Are you or someone you know receiving chemotherapy or radiation for cancer treatment? Nausea and vomiting are a big problem for many people. It's really uncomfortable. So today we're going to talk about a special medicine that doctors prescribe to reduce this discomfort and make the treatment a little easier. That's Granisetron.
Simply put, what is Granisetron?
Granisetron is a medicine that blocks certain chemical signals in your body that make you feel sick and vomit. In other words, it stops the brain from sending the message "I feel sick, I want to vomit." These medicines are called antiemetics . Their main function is to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy or radiation. Sometimes, your doctor may prescribe this medicine for other reasons.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
It is very important that your doctor is fully aware of your health condition before prescribing this medicine to you. Therefore, if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor about them.
- Liver disease: If you have any liver-related condition.
- Allergies: If you have an allergy to Granisetron, Ondansetron (a similar drug), any other medicine, food, dyes, or preservatives.
- Pregnancy: If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother: If you are a mother who is breastfeeding your child.
Based on this information, your doctor will decide whether this medication is right for you or whether the dosage needs to be changed.
How should I use the medicine?
This medicine usually comes in the form of a tablet. Swallow the tablet with a glass of water. Follow the instructions on the label that came with your medicine exactly as prescribed. Do not take more than your doctor tells you to or more often than prescribed.
The most important thing is that this medicine is for you only. Never share your medicine with anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you.
Should this medicine be given to small children?
Special care should be taken when giving this medicine to young children. Therefore, if you are giving this medicine to your child, talk to your doctor about it and get advice.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
Imagine that you have taken more of this medicine than you should. If that happens , don't delay .
- Immediately call the National Poison Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital .
- Otherwise, go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) .
What if I miss a dose of medication?
This is a problem that many people have. But this does not apply to Granisetron. Because this medicine is usually given only on the same day as you receive chemotherapy or radiation. Therefore, the problem of 'missing a dose' does not arise here, since it does not have to be taken daily like a regular medicine.
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
Some medicines can cause problems when taken with Granisetron. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and even herbal remedies. You can find more information about this in the table below.
| Type of medicine | Description and examples |
|---|---|
| Medicines that should never be taken with Granisetron | |
| Some antifungal medications | For example: Medicines like Fluconazole, Itraconazole, Ketoconazole. |
| Other medications | Dronedarone, Pimozide, Thioridazine |
| Other medications that may interact with Granisetron | |
| Medication for mental illness | Medications for conditions such as depression and anxiety. |
| Painkillers | Fentanyl, Tramadol |
| MAOI drugs | Such as Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate. |
| Medications that affect heart rhythm | Medicines that can cause heart rhythm abnormalities (prolong the QT interval). For example: Dofetilide, Ziprasidone |
| Other | Linezolid, Methylene blue (given intravenously), Phenobarbital |
This list is not exhaustive, so it's safest to tell your doctor about all the medications you take.
Side effects to be aware of when taking medication
Like any medicine, Granisetron can cause side effects. However, not everyone gets them. Some side effects are serious and need immediate medical attention. Some are mild and go away after a few days.
| Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Changes in heart rate | Feeling like your heart is beating fast or irregularly, dizziness, fainting, chest pain, difficulty breathing. |
| Serotonin syndrome | Restlessness, confusion, rapid heartbeat, muscle stiffness or twitching, excessive sweating, high fever, convulsions, chills, vomiting, diarrhea. |
| Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (but should be reported to the doctor if they persist) | |
| Constipation | Difficulty going to the toilet. |
| Diarrhea | Flatulence. |
| Fatigue | Feeling tired. |
| Headache | Headache. |
| Stomach pain | Abdominal pain. |
How to keep medicine safe?
- Keep it out of the reach of small children. This is very important.
- Store at normal room temperature (between 15 and 30 Celsius).
- Keep in a dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Discard expired medication without using it.
Take-Home Message
- Granisetron is a medicine used to control nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment.
- Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and all other medications you are taking.
- Take only the prescribed dose as prescribed by your doctor. Never share your medicine with others.
- If serious side effects (such as allergies, changes in heart rate) occur, seek medical advice immediately.
- If you suspect an overdose, call the National Poisons Information Centre immediately or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU).
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