Granisetron

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Pronunciation: gra-NIS-e-tron
Generic Name: Granisetron
Brand Name: Sancuso
Granisetron is used for:

Preventing nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Granisetron is a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist. It works by blocking a chemical called serotonin that can cause vomiting.

Do NOT use Granisetron if: you are allergic to any ingredient in Granisetron you are taking apomorphine

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Granisetron:

Some medical conditions may interact with Granisetron. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances if you are allergic to other 5-HT3 receptor antagonists (eg, ondansetron) if you have heart problems (eg, irregular heartbeat, conduction problems), blood electrolyte problems (eg, low calcium, potassium, or magnesium), an abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG), or you are receiving chemotherapy that may cause heart problems if you have stomach or bowel problems (eg, pain, swelling) or if you have recently had stomach surgery

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Granisetron. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Apomorphine because the risk of side effects, such as severely low blood pressure or loss of consciousness, may occur Medicines that may affect your heartbeat such as antiarrhythmics (eg, flecainide, sotalol), azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), or quinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin) because heart rhythm problems may occur. Ask your doctor if you are unsure if any medicines that you take may affect your heartbeat

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Granisetron may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Granisetron:

Use Granisetron as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

An extra patient leaflet is available with Granisetron. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information. Apply Granisetron 24 to 48 hours before your chemotherapy treatment, or as directed by your doctor. Granisetron should be applied to clean, healthy skin on the upper arm. Do not apply to cut, scraped, or irritated skin. Do not use creams, oils, lotions, powders, or any other products that could irritate the skin or prevent the patch from sticking well. To apply Granisetron, remove the patch from the sealed pouch. Do not cut or damage the patch. Remove the thin, clear, protective liner. Bend the patch in the middle and remove one-half of the rigid plastic film. Apply the exposed, sticky area of the patch to your skin. Remove the other half of the rigid plastic film and press the whole patch firmly in place against the skin. If the patch does not stick well, you may tape the edges with surgical bandages or medical adhesive tape. Do not completely cover the patch with bandages or tape. Do not wrap completely around your arm. Ask your health care provider if you are unsure of what type of dressing you can use. Wash your hands immediately after using Granisetron. You may shower or bathe normally while wearing the patch. You should avoid activities such as swimming, strenuous exercise, or using a sauna or whirlpool. It is unknown how these activities may affect Granisetron. Continue to wear the patch during your chemotherapy and for at least 24 hours after your treatment is completed. Granisetron may be worn for up to 7 days or as directed by your doctor. To remove the patch, gently peel it off of your skin and fold the sticky side together. Throw the used patch in the trash away from children and pets. Wash your hands after handling the patch. Gently wash the skin with soap and water where the patch was applied. If you miss a dose of Granisetron, contact your doctor immediately.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Granisetron.

Important safety information: Granisetron may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Granisetron with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it. Do not expose Granisetron to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths while you wear it. It might not work as well and could cause skin irritation. Keep the patch covered with clothing if you will be in sunlight or near a sunlamp or tanning bed. You will also need to cover the skin where the patch was applied for an additional 10 days after you remove the patch to protect it from exposure to direct sunlight. Tell your doctor right away if you experience skin irritation (eg, bumps, blisters, itching, redness, or rash) at the application site or on other areas of the body. Granisetron should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed. PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Granisetron while you are pregnant. It is not known if Granisetron is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Granisetron, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby. Possible side effects of Granisetron:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Anxiety; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; nausea; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; severe or persistent skin irritation (eg, redness, rash, bumps, blisters, or itching); stomach pain or swelling; unusual muscle movement.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Granisetron side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include headache.

Proper storage of Granisetron:

Store Granisetron in the original package at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Granisetron out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information: If you have any questions about Granisetron, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Granisetron is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people. If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor. Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Granisetron. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012 Database Edition 12.1.1.002 Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. More Granisetron resources Granisetron Side Effects (in more detail) Granisetron Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Drug Images Granisetron Drug Interactions Granisetron Support Group 6 Reviews for Granisetron - Add your own review/rating Compare Granisetron with other medications Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced Nausea/Vomiting, Postoperative Nausea/Vomiting, Radiation Induced

Granisetron

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