What side effects are possible with this medication?
A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. A side effect may be mild or severe, temporary or permanent, but does not occur in everyone. The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away over time. If you develop any of these side effects (or any other side effects not listed here) or they change in intensity, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on managing them and on the risks and benefits of the medication.
- abdominal pain
- chills
- constipation
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- fatigue
- fever
- headache
- high or low blood pressure
- indigestion
- rapid or slow heartbeat
- pain
- unusual taste
Click here to learn about serious side effects that can potentially occur with any medication. These examples are provided for information purposes only and are not meant to be exhaustive. Always consult your doctor for sound medical advice specific to your particular medication and treatment.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Medical conditions: Dolasetron should be taken with caution by anyone
prone to certain heart rhythm abnormalities, including those who:
- have low blood levels of potassium or magnesium
- have or are at risk of abnormal heart rhythms or any other form of heart disease
Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless
the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication,
stop taking it immediately and call your doctor.
Breast-feeding: It is not know if dolasetron passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: If your child has or is prone to certain heart rhythm abnormalities, you should discuss with their doctor how this medication may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition or medications may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. The safety and effectiveness of dolasetron have not been established for children less than 2 years of age.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
There may be an interaction between dolasetron and any of the following:
- amiodarone
- atenolol
- chlorperazine
- cimetidine
- clarithromycin
- diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide)
- erythromycin
- haloperidol
- methadone
- procainamide
- quinidine
- rifampin
- sotalol
If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.