Granisetron
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 7, 2022.
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Kytril
Available Dosage Forms:
- Solution
Therapeutic Class: Antiemetic
Pharmacologic Class: Granisetron
Uses for granisetron
Granisetron injection is used to prevent nausea and vomiting that may occur after treatment with cancer medicines (chemotherapy or radiation), including high-dose cisplatin. Granisetron is also used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting that may happen after surgery.
Granisetron is a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist. It works in the stomach to block the signals to the brain that cause nausea and vomiting.
Granisetron is to be given only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.
Before using granisetron
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For granisetron, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to granisetron or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of granisetron injection in children with cancer. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 2 years of age.
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects granisetron injection for the prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting after surgery in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of granisetron injection in the elderly.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving granisetron, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using granisetron with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Apomorphine
- Bepridil
- Cisapride
- Dronedarone
- Fluconazole
- Levoketoconazole
- Mesoridazine
- Pimozide
- Piperaquine
- Saquinavir
- Sparfloxacin
- Terfenadine
- Thioridazine
- Ziprasidone
Using granisetron wit...