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Anzemet Warnings and Precautions
Before you take Anzemet, warnings and precautions for the drug should be discussed with your healthcare provider. Make sure you let him or her know if you have low potassium or magnesium levels in your blood, an irregular heart rhythm, or any allergies. It is important to know that Anzemet may potentially cause a dangerous irregular heart rhythm called QT prolongation.
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Anzemet® (dolasetron mesylate) if you have:
- An irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia), especially long QT syndrome
- Low potassium levels in your blood (hypokalemia)
- Low magnesium levels in your blood (magnesium)
- Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:
- Are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
- Are breastfeeding.
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Warnings and precautions to be aware of prior to taking Anzemet include the following:
- Anzemet can cause changes in the heart rhythm, including a particularly dangerous arrhythmia called QT prolongation. Having low potassium or magnesium in your blood or taking certain medications (see Anzemet Drug Interactions) can increase your risk of QT prolongation. If you already have an arrhythmia, you are also at risk for this side effect.
- Anzemet is considered a pregnancy Category B medication. This means that it is probably safe for use during pregnancy, although the full risks are not known (see Anzemet and Pregnancy).
- It is not known if Anzemet passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to taking the drug (see Anzemet and Breastfeeding).
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD