Anzemet is a medicine that can be used alone or in combination with other medications to treat nausea and vomiting during the treatment of cancer and caused due to the drugs used in the treatment of cancer, that is, chemotherapy.
The generic name of Anzemet is Dolasetron mesylate. It belongs to a class of medications that are called a 5-HT3 blocker. This drug works by blocking serotonin(one of the natural substances of the body) which is responsible for causing vomiting. The medication of this drug has side effects, if used to treat nausea and vomiting. But the injection of the drug can be used after the surgery.
Composition of Anzemet:
The drug is an antinauseant and antiemetic agent.
- Active ingredient: dolasetron mesylate (as the monohydrate)
- Inactive ingredient: carnauba wax, croscarmellose sodium, hypromellose, lactose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, pregelatinized starch, synthetic red iron oxide, titanium dioxide, and white wax.
Hypromellose, magnesium stearate, polysorbate 80, and titanium dioxide were also the inactive ingredients in Tequin, a drug used for the treatment of respiratory tract infection.
Who should be careful while taking Anzemet?
There are certain situations when one must consider before taking such medicines:
- Allergies: Having allergies to certain products like (foods, dyes, preservatives, animals) or allergies to any other medicine adversely affect the patient, so if any allergy then it is always better to tell the doctor, and then the doctor will decide the dosage for the patient.
- Pediatric: the use of Anzemet can be limited in the case of children of 2 years of age and older.
- Geriatric: It can be also risky to use Anzemet in elderly, as elderly patients are more likely to have heart rhythm problems, and hence more caution is required.
- Patients with heart problems (QT prolongation), kidney diseases: QT prolongation may result in serious problems like fast or irregular heartbeat and severe dizziness, fainting. The risk of QT prolongation increases if the patient has other medical conditions or takes any other drug like Tequin.
Things to consider while taking Anzemet:
- Take only the recommended dose by the doctor, unless the doctor prescribes it will be risky to increase the dose
- Do not share the medicine with someone, for having the same problem unless the doctor prescribes the medicine to the person
- Do not take Anzemet for other problems
- Do not lower the dose by ownself
- Do not stop the medicine by ownself if you start to feel better.
Side-effects of Anzemet:
In recent years there have been several cases evolved having the side effect of Anzemet that are as following:
- Headache
- Constipation
- Tiredness
- Drowsiness or dizziness
Some of the serious side effects of the drug which should not be neglected or ignored may include:
- Stomach or abdominal pain
- Change in amount of urine
- Changes in vision
Immediate medical assistance is needed for the following side-effects:
- Chest pain
- Severe dizziness
- Fainting
- Irregular heartbeats (slow or fast)
- Changes in liver enzyme in the blood
- Changes in the number of RBCs(Red blood cells) or WBCs (White blood cells)
- Low blood pressure
Allergic reactions of the medicine may include the following:
- Rash
- Itching or swelling
- Dizziness
- Trouble or difficulty in breathing
There can also be some side effects when Anzemet is treated with other drugs like Tequin (gatifloxacin) which has now been banned.
Anzemet is a drug used for cancer patients for treating nausea or vomiting. But the drug has the potential to cause side-effects that may range from mild to serious, so it’s necessary to be careful for its prescription and consumption.
If you or your knowns have been suffered from the side-effects of the Anzemet drug, then at Getlegal we have the tool and resources that can help you to know your rights.
