Compare Anzemet vs. Emend

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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Anzemet (dolasetron)

Prescription only

Emend (aprepitant)

Prescription only
Helps prevent nausea and vomiting

Anzemet (dolasetron) prevents nausea and vomiting and does not have many side effects.

Stops nausea and vomitting caused by chemotherapy and surgery.

Emend (aprepitant) is used with other medicines to stop nausea and vomiting that can happen after chemotherapy and surgery.

Upsides
  • Reduced nausea and vomiting in people receiving chemotherapy.
  • Well-tolerated with mild headache as the most common side effect.
  • Requires only 1 dose prior to chemotherapy and once daily dosing after chemotherapy if needed for delayed nausea/vomiting.
  • Emend (aprepitant) can help stop nausea that lasts several days after receiving chemo, which is harder to control than the nausea that starts immediately.
  • Emend (aprepitant) can also be used to stop nausea in adults that happens after surgery.
  • Emend (aprepitant) also comes as a liquid for children over 6 months and adults who can't take pills.
  • The side effects of Emend (aprepitant) are usually mild and include hiccups and fatigue.
Downsides
  • Anzemet (dolasetron) doesn't treat nausea and vomiting that's already happening. It only works to prevent future episodes.
  • High doses of Anzemet (dolasetron) can cause problems with heart rhythm.
  • Can be expensive since a generic version is not available.
  • Emend (aprepitant) only stops nausea and vomiting from happening. It won't work if you already have nausea and vomiting.
  • Emend (aprepitant) has to be used in combination with other medicines to treat chemotherapy related nausea.
  • Emend (aprepitant) needs to be taken for the first three days of chemo.
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Used for
  • Prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with highly-emetogenic chemotherapy
  • Prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with moderately-emetogenic chemotherapy
  • Prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting
Dosage forms
  • Pill
  • Pill
  • Liquid
Price
No pricing information available
Lowest price
$27.04
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Reviews
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Side effects
9possible side effects
  • Headache
    23%
  • Fatigue
    6%
  • Diarrhea
    5%
  • Decreased heart rate
    4%
  • Dizziness
    3%
  • Pain
    3%
  • Increased heart rate
    3%
  • Indigestion
    2%
  • Chills/shivering
    2%
See more detailed side effects
6possible side effects
  • Fatigue
    13%
  • Diarrhea
    9%
  • Weakness
    7%
  • Indigestion
    7%
  • Hiccups
    5%
  • Lower white blood cells
    4%
See more detailed side effects
Risks and risk factors
  • Abnormal heart rhythm
    • History of heart rhythms such as long QT syndrome or atrial fibrillation
    • Heart failure
    • Taking other medications that can affect heart rhythms
    • Low potassium or magnesium levels
    • Advanced age
  • Serotonin syndrome
    • Taking other medicines that affect serotonin levels such as tramadol and anti-depressants
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Drug Interactions
  • Decreased INR when used with warfarin (Coumadin)
    • Taking warfarin with Emend (aprepitant)
  • Risk of reduced efficacy of hormone based birth control
    • Taking hormone-based birth control
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Anzemet (dolasetron)
Learn more about Emend (aprepitant)