Third in its class
Dolasetron mesylate (Anzemet, Hoechst Marion Roussel) joins ondansetron (Zofran) and granisetron (Kytril) as the third drug in its class. Like the other two drugs, dolasetron is available in both oral and parenteral formulations.
The oral formulation is indicated to prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery and after chemotherapy regimens that generally cause moderate nausea and vomiting. The I.V. formulation is indicated to prevent more severe symptoms associated with such therapies as high-dose cisplatin (Platinol) and to prevent and treat postoperative nausea and vomiting.
Dolasetron is available in Canada and Australia.
Precaution: Use cautiously in patients who have or may develop prolongation of cardiac conduction intervals (for example, patients with hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia, patients taking diuretics, antiarrhythmic drugs, or other drugs that may lead to QT prolongation [for example, astemizole, cisapride]). Dolasetron has been reported to cause electrocardiogram interval changes (for example, prolongation of the QTc interval), which may lead to arrhythmias.
Adverse reactions: headache, fatigue, diarrhea, hypotension, dizziness
Supplied as: oral, 50-mg and 100-mg tablets; parenteral, 20 mg/ml in 0.625-ml single-use ampules (12.5 mg) and 5-ml single-use vials (100 mg) Nursing considerations: (1) The parenteral formulation of dolasetron can be administered I.V. as rapidly as 100 mg/30 seconds or diluted in a compatible I.V. solution (for example, 0.9% sodium chloride injection or 5% dextrose injection) to 50 ml and infused over a period of up to IS minutes. (2) To prevent nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy, give a single oral dose within 1 hour before chemotherapy or a single I.V. dose about 30 minutes before chemotherapy. To prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting, give a single oral dose within 2 hours before surgery or a single I.V. dose about 15 minutes before the cessation of anesthesia. To treat postoperative nausea and vomiting, give a single I.V. dose as soon as nausea or vomiting occurs. (3) Consult the product labeling for dosage recommendations for pediatric patients ages 2 to 16 years. If a child can't swallow the tablet, you can mix the appropriate amount of the parenteral formulation in apple or apple-grape juice and administer it orally.
Copyright Springhouse Corporation Jul 1998
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved
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