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Anzemet Coupon - Anzemet 50mg tablet

Anzemet

dolasetron
Used for Nausea

Anzemet (dolasetron) is a medication used to prevent nausea and vomiting due to cancer medications (chemotherapy). It's used for adults and children 2 years and older. This medication is taken by mouth within 1 hour before chemotherapy.

Reviewed by:
reviewerRobert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewerAllison Gourley, PharmD
Last reviewed on November 14, 2022
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What is Anzemet (dolasetron)?

What is Anzemet (dolasetron) used for?

  • Prevention of nausea and vomiting due to cancer medications (chemotherapy)

How Anzemet (dolasetron) works

Anzemet (dolasetron) is an antiemetic medication. It works by blocking the actions of serotonin in the part of your brain that causes nausea and vomiting. This helps you feel less nauseous and less of an urge to vomit.

Drug facts

Common BrandsAnzemet
Drug ClassAntiemetic
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Side effects of Anzemet (dolasetron)

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Headache (18-23%)
  • Fatigue (3-6%)

Less Common Side Effects

  • Changes in heart rate (faster or slower)
  • Dizziness
  • Chills
  • Diarrhea
  • Indigestion
  • Pain

Anzemet (dolasetron) serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Abnormal heart rhythm: chest pounding, short of breath, chest pain, feeling faint or lightheaded
  • Serotonin syndrome: fast heart rate, dizziness, sweating, flushing, tremor (shakiness), muscle stiffness, muscle twitching or spasms, uncoordinated movement, distress, seizures, distress, hallucinations, coma
  • Serious allergic reactions: hives; trouble breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat

Source: DailyMed

The following Anzemet (dolasetron) side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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:

More common

Chest pain or discomfort

lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

slow or irregular heartbeat

unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

Chills

decrease in the amount of urine

fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse

fever

Rare

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

Some side effects 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

Belching

heartburn

indigestion

pain

stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

Rare

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

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Pros and cons of Anzemet (dolasetron)

Pros

  • Works well to prevent nausea and vomiting
  • Can use in children as young as 2 years old
  • Can use safely in people with liver or kidney problems

Cons

  • Available as a brand name only, which can be expensive
  • Not the best choice for people with heart rhythm problems
  • Can interact with certain medications, like antidepressants and migraine medications
  • No longer available as an injection for people who might have trouble swallowing or keeping things down
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Pharmacist tips for Anzemet (dolasetron)

pharmacist
  • Make sure you understand when you're supposed to take Anzemet (dolasetron) to get the most out of the medication to prevent nausea or vomiting. Take Anzemet (dolasetron) 1 hour before your chemotherapy.
  • Take Anzemet (dolasetron) with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole. Don't crush or chew the tablets.
  • Anzemet (dolasetron) can make you feel tired and dizzy. Don't drive until you know how this medication affects you.
  • Anzemet (dolasetron) can interact with many other medications, such as certain antidepressants, migraine medications called triptans, and some medications that affect your heart rhythm. Make sure to tell your provider about all the medications you take before starting Anzemet (dolasetron). Also, don't start any new medications while taking Anzemet (dolasetron) without talking to your provider first.
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Risks and warnings for Anzemet (dolasetron)

Anzemet (dolasetron) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

Life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm

  • Risk factors: Low blood potassium or magnesium levels | Older age | Kidney problems | History of heart problems, slow heart rate, or other abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) | Personal or family history of long QT syndrome | Taking other medications that cause QT prolongation

Anzemet (dolasetron) can affect your heart rhythm, which can be serious and life-threatening. One example includes lengthening the time period from when the heart pumps and then relaxes. This is known as QT prolongation. Your risk for QT prolongation is higher if you have certain factors, including abnormal electrolyte levels, heart rhythm problems, or are taking other medications that cause heart rhythm problems, such as amiodarone (Pacerone) and ciprofloxacin (Cipro), among others.

To lower your risk, your provider will periodically monitor your heart and perform electrocardiograms (EKGs) to make sure your heart rhythm is normal. If you feel your chest pounding, have shortness of breath, have chest pain, or feel faint or lightheaded while taking Anzemet (dolasetron), call 911 right away.

Serotonin syndrome

  • Risk factors: Taking other medications that raise serotonin levels in your brain

Some people taking Anzemet (dolasetron) have developed a rare, but potentially life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. This condition happens where there's too much serotonin in the brain. Your risk for serotonin syndrome goes up if you use Anzemet (dolasetron) with other medications that can raise your serotonin levels, such as certain antidepressants, mental health medications, pain medications, and migraine medications.

Let your provider know about all the medications you take before starting Anzemet (dolasetron). Also, don't start any new medications without talking to your provider first. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include fast heart rate, sweating, muscle stiffness or spasms, fever, and confusion. Get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms.

Severe allergic reactions

Some people have experienced a severe allergic reaction to Anzemet (dolasetron). These reactions can be life-threatening and include facial swelling, hives, and anaphylaxis (e.g., closing of the throat). If you notice dizziness, fast heartbeat, a choking sensation, difficulty breathing, swelling around your eyes, swelling of the lips or tongue, or any signs of a severe skin reaction after taking Anzemet (dolasetron), get medical attention right away.

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Anzemet (dolasetron) dosage

The average cost for 1 tablet of 50mg of Anzemet (dolasetron) is $35.44 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 13.12% off the average retail price of $40.79.
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DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
50mg1 tablet$35.44$35.44

Typical dosage for Anzemet (dolasetron)

Each tablet contains 50 mg of dolasetron.

  • Age 17 years and older: The typical dose is 100 mg by mouth within 1 hour before chemotherapy.
  • Age 2 to 16 years: The dose depends on your child's body weight. The typical dose is 1.8 mg/kg of body weight (and up to 100 mg) by mouth within 1 hour before chemotherapy.
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Interactions between Anzemet (dolasetron) and other drugs

Anzemet (dolasetron) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Anzemet (dolasetron). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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What are alternatives to Anzemet (dolasetron)?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Anzemet (dolasetron). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Anzemet (dolasetron)
Used for:
  • Prevention of nausea and vomiting due to cancer medications (chemotherapy)
$35.44Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Used for:
  • Prevention of nausea and vomiting due to cancer medications (chemotherapy) or radiation therapy
  • Prevention of nausea and vomiting after surgery
$10.58Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Used for:
  • Prevention of nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy in adults and children 1 month of age and older
  • Prevention of nausea and vomiting (for up to 24 hours) after surgery in adults
$25.23Lowest GoodRx priceView prices

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