granisetron

Generic Name: granisetron (oral) (gra NIS e tron)

Brand Names: Granisol, Kytril

What is granisetron?

Granisetron blocks the actions of chemicals in the body that can trigger nausea and vomiting.

Granisetron is used to prevent nausea and vomiting that may be caused by medicine to treat cancer (chemotherapy or radiation).

Granisetron may be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about granisetron?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to granisetron or to similar medicines such as dolasetron (Anzemet), ondansetron (Zofran), or palonosetron (Aloxi).

Before taking granisetron, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, a heart rhythm disorder, an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood), or a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome.

Granisetron is usually started up to 1 hour before chemotherapy. Tell your doctor if you forget to take the medication within the specified amount of time before your procedure.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking granisetron?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to granisetron, to similar medicines such as dolasetron (Anzemet), ondansetron (Zofran), or palonosetron (Aloxi).

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take granisetron:

• liver disease;


• 
  

  a heart rhythm disorder;

  
  


• 
  

  an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood); or

  
  


• 
  

  a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome.

  
  

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether granisetron passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take granisetron?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Granisetron is usually started up to 1 hour before chemotherapy. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Measure the liquid form of granisetron with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Store granisetron at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Granisetron dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Tell your doctor if you forget to take your dose within 1 hour before chemotherapy. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include headache.

What should I avoid while taking granisetron?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Granisetron side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• 
  

  fast or pounding heartbeats;

  
  


• 
  

  fever, body aches, flu symptoms; or

  
  


• 
  

  easy bruising or bleeding; unusual weakness.

  
  

Less serious side effects may include:

• 
  

  headache;

  
  


• 
  

  stomach pain or upset, loss of appetite;

  
  


• 
  

  diarrhea or constipation;

  
  


• 
  

  dizziness; or

  
  


• 
  

  sleep problems (insomnia);

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Granisetron Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Nausea/Vomiting -- Chemotherapy Induced:

IV: 10 mcg/kg over 5 minutes, beginning 30 minutes before initiation of chemotherapy.

Orally: 2 mg, given up to 1 hour before chemotherapy, or 1 mg twice a day (the first dose is given up to 1 hour before chemotherapy, and the second dose is given 12 hours later).

Granisetron transdermal system: Apply a single patch to the upper outer arm a minimum of 24 hours before chemotherapy. The patch may be applied up to a maximum of 48 hours before chemotherapy as appropriate. Remove the patch a minimum of 24 hours after completion of chemotherapy. The patch can be worn for up to 7 days depending on the duration of the chemotherapy regimen. Granisetron transdermal system is a 52 cm2 patch containing 34.3 mg of granisetron. The patch releases 3.1 mg of granisetron per 24 hours for up to 7 days.

The transdermal system (patch) should be applied to clean, dry, intact healthy skin on the upper outer arm. Granisetron transdermal system should not be placed on skin that is red, irritated or damaged. Each patch is packed in a pouch and should be applied directly after the pouch has been opened. The patch should not be cut into pieces.

Usual Adult Dose for Nausea/Vomiting--Radiation Induced:

2 mg orally given within 1 hour of radiotherapy.

Usual Adult Dose for Nausea/Vomiting -- Postoperative:

Prevention and Treatment
IV: 1 mg undiluted over 30 seconds, given before induction of anesthesia, or immediately before reversal of anesthesia; or give after surgery.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Nausea/Vomiting -- Chemotherapy Induced:

Greater than or equal to 2 to 16 years: 10 mcg/kg IV 30 minutes before start of chemotherapy.

Study (n=80)
Randomized double-blind clinical studies have used granisetron injection in the range of 10 to 40 mcg/kg.

What other drugs will affect granisetron?

There may be other drugs that can interact with granisetron. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More granisetron resources

• Granisetron Side Effects (in more detail)
• Granisetron Dosage
• Granisetron Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Granisetron Drug Interactions
• Granisetron Support Group
• 6 Reviews for Granisetron - Add your own review/rating

• granisetron Oral, Intravenous Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Granisetron MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Granisetron Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Granisetron Hydrochloride Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Granisol Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Kytril Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Kytril Consumer Overview


• Sancuso Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Sancuso Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Sancuso Consumer Overview


• Sancuso MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare granisetron with other medications

• Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced
• Nausea/Vomiting, Postoperative
• Nausea/Vomiting, Radiation Induced

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about granisetron.

See also: granisetron side effects (in more detail)