could be a risk factor but as far as I am concerned there is no research that says Zofrn is harmful to unborn children.
My 13 yr old brother has been on Zofran for he past 6 years due to being sick from his medications and his doc's say it is fine!
Good luck with ur bub!:smiliedance:

[Sheer Bliss]

I am 8weeks pregnant and was on maxalon for 2weeks after being in hospital on a drip, and have just taken my first Zofran half-tablet this morning. I felt great this morning - only a tad nauseas, but just :barf: before - so not sure what is going on now. My OB said that Maxalon is cat A - Safe, Zofran is category B2 - safe, but with limited testing, and stemitil is cat C - so still safe, but slightly more risk. He also said Zofran is not always commonly prescribed because of the cost!! But i just want to feel normal again!

For anyone taking/who has taken Zofran - what dosage were you on? I hate taking any drugs while pregnant, but i work & have an 18month old so i still need to be able to function like a normal human!
And i was wondering why some drs have said not to take in the first trimester?

[Rell]

Hi charlis_mum
Sorry to hear you are having such a tough time. I had HD with my second so I know how difficult it is to try and deal with an active toddler when you are constantly sick.
When I was on Zofren I was taking 1 tablet (or wafer) twice a day. It didn't compleatly stop the nausea and I still had the very occasional :barf: but it sure was my life saver.


Oh I also wouldn't have survived without the DVD player. My DD had just turned 2 and during the day she would watch way too much TV. I did feel a little guilty but I realy didn't have much choise.

Good luck I hope the Zofren starts working for you.

[melissadaley]

Wen't to the doctor this morning to discuss options if I have hd with my next pregnancy (planning for early 06). Likely as I had with my 1st and have history in my family.

We discussed Zofran and doc said it is a B1 drug but if you need it take it. He did mention that it was expensive. Can someone let me know what it costs per tablet. Rell's you mentioned you took 2 tablets a day. I just googled cost of Zofran and it said around $20 a tablet. I added it up over 40 weeks, twice a day over $10,000. That's an expensive bub. I know it's unlikely you would need for the whole time, just wanted to be able to factor it in. Thank god for the baby bonus hey!

[Sheer Bliss]

My packet was $58.61 for 4 tablets. That was at an Amcal Chemist (not sure if it differs between chemists) So far at 1/2 a tablet a day twice a day it is doing not much. I felt better on the Maxalon. But Dr is going to call me thisafternoon to discuss - hopefully we'll get it figured out soon!!

[Rell]

When I was on it (2 1/2 years ago)I was told it costs $60 a tablet so it looks like it has come down since then.
I went public and the OB at the hospital, after several admisionsgot permision for me to be given it through the hospital at no cost. Otherwise I don't think we would have been able to afford it.

[*Kimmy*]

I wonder if the cost varies from state to state? I'm in Adelaide, and I hear that the cost is approx $60/tablet if purchased from the chemist, but my hospy refuses to give a script for the chemist to fill - they only provide me with hospital prescriptions, which means I need to get them filled at the hospital pharmacy. This costs me $28.60 for 20. MUCH CHEAPER! I'm not sure if every hospital does this, or if it depends on the state. Might want to do some enquiring with the hospitals.

Charlis_mum - I am on 4mg tablets/wafers, and can now manage once a day with them. At my peak, I was on 2 per day. Although in the last few days my sickness has worsened slightly - I think that's more the idea of my body rejecting STILL being pregnant - I'm overdue! :laughing:

Good luck everyone.

[melissadaley]

Thanks for your help girls.

excitedmummy2b - As they say knowledge is power, and if they don't offer for me to get it through the hospital I will definately be asking.... All the best with the bub hopefully it won't be too much longer now..

[Sheer Bliss]

I have been taking maxalon for the last month or so - makes me stop the :barf: but still feel like **** - so I thought i'd try Zofran again - it's working a little better now. I am hoping it is becasue I am 12weeks & the sickness is on it'sway out. Hopefully with the Zofran I can go back to work in a week or two. I took 4mg this morning & then 4mg at about4pm - hoping that will let me survive dinner time. :fingerscrossed: