Anzemet Uses

Anzemet is used for preventing nausea and vomiting in people who are about to have surgery or receive chemotherapy. It is approved for use in adults and children who are old enough to swallow tablets. Healthcare providers may also occasionally recommend "off-label" Anzemet uses. Using the drug to prevent nausea and vomiting due to other causes is considered to be an off-label use of the drug.

 

What Is Anzemet Used For?

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

Anzemet 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.
 
Anzemet is given before surgery to help prevent nausea and vomiting. Anzemet 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, Anzemet injection is approved to treat nausea and vomiting after surgery.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;