granisetron (oral)

What is the most important information I should know about granisetron?

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What is granisetron?

Granisetron blocks the actions of chemicals in the body that can trigger nausea and vomiting.

Granisetron is used to prevent nausea and vomiting that may be caused by medicine to treat cancer (chemotherapy or radiation).

Granisetron may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking granisetron?

To make sure granisetron is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• heart disease;
• a heart rhythm disorder;
• a personal or family history of long QT syndrome;
• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood); or
• if you have recently had stomach or intestinal surgery.

How should I take granisetron?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Granisetron is usually taken only on the day of treatment with chemotherapy or radiation.

Your doctor may want you to take only one dose, up to 1 hour before chemotherapy or radiation.

For patients undergoing chemotherapy, a second dose of granisetron is sometimes given 12 hours after the first dose. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Granisetron is not likely to be useful if you keep taking it during times when you are not receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Tell your doctor if you forget to take your dose within 1 hour before chemotherapy or radiation. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking granisetron?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What are the possible side effects of granisetron?

• headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats;
• increased blood pressure --severe headache, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, shortness of breath; or
• high levels of serotonin in the body --agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting.

Common side effects may include:

• headache, weakness;
• diarrhea, constipation;
• stomach pain, indigestion, loss of appetite;
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• fever, flu symptoms.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect granisetron?

Granisetron can cause a serious heart problem, especially if you use certain medicines at the same time, including antibiotics, antidepressants, heart rhythm medicine, antipsychotic medicines, and medicines to treat cancer, malaria, HIV or AIDS.

• lithium;
• ritonavir;
• St. John's wort;
• an antidepressant;
• migraine headache medicine;
• a narcotic (opioid) medication or muscle relaxer; or
• other anti-nausea medications.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with granisetron, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide. Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with granisetron.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about granisetron.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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