GRANISETRON

Serotonin (5HT₃) receptor antagonist which blocks 5HT₃ receptors in the gastro-intestinal tract and the CNS

Dosage Forms

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Solution for injection

1mg/ml

Uses

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  • Acute nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy
  • Post-operative nausea and vomiting

Dose and Duration

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Administer as a slow IV injection over at least 30 seconds or as a diluted IV infusion over 5 minutes.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
  • Adult and child > 12 years: prevention, 1–3 mg (0.01–0.04 mg/kg) 5 minutes before start of chemotherapy or radiotherapy; treatment, initially, 1–3 mg (0.01–0.04 mg/kg), then maintenance doses administered as required, the doses given at least 10 minutes apart from each other (max 9 mg in 24 hours)
  • Child 1 month–12 years: prevention, 0.01–0.04 mg/kg (max 3 mg) before start of chemotherapy or radiotherapy: treatment, 0.01–0.04 mg/kg (max 3 mg) repeated at least 10 minutes after initial dose if necessary (max 2 doses in 24 hours)
Postoperative nausea and vomiting
  • Adult: prevention, by IV injection, 1 mg (0.01 mg/kg) before induction of anaesthesia; treatment, 1mg by slow intravenous injection (max 3 mg in 24 hours)

Preparation

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  • Dilute solution for injection in 5 ml of sodium chloride 0.9% or glucose 5%
  • Dilute 3 ml of solution for infusion in 20–50 ml infusion fluid (up to 3 ml in 10–30 ml of infusion fluid for children)

Contraindications

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  • Hypersensitivity to granisetron

Side Effects

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  • Constipation, diarrhoea
  • Headache
  • Insomnia
  • Increased liver transaminases

Pregnancy

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  • Do not use

Breast-feeding

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  • Do not Use

⚠️ Caution

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  • Monitor patients with signs of sub-acute intestinal obstruction following administration since granisetron reduces lower bowel motility
  • Use with caution in patients with cardiac co-morbidities or electrolyte abnormalities