Granisetron
About Granisetron
Granisetron belongs to the class of ‘anti-emetic’ drugs, primarily used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by medical treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer, etc. Nausea is defined as stomach discomfort and the sensation of an urge to vomit. Vomiting is the forcible voluntary or involuntary emptying of contents of the stomach through the mouth.
Granisetron contains an anti-emetic (eases vomiting symptoms) medicine, 'Granisetron' that belongs to the class of serotonin receptor antagonists or serotonin blockers. It works by blocking the activity of serotonin (chemical messenger) in the brain that triggers nausea and vomiting during cancer treatment (chemotherapy or radiation therapy) or after surgery.
Your doctor will decide the dose and duration based on the severity of your medical condition. Common side effects of Granisetron include diarrhoea, constipation, stomach pain, weakness, headache, fever, dizziness, drowsiness, trouble sleeping , and anxiety. These side effects are not familiar to everyone and vary individually. If you notice any side effects that are not manageable, please consult your doctor.
If you use other prescription or non-prescription medicines, inform your doctor before using Granisetron. Let your doctor know if you have any liver, kidney, or heart diseases, stomach/intestinal problems, allergic reactions , and low levels of potassium and magnesium in the blood before starting Granisetron. Granisetron may make you dizzy or drowsy, hence avoid driving if you are not mentally alert. Consult your doctor before taking Granisetron if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Granisetron as it could lead to increased drowsiness.
Uses of Granisetron
Medicinal Benefits
Granisetron contains an anti-emetic drug, 'Granisetron' that treats nausea and vomiting caused due to cancer treatment (chemotherapy or radiation therapy) or after surgery, etc. Granisetron belongs to the class of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists (also called serotonin receptor antagonists or serotonin blockers). When the cells lining the gastrointestinal tract are damaged by chemotherapy or radiation therapy, they release a natural substance called serotonin (5HT3, 5-hydroxytryptamine). This serotonin binds to serotonin receptors on nerves that induces nausea and vomiting. Granisetron works by blocking the activity of serotonin in the brain and preventing post-operative nausea and vomiting.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Granisetron
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- Weakness
- Headache
- Fever
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Trouble sleeping
- Anxiety
Drug Warnings
Granisetron may cause serotonin syndrome/toxicity when used with other drugs like ecstasy (MDMA) and antidepressants. Hence it is suggested to seek medical advice if you are using any prescription or non-prescription medicines. Inform your doctor if you have a history of stomach/intestinal problems like stomach ache, wind, feeling or being sick, and difficulty passing stools, heart problems, electrolyte imbalance (potassium, sodium or calcium), and liver or kidney diseases before starting Granisetron. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding if the doctor has advised you Granisetron. Granisetron may make you feel dizzy, so drive only if you are alert. Avoid consuming alcohol as it could lead to increased dizziness. Granisetron is not recommended in children below two years of age.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Granisetron may interact with antidepressants (lithium, duloxetine), heart-related drugs (amiodarone, quinidine), antipsychotic drugs (pimozide), HIV/AIDS drugs (ritonavir), antibiotics (erythromycin) and St. John's wort, a plant-based medicine used for depression and mood disorders.
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid alcohol consumption while being treated with Granisetron to prevent adverse effects.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Before using Granisetron, let your doctor know if you have any stomach/intestinal problems like stomach ache, wind, feeling or being sick or difficulty passing stools, heart problems, electrolyte imbalance (potassium, sodium or calcium), liver or kidney diseases.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionYou are recommended to limit or avoid alcohol consumption while taking Granisetron. Alcohol intake, along with Granisetron, may cause increased dizziness.
Pregnancy
cautionIt is not known if Granisetron affects pregnancy. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive before using Granisetron.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. Please consult your doctor before taking Granisetron if you are a nursing mother.
Driving
cautionGranisetron may make you feel dizzy that affects your mental ability. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience dizziness.
Liver
cautionGranisetron should be cautiously used by patients with liver diseases. Please consult your doctor if you have a history of liver impairment before starting Granisetron.
Kidney
cautionGranisetron should be cautiously used by patients with kidney problems. Please consult your doctor if you have a history of kidney impairment/kidney disease.
Children
cautionSafety and efficacy of Granisetron are not established in children below 2 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid chocolates, junk food, cheese, processed food, alcohol and smoking.
- You can try increasing your mindfulness by doing yoga, meditation, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and stress reduction techniques.
- Drink enough water to stay hydrated and limit or avoid alcohol and caffeine.
- Include a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables and fruits. This is a healthier option than eating a lot of simple carbohydrates found in processed foods.
- You can include antioxidants in your daily diet like ashwagandha, omega-3 fatty acids, green tea and lemon balm.
- Try to spend time with your friends and family. Having a strong social network may help you lower your risk of anxiety.
Special Advise
Let your doctor know that you are taking Granisetron if you are undergoing any medical tests.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Nausea is defined as stomach discomfort and the sensation of an urge to vomit. It is a precursor to vomiting. It is not a painful symptom but can cause discomfort in the chest, upper abdomen or back of the throat. Nausea can be triggered by various factors like motion from a car and plane, taking pills on an empty stomach, eating too much or too little and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.
Vomiting or throwing up is the forcible voluntary or involuntary emptying of the stomach contents through the mouth. Vomiting can also occur without having any underlying diseases in conditions like pregnancy, hangover, overeating and motion sickness. Nausea or vomiting may be triggered by many factors, including food poisoning, gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining), an ulcer or bulimia (eating disorder).
FAQs
Granisetron contains Granisetron, an anti-emetic drug. It is a serotonin blocker that blocks the activity of serotonin, a chemical messenger that induces nausea and vomiting after treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Thus, Granisetron relieves from post-operative nausea and vomiting symptoms.
Granisetron may cause constipation as one of its side effects. You can avoid it by including high fibre food in your diet that improves your digestion. Limit the intake of alcohol to manage your constipation.
Granisetron should be used with caution if you have recent stomach/intestinal problems like stomach ache, wind, feeling or being sick or difficulty passing stools, heart problems, electrolyte imbalance (potassium, sodium or calcium), and liver or kidney diseases.
You are advised to complete the course prescribed by your doctor. Please do not stop taking this medicine unless advised by your doctor since it may lead to recurrent episodes of nausea and vomiting.
Take Granisetron as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose.
