Generic Anti-Nausea Drug Approved

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 27 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first generic versions of Zofran (ondansetron), a drug to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with surgery and chemotherapy.

GlaxoSmithKline's brand-name medication was the 20th best-selling drug in the United States last year, with sales of more than $839 million, the agency said in a statement.

License to produce generic versions was granted to three companies: Dr. Reddy Laboratories of Bridgewater, N.J.; Kali Laboratories of Somerset, N.J.; and Roxane Laboratories of Columbus, Ohio.

Less-expensive generic drugs are now used to fill more than 50 percent of all prescriptions, the FDA said. They are equivalent to the brand name medications in dosage, strength, route of administration, quality, performance, and intended use, the agency added.