Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

ONDANSETRON

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Antinauseant, antiemetic. Control of nausea and vomiting which follows radiotherapy,
chemotherapy. Specific serotonin (5HT3) receptor antagonist. May also be administered
intravenously for prevention of post operative nausea. Use only under physicians
directions.

SYNONYMS

C18-H19-N3-O, "4H-carbazol-4-one, 1, 2, 3, 9-tetrahydro-9-methyl-3-[(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-
1-yl)methyl]-", "4H-carbazol-4-one, 1, 2, 3, 9-tetrahydro-9-methyl-3-[(2-methyl-1H-
imidazol-1-yl)methyl]-", "1, 2, 3, 9-tetrahydro-9-methyl-3-[(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-
yl)methyl]-4H-carbazol-4-one", "1, 2, 3, 9-tetrahydro-9-methyl-3-[(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-
yl)methyl]-4H-carbazol-4-one", Zofran, "Zofran ODT", Zophren, Zudan, PMS-ondansetron,
Ratio-ondansetron, "Sandoz ondansetron", PHL-ondansetron, Novo-ondansetron, Apo-
ondansetron

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Risk of serious damage to eyes.
Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long- term adverse effects in the
aquatic environment.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Toxic effects may result from the accidental ingestion of the material; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 40 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  

EYE

  If applied to the eyes, this material causes severe eye damage.  

SKIN

  Skin contact is not thought to produce harmful health effects (as classified using animal models). Systemic harm, however, has been identified following exposure of animals by at least one other route and the material may still produce health damage following entry through wounds, lesions or abrasions. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material.  Entry into the blood-stream, through, for example, cuts, abrasions or lesions, may produce systemic injury with harmful effects. Examine the skin prior to the use of the material and ensure that any external damage is suitably protected.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of dusts, or fume, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  Inhalation of dusts, generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may be damaging to the health of the individual.  Persons with impaired respiratory function, airway diseases and conditions such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, may incur further disability if excessive concentrations of particulate are inhaled.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  There is some evidence that inhaling this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  There is limited evidence that, skin contact with this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  Long term exposure to high dust concentrations may cause changes in lung function i.e. pneumoconiosis; caused by particles less than 0.5 micron penetrating and remaining in the lung. Prime symptom is breathlessness; lung shadows show on X-ray.  Exposure to small quantities may induce hypersensitivity reactions characterized by acute bronchospasm, hives (urticaria), deep dermal wheals (angioneurotic edema), running nose (rhinitis) and blurred vision . Anaphylactic shock and skin rash (non-thrombocytopenic purpura) may occur. An individual may be predisposed to such anti-body mediated reaction if other chemical agents have caused prior sensitization (cross-sensitivity).  Sensitization may give severe responses to very low levels of exposure, i.e. hypersensitivity. Sensitized persons should not be allowed to work in situations where exposure may occur.  The use of this drug has caused rare reports of immediate severe hypersensitivity reactions.  Long term animal testing with intravenous dosing showed toxic changes in endocrine, brain and reproductive organs.