This medication is used alone or with other medications to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer drug treatment (chemotherapy). It is also used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting after surgery.

Dolasetron belongs to a class of medications called 5-HT3 blockers. It works by blocking one of the body's natural substances (serotonin) that can cause vomiting.

This drug is given into a vein by a health care professional. It is usually given 30 minutes before cancer chemotherapy or before/during/after surgery. The drug may be given directly into a vein over 30 seconds, or it may be mixed in an IV fluid and given into a vein over a longer time (e.g., 5 to 15 minutes).

Follow all instructions for proper mixing and dilution with the correct IV fluids. Do not mix dolasetron with other drugs in the same injection or inject other drugs into the same vein at the same time. If you have questions about using this medication properly, consult your pharmacist.

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 needles and medical supplies safely. Consult your pharmacist.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. The dosage may also be based on weight. The usual maximum dose is 100 milligrams. Use this medication exactly as directed to get the most benefit from it. Do not use more medication or use it more often than prescribed. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.

If you or your child cannot swallow the tablet form of this medication, this liquid product for injection may 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. See also Storage section.

When this medication is taken by mouth, it is usually taken within 1 hour before your cancer chemotherapy or within 2 hours before surgery, or as directed by your doctor. This medication may be taken with or without food. However, your doctor may tell you not to eat before chemotherapy or surgery. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.

Tell your doctor if your nausea does not improve or if it worsens.

Headache, diarrhea, dizziness, or pain/redness/swelling at the injection site may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor promptly.

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 immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: stomach/abdominal pain, vision changes.

Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: chest pain, severe dizziness, fainting, slow/fast/irregular heartbeat.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention 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.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before using dolasetron, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other 5-HT3 blockers (e.g., granisetron, ondansetron); or if you have any other allergies.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart problems (e.g., irregular heartbeat), stomach/intestinal problems (e.g., recent surgery, ileus, swelling).

Dolasetron may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can infrequently result in serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that require immediate medical attention. The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may affect the heart rhythm (see also Drug Interactions section). Before using dolasetron, tell your doctor or pharmacist 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. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages.

To reduce dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Caution is advised when using this drug in children with heart problems because they may be more sensitive to the heart effects (e.g., irregular heartbeat) of the drug.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

This drug should not be used with the following medication because very serious interactions may occur: apomorphine.

If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting dolasetron.

Many drugs besides dolasetron may affect the heart rhythm (QT prolongation), including dofetilide, pimozide, procainamide, amiodarone, quinidine, ziprasidone, sotalol, macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), among others. Therefore, before using dolasetron, report all medications you are currently using to your doctor or pharmacist.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: atenolol, cimetidine, previous treatment with certain chemotherapy drugs (anthracyclines such as daunorubicin/doxorubicin).

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Do not share this medication with others.

Tell your doctor if you miss your dose or did not use your dose at the correct time before your scheduled chemotherapy appointment or surgery. Your treatment or surgery may need to be rescheduled.

Store the US vial or ampule at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. If diluted with the correct IV fluids, this product is stable at room temperature for 24 hours or refrigerated for 48 hours. Discard any unused diluted medication after 24 hours if at room temperature or after 48 hours if refrigerated.

Store the Canadian vial or ampule at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. After dilution with the correct IV fluids, this product should be used immediately or stored in the refrigerator at 36-46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C) for no more than 24 hours.

If this liquid for injection is diluted with juice to take 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.

Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised July 2009 Copyright(c) 2009 First DataBank, Inc.