Granisetron

This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

Sancuso; Sustol

Brand Names: Canada

APO-Granisetron; JAMP Granisetron; NAT-Granisetron

What is this drug used for?

  • It is used to prevent upset stomach and throwing up.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?

All products:

  • If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
  • If you are using another drug that has the same drug in it.
  • If you are taking apomorphine.

Long-acting injection:

  • If you have kidney problems.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?

All products:

  • Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
  • Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how this drug affects you.
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

Skin patch:

  • Avoid using a heating pad or other heating devices on the treated area.
  • Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. This drug may not work as well or may cause skin irritation. Keep the patch covered with clothing. Keep the skin where the patch was used covered for 10 days after you take it off. Talk with the doctor.

Long-acting injection:

  • It is common to have injection site reactions with this drug. Some injection site reactions may happen up to 2 weeks or more after getting this drug. Some of these reactions may be very bad and need treatment. Talk with your doctor.
  • Allergic reactions may happen up to 7 days or more after getting this drug. Talk with your doctor.
  • This drug is not approved for use in children. If your child has been given this form of this drug, talk with the doctor about the benefits and risks. Do not give this drug to a child younger than 12 years old.

Short-acting injection:

  • Some products have benzyl alcohol. If possible, avoid products with benzyl alcohol in newborns or infants. Serious side effects can happen in these children with some doses of benzyl alcohol, including if given with other drugs that have benzyl alcohol. Talk with the doctor to see if this product has benzyl alcohol in it.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

All products:

  • Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Signs of high or low blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
  • Chest pain or pressure.
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Stomach pain.
  • Swelling of belly.
  • Fever, chills, or sore throat; any unexplained bruising or bleeding; or feeling very tired or weak.
  • A severe and sometimes deadly problem called serotonin syndrome may happen. The risk may be greater if you also take certain other drugs. Call your doctor right away if you have agitation; change in balance; confusion; hallucinations; fever; fast or abnormal heartbeat; flushing; muscle twitching or stiffness; seizures; shivering or shaking; sweating a lot; severe diarrhea, upset stomach, or throwing up; or very bad headache.

Long-acting injection:

  • Injection site pain or tenderness that you need to take a pain drug for or that causes problems with daily living.
  • Area that feels hard or bruise at the injection site that does not go away.
  • Signs of infection at the injection site like redness, warmth of the skin, or fever.
  • Bleeding at the injection site that is very bad or lasts longer than 24 hours.
  • Constipation that may be very bad can happen with this drug. This can happen up to 7 days after getting this drug. Some people have had to go to the hospital to be treated for very bad constipation. Call your doctor right away if you have constipation or if it gets worse after you use this drug.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

All products:

  • Headache.
  • Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak.
  • Diarrhea or constipation.
  • Heartburn.
  • Decreased appetite.
  • Trouble sleeping.

Skin patch:

  • Irritation where this drug was used.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

How is this drug best taken?

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

Tablets:

  • Take with or without food.

Skin patch:

  • Do not take this drug by mouth. Use on your skin only.
  • Wash your hands before and after use.
  • Put on clean, dry, healthy skin on the upper arm.
  • Do not put on irritated or damaged skin.
  • Do not put on skin where you have just used creams, oils, lotions, powder, or other skin products. The patch may not stick as well.
  • If there is hair where you are putting the patch, clip the hair as close to the skin as you can. Do not shave the hair.
  • Do not use patches that are cut or do not look right.
  • Wear only one patch at a time.
  • If the patch loosens, put tape ONLY on the edges of the patch to hold it in place.
  • Tell your healthcare provider if the patch comes more than half off or if it is damaged.
  • You may bathe or shower while wearing the patch. Do not swim, use a hot tub, or sauna while wearing the patch.
  • After you take off a skin patch, be sure to fold the sticky sides of the patch to each other. Throw away used patches where children and pets cannot get to them.

All injection products:

  • Some products need to be given into a vein. Some products need to be given into the fatty part of the skin. Talk with the doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure how to use this drug.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

  • Call your doctor to find out what to do.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

Tablets:

  • Store at room temperature protected from light. Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.

Skin patch:

  • Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
  • Store patches in pouch until ready for use.

All injection products:

  • If you need to store this drug at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

All products:

  • Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

  • If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
  • Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
  • Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
  • Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
  • If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2023-07-03

Copyright

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Last Updated

Monday, December 12, 2022