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ONDANSETRON HYDROCHLORIDE

All products: Limited Use (codes 215, 216, 217, 218, 454, 696)

Other products in the same Health Canada class (A04A, A04AA) — coverage varies; not interchangeable

  • Granisetron (Kytril): limited Use 326, 454, Not a benefit
  • Netupitant + palonosetron (Akynzeo): limited Use 561, 562
  • Ondansetron (Zofran): not a benefit
  • Nabilone (Cesamet): general benefit, Not a benefit
  • Aprepitant (Emend Tri-Pack): limited Use 452, 453

Ondansetron ODT (Tablet) · DIN 02481731 · 8mg ·

Limited Use — Reason for Use code 215, 216, 217, 218, 454, 696 requiredMarketed · checked 2026-09-02
StatusLimited Use — Reason for Use code 215, 216, 217, 218, 454, 696 required
Write on scriptLU code 215, 216, 217, 218, 454, 696 (patient must meet the criteria below)
Patient paysPatient pays: program not supplied; amount cannot be determined.
Private plan unknown: ask. If yes, check its coverage and payer coordination; if no, see the public routes below.
Ontario Limited Use criteria — code 215, 216, 217, 218, 454, 696
Reason for Use code 215 For the treatment of emesis in cancer patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Coverage limit: LU Authorization Period: 1 year Reason for Use code 216 For patients receiving intravenous chemotherapy or radiation therapy who have not experienced adequate control with other available anti-emetics. Coverage limit: LU Authorization Period: 1 year Reason for Use code 217 For patients receiving intravenous chemotherapy or radiation therapy who experience intolerable side effects with other anti-emetics. Coverage limit: LU Authorization Period: 1 year Reason for Use code 218 For the treatment of emesis in patients receiving radiation therapy which consists of single fraction treatment to the abdominal cavity, hemi-body irradiation and total body irradiation. Coverage limit: The therapeutic value of Ondansetron Hydrochloride more than 24 hours after the last dose of chemotherapy is unproven. Coverage limit: LU Authorization Period: 1 year Reason for Use code 454 For the treatment of emesis in cancer patients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC) regimens. Coverage limit: LU Authorization Period: 1 year Reason for Use code 696 For the treatment of emesis in patients receiving palliative care who are refractory to, intolerant to, or have a contraindication to at least two other anti-emetics. Note: Pharmacists and prescribers should be informed of and stay current with a drug product's official indications in accordance with Health Canada's approved product monograph. Some aspects of the above criteria may differ from the official indications as described in the product monograph for the ondansetron product. The Executive Officer's funding of drug products is informed by advice from experts that consider evidence regarding the safety, clinical efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of drug products. Coverage limit: LU Authorization Period: 1 year
Brand vs generic price
Lowest DBP recovery rule under medically necessary no-substitution claims: 6.2 Medically Necessary "No Substitution" Claims The Side Effect Reporting Form will not have to be renewed. However, the pharmacy must maintain a copy of the prescription that contains a direction that there be no substitution and the required Health Canada Side Effect Reporting Form (completed and signed by the prescriber). The prescriber must write “No Substitution” or “No Sub” on renewal or subsequent new written prescriptions, and indicate “No Substitution” on subsequent new oral prescriptions. The dispenser will be reimbursed the DBP plus a mark-up and the lesser of the posted usual and customary fee or the ODB dispensing fee minus the applicable ODB co-payment amount. Where a completed Side Effect Reporting Form is not available at the pharmacy during an inspection, the difference between the cost of the higher-cost product and the lowest DBP listed for the interchangeable category will be recovered. (ontario.ca, Revision #17; 2026-08-03 ↗) 6.2 Medically Necessary "No Substitution" Claims The Ministry will provide reimbursement of a higher-cost interchangeable product in medically necessary circumstances where a patient has experienced a significant adverse reaction with two (2) lower-cost interchangeable drug products, where available. When a prescriber identifies a patient for which it is medically necessary that a higher cost interchangeable product be provided, the prescriber must: • Complete, sign and forward to the pharmacist a copy of the Health Canada side effect reporting form for each lower-cost interchangeable drug product trialed (Side Effect Reporting Form[s]); and • Write “No Substitution” or “No Sub” on a written prescription or indicate “No Substitution” to the pharmacist in the case of a verbal prescription. The prescriber should keep a copy of the completed form in the patient’s record for future use and reference. In the case of a written prescription, when the pharmacist or dispensing physician receives a prescription with the written notation “No Substitution” or “No Sub”, reimbursement will be provided for the higher-cost interchangeable product only if the prescription is accompanied by a completed Health Canada Side Effect Reporting Form for each of the lower-cost interchangeable drug products trialed. This form must be completely filled out noting the details of the adverse reaction and signed by the prescriber. In the case of a verbal prescription, the prescriber must satisfy the operator of the pharmacy or dispensing physician that a completed Health Canada Side Effect Reporting Form for each of the lower-cost interchangeable drug products trialed has been completed and signed by the prescriber. A written record of this verbal prescription and the completed Health Canada Side Effect Reporting Form must be received by the pharmacy prior to claim submission. Upon receipt, the pharmacist must: • Fax, submit online or mail the completed and signed form to Health Canada’s Canada Vigilance Program; and • Retain his or her copy of the completed and signed Side Effect Reporting Form. (ontario.ca, Revision #17; 2026-08-03 ↗)
1 brand, same coverage
Ondansetron ODT (Tablet) · DIN 02481731 Manufacturer: Sandoz Canada Inc.; listing date 2019-07-31 Health Canada: Marketed since 2019-05-15 · brand ONDANSETRON ODT · ATC A04AA01 ONDANSETRON · form Tablet (orally-disintegrating) · route Oral · ingredients ONDANSETRON 8 MG · company Sandoz canada incorporated · schedule Prescription
Check this DIN again · Health Canada product record

Ministry pays: $3.8840 per source unit.

