Anzemet Side Effects
Generic name: dolasetron
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 11, 2025.
Note: This document provides detailed information about Anzemet Side Effects associated with dolasetron. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Anzemet.
Applies to dolasetron: oral tablet.
Other dosage forms:
Precautions
Check with your doctor if severe nausea and vomiting continue after leaving the hospital or cancer treatment center.
This medicine can cause changes heart rhythms, such as conditions called QT, PR, and QRS prolongation. It may change the way your heart beats and cause fainting or serious side effects in some patients. Contact your doctor right away if you have a fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeats.
Dolasetron may cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome if taken together with some medicines such as fentanyl (Abstral®, Duragesic®), lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®), a MAO inhibitor (such as methylene blue injection, Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®), medicine to treat migraine headaches, or medicine to treat depression (eg, fluoxetine, mirtazapine, paroxetine, Celexa®, Effexor®, Lexapro®, Paxil®, Zoloft®). Check with your doctor first before taking any other medicines with dolasetron (the active ingredient contained in Anzemet) /i>.
Do not Stop taking dolasetron without checking first with your doctor. Your doctor may gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping completely.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Serious side effects of Anzemet
Along with its needed effects, dolasetron may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking dolasetron:
More common side effects
- chest pain or discomfort
- lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
- slow or irregular heartbeat
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common side effects
- chills
- decrease in the amount of urine
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- fever
Rare side effects
- agitation
- black, tarry stools
- bleeding gums
- bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
- blood in the urine or stools
- blurred vision
- burning while urinating
- changes in skin color
- confusion
- cough
- delirium
- depression
- diarrhea
- difficult or labored breathing
- difficult or painful urination
- difficulty with swallowing
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- feeling of warmth
- feeling uncoordinated
- frequent urination
- hallucinations
- headache
- hives or welts, itching, or skin rash
- increased volume of pale, dilute urine
- irritability
- lethargy
- muscle twitching
- nausea
- noisy breathing
- numbness and tingling of the face, fingers, or toes
- pain in the arms, legs, or lower back, especially pain in the calves or heels upon exertion
- pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg
- pale skin
- pale, bluish-colored, or cold hands or feet
- pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- rapid weight gain
- red skin
- rigid muscles
- seizures
- sweating
- swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
- tightness in the chest
- tingling of the hands or feet
- tremor
- troubled breathing with exertion
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual weight gain or loss
- vomiting
- weak or absent pulses in the legs
Other side effects of Anzemet
Some side effects of dolasetron may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common side effects
- belching
- heartburn
- indigestion
- pain
- stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
Rare side effects
- abnormal dreams
- bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
- bloating
- bloody nose
- change in taste
- changes in vision
- continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
- darkened urine
- difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
- difficulty seeing at night
- difficulty with moving
- feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
- feeling of unreality
- hearing loss
- increased sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight
- increased sweating
- joint pain
- loss of appetite
- muscle aching or cramping
- muscle pain or stiffness
- pain or burning sensation at the injection site
- pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
- redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
- sensation of spinning
- sense of detachment from self or body
- shakiness and unsteady walk
- shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
- swollen joints
- unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
- weight loss
- yellow eyes or skin
For healthcare professionals
Applies to dolasetron: intravenous solution, oral tablet.
General adverse events
The most common side effects include headache, constipation, sleep disorders, and dizziness.[Ref]
Nervous system
- Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 41.1%), dizziness (up to 12.5%), drowsiness (up to 10.5%)
- Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Seizure, syncope
- Frequency not reported: Taste perversion, vertigo, paresthesia, tremor, ataxia
- Postmarketing reports: Loss of consciousness[Ref]
Loss of consciousness may occur immediately/closely after an IV bolus in patients receiving treatment for prophylaxis of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting.
Headache and dizziness occurred more frequently at higher doses.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
- Very common (10% or more): Constipation (up to 28.6%), dyspepsia (up to 12.8%), diarrhea (up to 11.1%), abdominal pain (up to 10.2%)
- Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Intestinal obstruction, pancreatitis[Ref]
Psychiatric
- Very common (10% or more): Sleep disorder (up to 12.8%)
- Frequency not reported: Agitation, depersonalization, confusion, anxiety, abnormal dreaming[Ref]
Other
- Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (up to 12.2%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Pain, fever, chills/shivering
- Frequency not reported: Tinnitus
- Postmarketing reports: Facial edema[Ref]
Cardiovascular
- Common (1% to 10%): Bradycardia (mostly sinus), hypotension, tachycardia (mostly sinus)
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chest pain, orthostatic hypotension, hypertension
- Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Myocardial ischemia, edema
- Frequency not reported: T wave change, ST-T wave change, sinus arrhythmia, extrasystole (atrial/ventricular premature contractions), poor R wave progression, left and right bundle branch block, nodal arrhythmias, U wave change, atrial flutter/fibrillation, peripheral edema, Mobitz I AV block, palpitations, peripheral ischemia, thrombophlebitis/phlebitis
- Postmarketing reports: Severe hypotension, wide complex tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation/cardiac arrest, shock[Ref]
Severe hypotension and bradycardia occurred immediately/closely after an IV bolus in patients receiving treatment for prophylaxis of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting.
Wide complex tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation/cardiac arrest were rarely reported after IV administration.[Ref]
Hepatic
- Common (1% to 10%): Increased serum transaminases (AST, ALT)
- Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Jaundice
- Frequency not reported: Hyperbilirubinemia, increased GGT[Ref]
Increased serum transaminases occurred more frequently in patients treated during IV chemotherapy/radiotherapy than those treated during postoperative therapy/IV surgery; however, the increases did not appear to be related to dose/duration of therapy, and were not associated with symptomatic hepatic disease.[Ref]
Respiratory
Respiratory side effects have rarely included dyspnea and bronchospasm.[Ref]
Hematologic
- Frequency not reported: Prothrombin time prolonged, partial thromboplastin time (PTT) increased, anemia, purpura/hematoma, thrombocytopenia[Ref]
Genitourinary
- Frequency not reported: Hematuria, dysuria, urinary retention, polyuria[Ref]
Dermatologic
- Frequency not reported: Increased sweating, flushing, rash
- Postmarketing reports: Urticaria[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
- Frequency not reported: Myalgia, arthralgia, twitching[Ref]
Metabolic
- Frequency not reported: Anorexia, increased alkaline phosphatase[Ref]
Ocular
- Frequency not reported: Abnormal vision, photophobia[Ref]
Renal
- Frequency not reported: Acute renal failure[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
- Postmarketing reports: Anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions, angioedema[Ref]
Local
- Postmarketing reports: Local pain/burning (IV formulation)[Ref]
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References
1. (2001) "Product Information. Anzemet (dolasetron)." Hoechst Marion Roussel
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
More about Anzemet (dolasetron)
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Patient resources
- Anzemet drug information
- Anzemet (Dolasetron Intravenous) (Advanced Reading)
- Anzemet (Dolasetron Oral) (Advanced Reading)
Professional resources
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Further information
Anzemet side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.
