DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Dolasetron Tablets (dol-A-se-tron)
Brand Name: Anzemet

Anzemet is used for:

Preventing nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy. It may also be used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting after surgery.

Anzemet is an antiemetic. It works by blocking the hormone that causes vomiting.

Do NOT use Anzemet if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Anzemet

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 heart problems (eg, irregular heartbeat, especially if it is due to QT prolongation) or low potassium or magnesium levels in the blood

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Anzemet. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Astemizole, cisapride, class I or III antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, sotalol), diuretics (eg, furosemide), dofetilide, droperidol, ketolides (eg, telithromycin), macrolides (eg, erythromycin), phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), pimozide, quinolones (eg, grepafloxacin), streptogramins (eg, mikamycin), terfenadine, or ziprasidone because the risk of irregular heart rhythm is increased

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:

• This medicine 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.
• Use 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 using Anzemet, check with your doctor.
• Do not give Anzemet to CHILDREN who are unable to swallow tablets.
• Anzemet should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 2 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• 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; fever; headache; indigestion; itching; lightheadedness; 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 or irregular heartbeat; chest pain; fainting; pounding in the chest; severe lightheadedness; urination problems.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

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.
• This medicine 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.

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.