What Is Dolasetron Used For?

Dolasetron is used for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in people who are about to undergo chemotherapy or surgery. It is approved for use in both adults and children. Healthcare providers may also sometimes prescribe the drug "off-label" for other purposes. Off-label dolasetron uses may include the prevention of nausea and vomiting due to other causes.

 

What Is Dolasetron Used For?

Dolasetron mesylate (Anzemet®) is a prescription medication approved for the prevention of nausea and vomiting due to surgery or chemotherapy.
 

Dolasetron for Nausea and Vomiting After Surgery

Surgery is a common cause of nausea and vomiting. However, not all types of surgery are likely to cause nausea and vomiting. Surgeries involving the abdomen (stomach area), eye, ears, nose, and throat are most likely to cause nausea or vomiting. Certain types of anesthesia are also more likely to cause nausea and vomiting. People who are at higher risk for postoperative nausea and vomiting include the following:
 
  • Women
  • People who have had nausea or vomiting after surgery in the past
  • People who do not smoke
  • People who get motion sickness
  • People who will use certain morphine-like medications ("opioids") after surgery.
     
Your healthcare provider will take all of these factors into consideration when deciding whether you will need medication to prevent nausea and vomiting.
 
Dolasetron is given before surgery to help prevent nausea and vomiting. Dolasetron tablets are not approved to treat nausea and vomiting after it starts, and it is much harder to treat nausea or vomiting than to prevent it from happening in the first place. However, dolasetron injection is approved to treat nausea and vomiting after surgery.
 
(What Is Dolasetron Used For? Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;