Anzemet Side Effects

Generic name: dolasetron

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 25, 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

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:

More common side effects

• headache

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 (the active ingredient contained in Anzemet) 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:

Less common or rare side effects

• agitation
• blurred vision
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• chest pain or discomfort
• chills
• cold sweats
• confusion
• cough
• delirium
• diarrhea
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fainting
• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• feeling of warmth
• feeling uncoordinated
• hallucinations
• hives, itching, or skin rash
• lightheadedness
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
• rigid muscles
• sweating
• tightness in the chest
• tremor
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting

Incidence not known

• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• no blood pressure or pulse
• stopping of heart
• unconsciousness

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