granisetron at a glance
Medicine class
Selective serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist antiemetic.
Main role
Prevents nausea and vomiting caused by moderately or highly emetogenic chemotherapy.
Form
A patch that releases granisetron gradually through intact skin.
Patch care
Do not cut it; protect it from sunlight and avoid external heat over it.
What is granisetron used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
Preventing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in adults receiving moderately or highly emetogenic multi-day chemotherapy when swallowing difficulty complicates oral anti-sickness treatment.
How does granisetron work?
Chemotherapy can trigger serotonin release in the gut, activating 5-HT3 receptors on nerves that signal the brain’s vomiting centre. Granisetron selectively blocks these receptors. The patch delivers it slowly through the skin, so its onset is more gradual than oral granisetron.
granisetron preparations and strengths
Transdermal patch
Route: Transdermal
Strengths: 3.1 mg/24 hours
How to take granisetron
Use the patch on the schedule provided by the chemotherapy team.
Open the sachet only when ready to apply the patch.
Apply to clean, dry, healthy skin on the outer upper arm; the abdomen may be used if the arm is unsuitable.
Avoid recently shaved, oily, irritated or damaged skin and areas treated with creams, oils, lotions or powders.
Do not cut the patch. Press it firmly into place, especially around the edges, then wash your hands.
Normal showering and washing can continue, but avoid prolonged soaking, swimming, strenuous exercise, saunas and whirlpools.
Keep the patch covered from natural or artificial sunlight and avoid hot-water bottles or heat pads over it.
After removal, fold the patch adhesive-side inward and discard it safely out of children’s reach.
granisetron side effects
Common or expected effects
- Constipation
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including breathing difficulty or facial swelling
- Serotonin syndrome, with features such as agitation, confusion, fever, sweating, tremor, muscle stiffness or fast heartbeat
- Severe or widespread skin reaction, blistering or marked irritation
- Constipation with abdominal pain or swelling, which needs prompt assessment
- Abnormal heart rhythm or significant ECG changes, particularly in susceptible people
granisetron in pregnancy
Human pregnancy information is limited, so the selected patch’s product information recommends avoiding it as a precaution. A small observational study found no increased malformation signal, but its findings are preliminary; use in pregnancy requires specialist assessment of individual benefits and risks.
granisetron while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether granisetron enters human milk. The selected patch’s product information says breastfeeding should be discontinued during treatment, while LactMed notes that direct evidence is unavailable. Discuss feeding options with the oncology team and a specialist breastfeeding medicines service.
granisetron interactions
Tell the prescriber about all prescription, non-prescription and complementary treatments, particularly:
SSRIs and SNRIs
Combining serotonergic antidepressants with granisetron may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Buprenorphine, opioids and other serotonergic medicines
The combination has been associated with serotonin syndrome and warrants clinical observation.
Phenobarbital
Enzyme induction may increase granisetron clearance and reduce exposure.
Common questions about granisetron
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is granisetron a steroid?
No. Granisetron is a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist anti-sickness treatment.
Does granisetron treat cancer?
No. It helps prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy but does not treat the cancer itself.
Why is granisetron available as a patch?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.