dolasetron (oral)

What is the most important information I should know about dolasetron?

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What is dolasetron?

Dolasetron blocks the actions of chemicals in the body that can trigger nausea and vomiting.

Dolasetron oral (taken by mouth) is used to prevent nausea and vomiting that may be caused by medicine to treat cancer (chemotherapy).

Dolasetron may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking dolasetron?

To make sure you can safely take dolasetron, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease;
• a serious heart condition such as "sick sinus syndrome";
• a heart rhythm disorder such as slow heartbeats, or atrial fibrillation (fast, irregular heart rhythm);
• personal or family history of long QT syndrome;
• congestive heart failure; or
• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood).

How should I take dolasetron?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Dolasetron is usually taken 1 hour before chemotherapy. Follow your doctor's instructions.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Tell your doctor if you forget to take your dose within 1 hour before chemotherapy. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking dolasetron?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What are the possible side effects of dolasetron?

• headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• slow heart rate, weak pulse, slow breathing;
• swelling in your hands or feet;
• little or no urinating; or
• high levels of serotonin in the body --agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting.

Common side effects may include:

• mild headache;
• mild dizziness;
• drowsiness; or
• pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect dolasetron?

Dolasetron can cause a serious heart problem, especially if you use certain medicines at the same time, including antibiotics, antidepressants, heart rhythm medicine, antipsychotic medicines, and medicines to treat cancer, malaria, HIV or AIDS. Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with dolasetron.

• medicine to treat depression;
• medicine to treat a psychiatric disorder;
• a narcotic (opioid) medication; or
• medicine to prevent nausea and vomiting.

This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with dolasetron. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about dolasetron oral.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.03. Revision date: 9/28/2016.