Uses of undefined

Granisetron is indicated to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeated courses of emetogenic (a substance that causes vomiting) chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It is also used to treat and prevent nausea and vomiting in adults that may occur after surgery.  

undefined Drug administaration and Dosage available

Granisetron is a prescription generic drug available as an injectable solution, extended-release subcutaneous injection, transdermal patch, tablet, and oral solution. The oral dose is given 1 hour before chemotherapy, followed by 12 hours after chemotherapy to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. The recommended injection dose is 10 mcg/kg intravenously 30 minutes before chemotherapy. Your doctor will decide the dose, frequency, and dosage based on the severity of the condition. To prevent radiation-induced nausea and vomiting, the recommended dose is given orally 1 hour before radiation therapy. To prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting, the recommended dose is given intravenously before induction of anesthesia. To treat postoperative nausea and vomiting, the recommended dose is given intravenously.

Warnings, Precautions and Side Effects of undefined

Warnings

Granisetron may cause QT prolongation. Inform your doctor about heart disease, arrhythmias, or other cardiac conduction disorders that you have. Hypersensitivity reactions are noted after administration. Inform your physician if you have trouble breathing, chest pain, rashes in the skin, swelling in the face or other parts of the body, or bleeding. The drug may likely cause serotonin syndrome when administered with another 5-HT3 receptor antagonist; inform your healthcare provider about the medications that you are taking and if you have any symptoms of mental status changes (agitation, hallucinations, delirium, and coma), autonomic instability (tachycardia, labile blood pressure, dizziness, diaphoresis, flushing, hyperthermia), neuromuscular symptoms (tremor, rigidity, myoclonus, hyperreflexia, incoordination), seizures. 

Precautions

The drug may cause allergic reactions; notify your doctor if you see any signs of rash, itchy skin, redness in the skin, Swelling of your lips or tongue, sudden cough, and low blood pressure.  Inform your physician if you have any heart disease, gastrointestinal disease, kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, blood/bleeding problems, or infection and about all the other prescribed, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, or herbal medications you take. The safety and effectiveness of granisetron have not yet been established in pregnant and lactating mothers. It is advisable to talk with your doctor if you are pregnant, to breastfeed, or planning to get pregnant. 

Side Effects

The common side effects of granisetron are headache, weakness, excessive sleepiness, fever, diarrhea, sedation, drowsiness, and constipation. Other serious side effects are breathing difficulties, chest pain, abnormal heartbeat, and swelling of eyes, hands, and ankles. There may be side effects during the drug infusion, such as itching in the skin, redness at the site of administration, and shortness of breath. Inform your physician if you face any of the symptoms. 

Word Of Advice

Store the tablets at a controlled room temperature; keep them away from children and pets. Store the single-use vials and multi-use vials at 25°C. This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely.

Frequently Asked Question

• What Happens If I Miss A Dose?
• Inform your physician about the missed dose one hour before receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Do not take the granisetron double the time.

• What Happens If I Overdose Granisetron?
• Inform your healthcare professional immediately if you overdosed on granisetron. The symptoms of overdose are the occurrence of continuous headaches.

• Does Granisetron Cause Infertility?
• The safety and effectiveness of Granisetron on pregnancy have not yet been established. It is advisable to consult your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning for pregnancy.

• What Are The Contraindications Of Granisetron?
• Granisetron should be avoided in patients with known or suspected granisetron hypersensitivity or to any inactive ingredients of the product. Please ask your pharmacist for the list of ingredients present in granisetron.

• Should Granisetron Tablets Be Taken With Food?
• Granisetron tablets can be taken with or without food. It's important to remember that this medication is taken about an hour before chemotherapy or radiation.

• Can Granisetron Tablets Be Crushed And Taken?
• No, swallow the tablet as a whole with a glass of water. Do not break, crush or chew the tablet.