Dolasetron

Healthcare providers can prescribe dolasetron to prevent nausea and vomiting in people who are undergoing surgery or chemotherapy. The drug works by blocking serotonin, a chemical in the body that is associated with nausea and vomiting. Dolasetron comes in tablet and injectable form, and is usually used an hour before chemotherapy or two hours before surgery. Possible side effects of dolasetron include dizziness, headache, and fatigue.

 

What Is Dolasetron?

Dolasetron mesylate (Anzemet®) is a prescription nausea and vomiting medication. It is approved to prevent nausea and vomiting due to the following causes:
 
  • Surgery
  • Chemotherapy.
     
(Click What Is Dolasetron Used For? for more information on dolasetron uses, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes Dolasetron?

Dolasetron is made by sanofi-aventis.
 

How Does Dolasetron Work?

Nausea (upset stomach) and vomiting are complex processes involving many chemicals in the body and several parts of the body, including the brain and small intestine. It is likely that dolasetron works in the small intestine, but it may also work in the brain.
 
Dolasetron works by blocking serotonin, a chemical produced by the body that is associated with nausea and vomiting. Serotonin has many effects in the body and has several receptors where it can bind. Dolasetron blocks serotonin at a specific type of receptor (the 5-HT3 receptor), which is important for nausea and vomiting. It has no effects on other types of serotonin receptors in the body.
 

Dolasetron Effects

In studies of dolasetron to prevent nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, up to 73 percent of people taking the medicine experienced no vomiting. Dolasetron also decreased the severity of nausea.
 
Dolasetron was also studied for preventing nausea and vomiting after surgery. Up to 51 percent of people who took dolasetron before surgery did not experience any vomiting, compared to just 35 percent of those not taking the medicine. Dolasetron also decreased the severity of nausea.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;