Dolasetron (Injection)

Introduction

Dolasetron Mesylate (doe-LAS-e-tron MES-i-late)

Prevents and treats nausea and vomiting that may happen after surgery.

Brand Name(s)

Anzemet

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins. It is usually given in your arm, wrist, hand, or sometimes in your chest.
• For surgery, this medicine is usually given as a single dose before or after surgery.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• Dolasetron may be mixed with juice and given by mouth to children.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also taking diuretics or "water pills", cimetidine (Tagamet®), rifampin (Rifadin®, Rifamate®, Rimactane®), or medicines to treat heart rhythm problems (such as flecainide, quinidine, verapamil Calan®, Cardioquin®, Isoptin®, Quinaglute®, Tambocor®, or Verelan®).
• Make sure your doctor knows about all cancer medicines you may be receiving, especially drugs like doxorubicin (Adriamycin®) or daunorubicin (Cerubidine®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, congestive heart failure, heart disease, heart rhythm problems (such as prolonged QT, PR, and QRS interval), slow heartbeat, or low potassium or magnesium in the blood.
• This medicine can cause changes in heart rhythms, such as conditions called QT, PR, and QRS prolongation. It may change the way your heart beats and cause fainting or serious side effects in some patients. Contact your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of heart rhythm problems, such as fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeats.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat.
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Diarrhea.
• Headache.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088