Granisetron is a drug to treat and prevent nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In addition, granisetron is also used to treat nausea and vomiting after operation.
Granisetron works by blocking the action of serotonin, a natural compound in the body that can trigger nausea and vomiting. Granisetron can be used alone or in combination with other drugs. Granisetron is available in tablet and injectable form.
Granisetron trademarks: Emegran, Gatron, Gramet, Granesis, Granisetron Hydrochloride, Granitron, Granon, Granopi, Granovell, Grant, Gravomit, Kytril, Opigran, Pehagrant
What is Granisetron
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | anti-vomit |
| Benefit | Prevent and treat nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and postoperative side effects. |
| Used by | Adults and children over 2 years old |
| Ganisetron for pregnant and lactating women | Category B: Animal studies have not shown any risk to the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. It is not known whether Granisetron is absorbed into breast milk or not. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Injections and tablets |
Precautions Before Using Granisetron
Granisetron should only be used as prescribed by a doctor. There are several things that must be considered before using this drug, including:
- Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. Granisetron should not be given to patients who are allergic to this drug or to other antiemetics, such as ondansetron.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have had heart disease, heart rhythm disturbances, or electrolyte disturbances, including hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have recently had gastric and gastrointestinal surgery
- Do not drive or do activities that require alertness after taking granisetron, as this medicine can cause dizziness.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- See your doctor right away if you experience an allergic drug reaction, serious side effect, or overdose after using granisetron.
Dosage and Rules for Use Granisetron
The dose of granisetron will be adjusted according to the form of drug, age, and condition of the patient. In general, the following are the dosages of granisetron grouped by the form of the drug:
Granisetron injection
Condition: Nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy
- Mature: 1–3 mg, given by IV over 5 minutes, or injected directly into a vein over 30 seconds. The drug is given 5 minutes before chemotherapy. Subsequent doses can be given 10 minutes apart if the maximum dose is 9 mg per day.
- Children aged 2–16 years: 10–40 mcg/kg, given by infusion over 5 minutes, given before chemotherapy is started. The maximum dose is 3,000 mcg. Additional doses can be given within 24 hours, at least 10 minutes after the first dose.
Condition: Nausea and vomiting due to side effects of radiotherapy
- Mature: 1–3 mg, given by IV over 5 minutes, or injected directly into a vein over 30 seconds. The drug is given 5 minutes before chemotherapy starts. Subsequent doses can be given at intervals of 10 minutes, if indeed the maximum dose is 9 mg per day.
Condition: Postoperative nausea and vomiting
- Mature: 1 mg, injected into a vein over 30 seconds, given before anaesthesia. Administration of the drug can be repeated up to a maximum of 3 mg within 24 hours.
Granisetron Tablet
Condition: Nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy side effects
- Mature: 1–2 mg, given 1 hour before chemotherapy starts. Then, 2 mg daily, given as a single dose or in two doses, for 1 week after chemotherapy. The maximum dose is 9 mg per day.
Condition: Nausea and vomiting due to radiotherapy
- Mature: 2 mg, once daily, given within 1 hour of radiotherapy.
How to Use Granisetron Correctly
Follow the doctor's recommendations and read the instructions for use listed on the packaging before taking granisetron tablets. Granisetron injection can only be given in a hospital by a doctor or medical personnel under the supervision of a doctor.
Granisetron tablets can be taken with or without food. Granisetron tablets must be taken whole. Do not split, chew, or crush the medicine as this may decrease the effectiveness of the medicine.
To treat nausea and vomiting after surgery, the doctor will prescribe granisetron tablets to be taken before surgery, or immediately after surgery if the patient begins to experience nausea and vomiting.
After that, you need to continue taking granisetron tablets for a few days after that as directed by your doctor. Take this medicine regularly as recommended by your doctor. Do not increase, decrease, or stop taking medication without consulting your doctor.
For patients who forget to take granisetron tablets, it is advisable to consult a doctor about the next time to take them. Do not double the dose to make up for a missed dose.
If prescribed granisetron tablets after chemotherapy, store the medication in a room at room temperature. Do not store it in a humid place or in direct sunlight. Keep this medicine out of reach of children.
Granisetron Interactions with Other Drugs
The use of granisetron with other drugs can cause several drug interactions, such as:
- Increased action of the drug granisetron when used with phenobarbital
- Increased risk of serotonin syndrome if used concomitantly with lithium, John's wort, sumatriptan, antidepressant drugs, or opioid drugs, such as tramadol
- Increased risk of arrhythmias when used with quinidine, amisulpride, or amiodarone
Granisetron Side Effects and Dangers
A number of side effects that may arise after using granisetron are headache, weakness, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, low-grade fever or feeling unwell, insomnia, and pain or irritation at the injection site.
Check with your doctor if the side effects above don't go away or get worse. Immediately see a doctor if you experience an allergic drug reaction or more serious side effects, such as:
- Very heavy dizziness or fainting
- Heart palpitations or chest pain
- Serotonin syndrome which can be characterized by certain symptoms, such as restlessness, confusion, body shaking, muscle stiffness, hallucinations, or severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
