Zofran and Headaches: What Users Say

• Dan...
• August 19, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "This is the best medicine for vomiting I have ever had. I was on IV antibiotics with a lot of side effects, especially nausea, and the antibiotics could not be changed. I literally could not hold down water. I had to be on them for 3 months, and Zofran (both IV and ODT) helped me immensely. I was able to drink and even eat a little with much less nausea. People have to remember no medication may make symptoms resolve completely every time, but this comes pretty close. When I took it for regular nausea from a virus or something, it worked like 100% nausea gone. For me, there were no side effects, and again people have to remember if you're sick, some of the symptoms may not be side effects. If you're vomiting repeatedly and are dehydrated, of course, you're going to have a headache. But everyone is different, so what works for one may not have the same effects for another. But I'm a health care worker, and whoever is given Zofran usually has relief, so give it a try if your doctor says it's okay! Good luck."

• Kay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 26, 2016

For Nausea/Vomiting "Zofran is a miracle drug! I've had this medication for several years on an as-needed basis. With my IBS and anxiety, I tend to get nauseous easily. Whatever the cause of my nausea may be, Zofran works every single time. Now that it's dissolvable, it makes it so much easier to take. The relief happens within 20-30 minutes, and usually 1 tablet is all I need. I do experience 2 side effects each and every time: a painful headache after the drug wears off (6-8 hours after taken) and constipation (practically nonexistent bowel movements) for 2-3 days. For the headache, OTC migraine meds work best. The constipation isn't bothersome enough for me to treat."

• Gar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "I like the Zofran pills when they actually work, but it seems like I have to take a pill, throw up, and then take another for it to be effective. Also, I always wake up with a headache once taken. I do want to note that when I was given Zofran in the hospital through the IV, I had no issues with nausea, it’s only when I take it orally that it does the opposite of what I’d like. All bodies are different, and this is just my reaction. I am on a low dose and have not upped the amount I’m taking. $45 for 15 pills (without insurance), and I’ve puked up half of them. Not worth it, especially when an anti-nausea causes nauseous."

• A g...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2017

For Nausea/Vomiting "I've been on Zofran multiple times. For nausea and vomiting due to a digestive disorder I had, and when I was pregnant (24/7 sickness for most of the pregnancy). For the pregnancy, it was okay. It took the edge off. Nothing can ever truly 100% help that level of constant nausea, but it kept me from vomiting, so I was able to keep down water and food. For the digestive problem causing sickness, it was a miracle. Gives me a headache but well worth it. Going from feeling so sick to feeling way better. It works wonders."

• Mar...
• April 30, 2016

For Nausea/Vomiting "I've been dealing with extreme nausea and vomiting for the past 6 months, and it finally got to the point where I couldn't take it anymore and went to the ER. They gave me Zofran through IV and was feeling better in about an hour. After I was released, I was on 4 mg every 8 hours, and for about a week, I was back to my old self. Then things started to go downhill, and they boosted it to 8 mg. Now it doesn't even work anymore and makes me more nauseous than I was before. I also got pretty bad constipation and headaches after taking the medication. Not to mention, if you're taking the tablets, be ready to handle the taste because it is DISGUSTING."

• mom...
• September 23, 2009

For Nausea/Vomiting "I take this medicine for severe morning sickness. I would have lost my job if it weren't for this medicine! It's the best! I only have good things to say about it! The only side effects I have are light headaches, anxiety at night sometimes, not often, and constipation, but I will take any of those any day over having to be glued to the toilet and in bed for 3 or more months!"

• Juj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2021

For Nausea/Vomiting "Acute vomiting - was given IV push Zofran. Within minutes, a headache ensued. Massive headache, which I did not know or was told can be a side effect. Released from ER 2 hours later, MASSIVE MASSIVE HEADACHE! Headache got worse and worse over the next 3 days. Had to then take Excedrin for headache and had instant digestive pain - NEVER EVER IN MY LIFE HAVE I HAD DIGESTIVE PAIN! Within 24 hours, had shoulder pain in both shoulders - that radiated down both arms. Nausea gone and vomit gone the next day. Since Tuesday at the ER, I am bedridden still on Saturday with massive headache still - shoulder pain and what feels like an ulcer. I'd have been better off living through the vomit. Especially since at 61 years old - headache, digestive pain, shoulder pain have never ever been an issue for me."

