Pronunciation: doe-LAS-e-tron
Generic Name: Dolasetron
Brand Name: Anzemet
Anzemet is used for:
Preventing nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy. It may also be used to prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery.
Anzemet is a serotonin 5-HT3 receptor blocker. It works by blocking a substance thought to be a cause of nausea and vomiting in certain situations.
Do NOT use Anzemet if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Anzemet
- you have a certain type of irregular heartbeat (congenital long QT syndrome), or uncorrected low blood potassium or magnesium levels
- you have or are at risk of complete heart block and do not have a pacemaker
- you are taking apomorphine or nilotinib
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Anzemet:
Some medical conditions may interact with Anzemet. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of heart problems (eg, slow or irregular heartbeat, sick sinus syndrome, heart attack, heart failure), kidney problems, or low potassium or magnesium levels in the blood
- if you are taking medicines that may cause a certain type of irregular heartbeat (eg, flecainide, verapamil, quinidine)
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Anzemet. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Anthracyclines (eg, doxorubicin), antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, dofetilide, sotalol), arsenic, astemizole, bepridil, chloroquine, cimetidine, cisapride, diuretics (eg, furosemide), domperidone, droperidol, halofantrine, haloperidol, histone deacetylase inhibitors (eg, romidepsin), iloperidone, ketolides (eg, telithromycin), macrolides (eg, erythromycin), maprotiline, methadone, nilotinib, paliperidone, pentamidine, phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), pimozide, quinolones (eg, levofloxacin), streptogramins (eg, quinupristin/dalfopristin), terfenadine, tetrabenazine, tricyclic antidepressants (eg, nortriptyline), tyrosine kinase inhibitors (eg, sunitinib), or ziprasidone because the risk of irregular heart rhythm is increased
- Apomorphine because the risk of severe low blood pressure or loss of consciousness may be increased
- Rifampin because it may decrease Anzemet's effectiveness
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Anzemet may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Anzemet:
Use Anzemet as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Anzemet by mouth with or without food.
- Take your dose of Anzemet as directed before the start of your cancer treatment or surgery.
- Swallow Anzemet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. Crushing or chewing the tablets may lead to increased side effects or decreased effectiveness, and the tablets will have a bitter, unpleasant taste.
- If you miss a dose of Anzemet, contact your doctor right away.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Anzemet.
Important safety information:
- Anzemet may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Anzemet with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Anzemet may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
- Do NOT take more than the recommended dose of Anzemet without checking with your doctor.
- If you are taking Anzemet to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy, take Anzemet only on the days that you take your cancer treatment unless otherwise directed by your doctor. If you continue to experience moderate to severe vomiting while taking Anzemet, check with your doctor.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Anzemet before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Lab tests, including electrocardiograms (ECGs) and blood potassium or magnesium levels, may be performed while you use Anzemet. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Anzemet with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially irregular heartbeat.
- Do not give Anzemet to CHILDREN who are unable to swallow tablets.
- Anzemet should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 2 years; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- Caution is advised when using Anzemet in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Anzemet while you are pregnant. It is not known if Anzemet is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Anzemet, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Anzemet:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Chills; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; indigestion; tiredness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); change in heartbeat (including fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat); chest pain; fainting; lightheadedness; numbness or pain of an arm or leg; pounding in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden, severe headache, stomach pain, dizziness, or vomiting; sudden vision changes; urination problems.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Anzemet side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; irregular heartbeat; severe dizziness.
Proper storage of Anzemet:
Store Anzemet at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Anzemet out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Anzemet, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Anzemet is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Anzemet. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Anzemet resources
- Anzemet Side Effects (in more detail)
- Anzemet Dosage
- Anzemet Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Anzemet Drug Interactions
- Anzemet Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Anzemet - Add your own review/rating
Compare Anzemet with other medications
- Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced
- Nausea/Vomiting, Postoperative
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