DOLASETRON - INJECTION

DOLASETRON - INJECTION

PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION: (doe-LAS-e-tron)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Anzemet

GENERIC NAME(S): dolasetron mesylate

Uses

USES: This medication is used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting after surgery. Dolasetron works by blocking a natural substance in your body (serotonin) that causes vomiting. This medication should not be given by injection into a vein to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer drug treatment (chemotherapy) due to an increased risk of serious side effects (such as QT prolongation). This product has been withdrawn from the Canadian market due to problems with safety or effectiveness.


How to use DOLASETRON - INJECTION

HOW TO USE: This medication is given by injection into a vein by a health care professional. To prevent nausea and vomiting, it is given as directed by your doctor, usually 15 minutes before the start of surgery. To treat nausea or vomiting, it should be given as soon as you have symptoms. If you are using this medication at home, learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional. Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Learn how to store and discard medical supplies safely. This liquid product for injection may also be mixed in apple or apple-grape juice and taken by mouth. The juice mixture may be kept up to 2 hours at room temperature before use. However, it is safer to mix the medication right before use to prevent accidentally giving the juice mixture into a vein. When this medication is taken by mouth, take it with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually within 2 hours before the start of surgery. The juice mixture may also be used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually 1 hour before the start of chemotherapy. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. In children, the dosage may also be based on weight and age. Use this medication exactly as prescribed to get the most benefit from it. Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you vomit or feel nauseated.

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS: Headache, diarrhea, dizziness, lightheadedness, or pain/redness/swelling at the injection site may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: stomach/abdominal pain, vision changes. Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: chest pain, severe dizziness, fainting, slow/fast/irregular heartbeat. This medication may increase serotonin and rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome/toxicity. The risk increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin, so tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take (see Drug Interactions section). Get medical help right away if you develop some of the following symptoms: fast heartbeat, hallucinations, loss of coordination, severe dizziness, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, twitching muscles, unexplained fever, unusual agitation/restlessness. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

PRECAUTIONS: Before using dolasetron, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other anti-nausea serotonin blockers (such as granisetron, ondansetron); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: stomach/intestinal problems (such as ileus, swelling), kidney disease. Dolasetron may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away. The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT prolongation. Before using dolasetron, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take and if you have any of the following conditions: certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death). Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you use certain drugs (such as diuretics/"water pills") or if you have conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using dolasetron safely. This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Children with heart problems may be more sensitive to side effects of this drug, especially irregular heartbeat. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially irregular heartbeat and QT prolongation (see above). During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: apomorphine, drugs that can slow the heart rate (such as beta blockers including atenolol, calcium channel blockers including verapamil). Many drugs besides dolasetron may affect the heart rhythm (QT prolongation), including amiodarone, dofetilide, flecainide, pimozide, procainamide, quinidine, ziprasidone, among others. The risk of serotonin syndrome/toxicity increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin. Examples include street drugs such as MDMA/"ecstasy," St. John's wort, certain antidepressants (including SSRIs such as fluoxetine/paroxetine, SNRIs such as duloxetine/venlafaxine), among others. The risk of serotonin syndrome/toxicity may be more likely when you start or increase the dose of these drugs.

Overdose

OVERDOSE: If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

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Disclaimer

IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.