• gal...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 18, 2022

For Gastroenteritis "I had my gallbladder removed and was diagnosed with gastroenteritis almost 10 years ago now! I never quite got better, I still have nausea and gut discomfort to this day, but I am sure anxiety has a lot to do with my issues. I take 4 mg Zofran when I feel really bad and haven't been able to eat. It really relaxes my stomach and allows me to feel like eating again. I have a pre-existing heart issue, which doesn't seem to be overly reactive when taking Zofran, but I don't take more than a couple pills a week. I also don't feel very dizzy when taking it, and if I did have a headache, it doesn't get worse with Zofran. Generally helps me more than hinders!"

• cou...
• September 2, 2009

For Nausea/Vomiting "Was prescribed this medicine for morning sickness, which lasted the entire first trimester of my pregnancy. Worked great, I was able to function and without feeling dopey or drowsy. The only drawbacks were the terrible headaches and expense of the drug, with insurance, it was $50. The headaches were a welcome trade-off to feeling like death for 90 days."

• Vin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2018

For Nausea/Vomiting "I take another drug that causes severe nausea. Zofran was prescribed; the nausea stopped, but the other side effects from Zofran were so overwhelming that I had to stop taking it. The side effects were diarrhea, headaches, blood in stool, dizziness, and yes, nausea. I couldn't drive, so I'll live with the nausea until I see my endocrinologist again and (maybe) he suggests something else. Bottom line: the side effects of Zofran outweigh the benefits."

• Anonymous
• November 12, 2009

For Nausea/Vomiting "My doctor prescribed this to me in the first trimester of pregnancy to help control my vomiting. I was not able to keep anything in my stomach, including fluids, so I was becoming dehydrated and was near hospitalization. The first night I took it, I immediately felt better and was able to eat again within an hour. It did give me a slight headache after a few days of using it, but it was well worth it to be able to eat without getting sick!"

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 4, 2022

For Nausea/Vomiting "It works okay. I wish it worked better for me because I struggle greatly with nausea and vomiting due to anxiety and panic disorder, as well as IBS. I have still vomited despite taking this medication before. Doctors love to prescribe it because it's very tolerable, but it won't be a cure-all. It works maybe 75% of the time to prevent vomiting. Helps just slightly with nausea. But it's better than nothing! The only side effect I get is dizziness and a mild headache."

• Ott...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2022

For Nausea/Vomiting "I was given this for nausea from gastritis. It really didn't help the nausea, but it did give me a headache, made me very tired, that I had to lay down, and then gave me short, awful nightmares that I woke from with something like an electrical shock. It also made my breathing shallow, and like many, the next day I was very constipated. It was not a pleasant experience all around. I find non-prescription products much better than this for nausea. This made me feel much worse, and I would never use it again."

• BEE...
• April 1, 2018

For Nausea/Vomiting "I was prescribed this for nausea and vomiting several different times by Dr. I have anxiety that leads to vomiting and nausea. Zofran did not stop the nausea or vomiting and gave me a horrible headache that nothing would stop. Phenergan is the better of the two for me."

• Bri...
• February 2, 2016

For Nausea/Vomiting "Was given this drug while pregnant for morning sickness. Didn't help at all, gave me a headache and actually made me throw up a few times. My son was also born with a genetic mutation - Epidermal Nevus syndrome, which I'm sure is from the Zofran as it is not approved for use during pregnancy. If I could go back in time, I would NOT have used this during pregnancy. I was also given this drug several times for gastroenteritis with the same result - headache and increased vomiting. Did not work for me."

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2016

For Nausea/Vomiting "Did not improve nausea. It gave me a migraine-like headache."

• Tan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2014

For Nausea/Vomiting "I was given Zofran for nausea. I took it for one day. It took care of the nausea but gave me a bad headache, so I am asking for something else."

• Anonymous
• August 29, 2009

For Nausea/Vomiting "This medicine works extremely well, however, the next morning had a massive 'hangover.' I have a horrible headache and feel like my head weighs a ton."

• Anonymous
• December 16, 2010

For Nausea/Vomiting "Caused severe constipation, but at least I could keep liquids and solids down. Had a headache when tapering off."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2022

For Nausea/Vomiting "I found it to work very well, however, I had headaches and constipation while using it, which personally I found to not make it worth it to take the medication."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 28, 2023

"This medicine is the only reason I can eat and keeps me out of the hospital. Side effects for me occasionally are a small headache the next day, but worth it to not vomit."