Source explanation: The formulary price is what ODB pays; the cash price at the counter is set by the pharmacy.

Formulary data: Ontario extract of Aug 26, 2026 · Health Canada DPD extract of Sep 2, 2026 (Open Government Licence – Canada) · https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/info?lang=eng&code=97222 · Verify on the e-Formulary ↗ (DIN 02481731)

Source record
DIN 02481731: Ondansetron ODT (Tablet) Raw flags: sec12=Y, sec3=Y Item: 562200031; group id 671; item number 1663; lccId 00102; manufacturer id SDZ Source form: None; strength: 8mg Recorded listing: Limited Use: paid only with a Reason for Use code and the criteria below Source prices (unrounded): $4.9930; ministry $3.8840 Source: ODB odb-formulary-ed43-extract-2026-08-26.xml extract_date=2026-08-26 DIN=02481731 Health Canada DPD extract of Sep 2, 2026 (Open Government Licence – Canada) · https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/info?lang=eng&code=97222
Interchangeable products
Accel-Ondansetron ODT (Tablet) · DIN 02535327 · $3.8840 Auro-Ondansetron ODT (Tablet) · DIN 02511290 · $3.8840 Jamp Ondansetron ODF (Film) · DIN 02541378 · $3.8840 Mar-Ondansetron ODT Tablet · DIN 02514974 · $3.8840 Mint-Ondansetron ODT (Tablet) · DIN 02487349 · $3.8840 Ondansetron ODT (Tablet) · DIN 02519240 · $3.8840 Ondansetron ODT (Tablet) · DIN 02524287 · $3.8840 Ondissolve ODF (Film) · DIN 02389991 · $3.8840 PMS-Ondansetron ODT Tablet · DIN 02519453 · $3.8840 Zofran ODT (Tablet) · DIN 02239373 · not recorded
Shortage status: resolved shortage (ended 2025-05-19); reports as of 2026-09-13T08:10:21.292534+00:00 (Health Product Shortages Canada) Source: https://healthproductshortages.ca/search?term=02481731
Shortage record checked 2026-09-13T08:10:21.292534+00:00
Other drugs in the same formulary class (56:22 Antiemetics and Antinauseants) and how they are covered

Matched class: 56:22 Antiemetics and Antinauseants

Drug-class inventory only. Lists recorded Ontario formulary products, not every Canadian medication; does not recommend treatment. Covered without a code on the Ontario formulary: DOXYLAMINE SUCCINATE AND PYRIDOXINE HCL, MECLIZINE HCL Some products covered without a code (check the product listing): NABILONE 56:22 Antiemetics and Antinauseants

GRANISETRON HCL

· 4 products · Listed, not a benefit (1), Limited Use, codes 91, 92, 93, 326, 454 (3) · strengths: 1mg · Tab

NETUPITANT & PALONOSETRON HYDROCHLORIDE

· 1 products · Limited Use, codes 561, 562 · strengths: 300mg & 0.5mg · Cap

ONDANSETRON HCL DIHYDRATE

· 6 products · Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit · strengths: 2mg/mL · Inj Sol-2mL Pk, Inj Sol-4mL Pk

NABILONE

· 10 products · Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit (4), General benefit (6) · strengths: 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg · Cap

APREPITANT

· 1 products · Limited Use, codes 452, 453 · strengths: 125mg & 80mg · Cap

DOXYLAMINE SUCCINATE AND PYRIDOXINE HCL

· 4 products · General benefit · strengths: 10mg & 10mg · SR Tab

MECLIZINE HCL

· 1 products · General benefit · strengths: 25mg · Tab

DIMENHYDRINATE

· 2 products · Limited Use, codes 481 · strengths: 50mg/mL · Inj Sol (with Preservative) Source: formulary-ed43-front-matter.txt Part V; ODB odb-formulary-ed43-extract-2026-08-26.xml extract_date=2026-08-26; class 56:22
Full class listing Related classes: 56:04 Antacids and Adsorbents, 56:08 Antidiarrhea Agents, 56:12 Cathartics, 56:16 Digestants, 56:40 Miscellaneous G.I. Drugs Same formulary class, not same indication: class membership alone does not establish equivalent uses.
What the Health Canada label says it is for
1 INDICATIONS Adults (18-64 years of age) pms-ONDANSETRON (ondansetron tablets) is indicated for: • the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with mildly and moderately emetogenic chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. • the maintenance of antiemesis following intravenous doses of ondansetron used for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with highly emetogenic chemotherapy, including cisplatin. • the prevention of post-operative nausea and vomiting. 1.1 Pediatrics (<18 years of age) Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting Associated with Mildly and Moderately Emetogenic Chemotherapy • Pediatrics (4-12 years of age): Based on the data submitted and reviewed by Health Canada, the safety and efficacy of ondansetron in pediatric patients 4-12 years of age has been established. Therefore, Health Canada has authorized an indication for pediatric use. (see 4.2 Recommended Dose and Dosage Adjustment). • Pediatrics (<4 years of age): No data are available to Health Canada; therefore, Health Canada has not authorized an indication for the use of pms-ONDANSETRON in children less than 4 years of age. Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting Associat… https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00077211.PDF PM date: April 19, 2006 Source product: PMS-ONDANSETRON; DIN 02258188; fetched 2026-09-10 Product monograph posted by Health Canada; excerpt for lookup only.