Brand Name(s):

• Anzemet®

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

Dolasetron is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy, anesthesia, or surgery in adults and children 2 years of age and older. Dolasetron is in a class of medications called serotonin 5-HT3receptor antagonists. It works by blocking the action of serotonin, a natural substance that may cause nausea and vomiting.

HOW should this medicine be used?

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.

For children unable to swallow the tablet, dolasetron injection liquid may be mixed in apple or apple-grape juice to take by mouth. This mixture may be kept at room temperature, but must be used within two hours after mixing.

Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

Before taking dolasetron,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to dolasetron, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in dolasetron tablets. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: atenolol (Tenormin); cimetidine (Tagamet); diuretics ('water pills'); medications for irregular heartbeat including flecainide (Tambocor), quinidine (Quinidex, Quinaglute, others), and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan, in Tarka); ; and rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane). . Also tell your doctor if you are receiving or have ever received certain cancer chemotherapy medications such as daunorubicin (Cerubidine, DaunoXome), doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Rubex), epirubicin (Ellence), idarubicin (Zevalin), mitoxantrone (Novantrone), or valrubicin.Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had long QT syndrome (condition that increases the risk of developing an irregular heartbeat that may cause fainting or sudden death), or another type of irregular heart beat or heart rhythm problem, or if you have or have ever had low blood levels of magnesium or potassium in your blood,a heart attack, congestive heart failure (CHF; condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to other parts of the body),or heart or kidney 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.

What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?

What should I know about STORAGE and DISPOSAL of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light and excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your healthcare provider about the proper disposal of your medication.

What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• dizziness
• fainting
• rapid, pounding, or irregular heart beat

What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

Keep all appointments with you doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

Selected Revisions: November 15, 2011.