← Search & browse all drugs
ALIMENTARY TRACT AND METABOLISM › ANTIEMETICS AND ANTINAUSEANTS › ANTIEMETICS AND ANTINAUSEANTS › Serotonin (5HT3) antagonists
dolasetron
A04AA04
Forms & Strengths
- Oral tablets: 50 mg, 100 mg
- Intravenous solution: 20 mg/mL
Adult Dosing
- Prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV): 100 mg orally once daily approximately 1 hour before chemotherapy, or 1.8 mg/kg (or 100 mg) IV once approximately 30 minutes before chemotherapy
- Prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV): 12.5 mg IV once administered about 15 minutes before cessation of anesthesia (or at the time of induction)
Pediatric Dosing
- Prevention of CINV (pediatric patients 2 to 16 years): 1.8 mg/kg (maximum 100 mg) orally once daily approximately 1 hour before chemotherapy, or 1.8 mg/kg (maximum 100 mg) IV once approximately 30 minutes before chemotherapy
- Prevention of PONV (pediatric patients 2 to 16 years): 0.35 mg/kg (maximum 12.5 mg) IV once administered about 15 minutes before cessation of anesthesia
Indications
- Prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of emetogenic cancer chemotherapy
- Prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting
Mechanism of Action
- Selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist
- Blocks serotonin receptors located peripherally on vagal nerve terminals and centrally in the chemoreceptor trigger zone
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to dolasetron or any component of the formulation
- Intravenous use for the prevention or treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting in pediatric patients due to severe QT prolongation risk
- Concomitant use with apomorphine
Adverse Reactions
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- ECG changes (QTc prolongation, PR prolongation, QRS widening)
Drug Interactions
- Drugs that prolong the QT interval (e.g., antiarrhythmics, antipsychotics, macrolides): increased risk of serious ventricular arrhythmias including Torsades de Pointes
- Serotonergic drugs (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs): increased risk of serotonin syndrome
- Apomorphine: profound hypotension and loss of consciousness when combined with 5-HT3 antagonists
Curated Content: Needs Vetting Before Put to Clinical Use