Dolasetron As Antiemetic.

Brand Name : Anzemet.

Dolasetron is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy, anesthesia, or surgery. Dolasetron is in a class of medications called serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. It works by blocking the vomiting reflex in the brain.

Dolasetron comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken within 1 hour before chemotherapy or within 2 hours before surgery. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take dolasetron exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Before taking dolasetron,

* tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to dolasetron, alosetron (Lotronex), granisetron (Kytril), ondansetron (Zofran), or any other medications.
* tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: cimetidine (Tagamet); cisapride (Propulsid); diuretics ('water pills'); dofetilide (Tikosyn); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); medications for irregular heartbeat such as amiodarone (Cordarone), disopyramide (Norpace), pimozide (Orap), procainamide (Procanbid, Pronestyl), quinidine (Quinidex), and sotalol (Betapace, Betapace AF); moxifloxacin (Avelox); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); sparfloxacin (Zagam); and thioridazine (Mellaril). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
* tell your doctor if you have or have ever had low blood levels of magnesium or potassium, or heart disease.
* tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking dolasetron, call your doctor.

Dolasetron may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

* headache
* diarrhea
* excessive tiredness
* dizziness
* pain
* heartburn
* chills
* rash
* fever
* itching

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptom is uncommon, but if you experience it, call your doctor immediately:

* rapid, pounding , or irregular heartbeat

Dolasetron may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

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