What is Anzemet®?

Anzemet® is a prescription medication that is typically used to prevent and control nausea and vomiting. It is often used in treating patients who are dealing with these symptoms as a result of chemotherapy or in relation to surgery. It works by interfering with natural chemicals that are released in the body and trigger these unpleasant symptoms. Usually, patients take it about an hour before chemotherapy begins or a couple of hours before a surgical procedure. Anzemet® may be used for both adult and child patients, but different doses may apply.

Nausea and vomiting often appear as side affects of the chemotherapy treatments cancer patients undergo. These symptoms may also develop after a person has undergone surgery. To combat such negative reactions, a doctor may prescribe Anzemet® for his patients. While it may not prove 100-percent effective for everyone who takes it, Anzemet® does help the majority of patients avoid nausea and vomiting.

Anzemet® works by interfering with a natural body chemical that is referred to as serotonin. Serotonin affects the body in many different ways, including some that are positive. For example, it helps to influence alertness and good moods. Unfortunately, however, its action can also contribute to the development of nausea and vomiting. As such, Anzemet® focuses on blocking its action in this respect.

Often, patients take Anzemet® in oral form, and it is usually prescribed as either a 50- or 100-mg tablet. A doctor may also administer it as an injection, however. The medication can be used for both adult and pediatric patients. Doctors usually assess a patient's weight when deciding the right dosage. Typically, a patient takes this drug before chemotherapy treatment or prior to surgery. For example, a patient may take it about an hour before he has chemotherapy or a couple of hours before he undergoes surgery.

Most people who take Anzemet® do not experience side effects; those who do, however, may develop headaches or feel more tired than usual. A person who has side effects from this medication may also develop diarrhea or have dizzy spells, but in most cases, these side effects are relatively minor. If an individual suffers side effects that interfere with his ability to function as expected, he may do well to consult a doctor. Likewise, an individual should report side effects that seem severe to his doctor. Some patients may also develop allergic reactions to this medication, and they require medical evaluation as well.