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In the U.S.—

Anzemet

• Antiemetic

Dolasetron (dol-A-se-tron) is used to prevent and treat the nausea and vomiting that may occur after treatment with anticancer medicines (chemotherapy) or after surgery.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

Oral
• Tablets (U.S.)

Parenteral
• Injection (U.S.)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For dolasetron, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to dolasetron. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Dolasetron has not been studied in pregnant women. However, this medicine has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether dolasetron passes into the breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children—This medicine has been tested in a limited number of children between 2 and 17 years of age with cancer. In effective doses, this medicine has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.

Older adults—This medicine has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking dolasetron, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines.

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of dolasetron. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems.

Dosing—

The dose of dolasetron will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of dolasetron. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of tablets that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking dolasetron.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For prevention of nausea and vomiting after anticancer medicine:
    • Adults—100 milligrams (mg) given within one hour before the anticancer medicine is given.
    • Children 2 to 16 years of age—1.8 mg per kilogram (kg) (0.82 mg per pound) of body weight given within one hour before the anticancer medicine is given. The dose generally is not greater than 100 mg.
    • Children up to 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For prevention of nausea and vomiting after surgery:
    • Adults—100 mg given within two hours before surgery.
    • Children 2 to 16 years of age—1.2 mg per kg (0.55 mg per pound) of body weight given within two hours before surgery. The dose generally is not greater than 100 mg.
    • Children up to 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For injection dosage form:
  • For prevention of nausea and vomiting after anticancer medicine:
    • Adults—100 milligrams (mg) given into a vein approximately 30 minutes before the anticancer medicine is given.
    • Children 2 to 16 years of age—1.8 mg per kilogram (kg) (0.82 mg per pound) of body weight given into a vein approximately 30 minutes before the anticancer medicine is given. The dose generally is not greater than 100 mg.
    • Children up to 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For prevention of nausea and vomiting after surgery:
    • Adults—12.5 mg given into a vein approximately 15 minutes before anesthesia (medicine to put you to sleep during surgery) is ended.
    • Children 2 to 16 years of age—0.35 mg per kg (0.16 mg per pound) of body weight given into a vein approximately 15 minutes before anesthesia (medicine to put you to sleep during surgery) is ended. The dose generally is not greater than 12.5 mg.
    • Children up to 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For treatment of nausea and vomiting after surgery:
    • Adults—12.5 mg given into a vein as soon as nausea and vomiting start.
    • Children 2 to 16 years of age—0.35 mg per kg (0.16 mg per pound) of body weight given into a vein as soon as nausea and vomiting start. The dose generally is not greater than 12.5 mg.
    • Children up to 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Less common
  • High or low blood pressure 
  
  

• Rare
  • Blood in the urine;  chest pain;  decrease in amount of urine;  fast heartbeat ;  pain;  painful urination or trouble in urinating;  severe stomach pain with nausea or vomiting;  skin rash, hives, and/or itching ;  slow or irregular heartbeat;  swelling of face;  swelling of feet or lower legs ;  troubled breathing 
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

• More common
  • Diarrhea;  headache 
  
  

• Less common
  • Abdominal or stomach pain;  dizziness or lightheadedness;  fever or chills;  unusual tiredness 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Developed: 03/25/1998