Anzemet Side Effects

Generic name: dolasetron

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 17, 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: intravenous solution.

Other dosage forms:

• oral tablet

Precautions

Check with your doctor if severe nausea and vomiting continue after leaving the hospital.

This medicine can cause changes in 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 any symptoms of heart rhythm problems, such as 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®), medicines 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).

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.

Common 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 or rare

• acid or sour stomach
• bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
• belching
• burning sensation or pain at the injection site
• change in taste
• changes in vision
• constipation
• difficulty with breathing
• difficulty with moving
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• heartburn
• indigestion
• joint pain
• muscle aching or cramping
• muscle pains or stiffness
• noisy breathing
• sensation of spinning
• stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
• strange dreams
• swollen joints

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 or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking dolasetron:

See also:

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]

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.

Medical Disclaimer