Dolasetron Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 29, 2024.
Applies to dolasetron: intravenous solution. Other dosage forms:
Serious side effects of Dolasetron
Along with its needed effects, dolasetron 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
- 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
Other side effects of Dolasetron
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
- 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
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to dolasetron: intravenous solution, oral tablet.
General
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]
More about dolasetron
- Check interactions
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- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: 5HT3 receptor antagonists
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Patient resources
- Dolasetron drug information
- Dolasetron (Intravenous) (Advanced Reading)
- Dolasetron (Oral) (Advanced Reading)
Other brands
Professional resources
Other brands
Related treatment guides
References
1. (2001) "Product Information. Anzemet (dolasetron)." Hoechst Marion Roussel
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.