Skip to main navigation Skip to main content Skip to footer For Medicare For Providers For Brokers For Employers Español For Individuals & Families: For Individuals & Families Medical Dental Other Supplemental Explore coverage through work How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics Shop for Medicare plans Member Guide Find a Doctor Log in to myCigna
Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library granisetron (injection)

granisetron (injection)

Pronunciation: gra NIS e tron

Brand: Sustol

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

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

Before you are treated with granisetron injection, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, especially heart problems. Also, make sure your doctor knows about all the medicines you are using.

What is granisetron?

What is granisetron?

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

Granisetron injection is used to prevent nausea and vomiting that may be caused by medicine to treat cancer (chemotherapy), or after having surgery.

Granisetron is sometimes used together with other anti-nausea medications.

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

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving granisetron?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving granisetron?

You should not receive granisetron if you are allergic to it.

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

  • kidney disease;
  • 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);
  • if you have recently had stomach or intestinal surgery; or
  • if you are allergic to a medicine like granisetron (dolasetron, ondansetron, Aloxi, Anzemet, Lotronex, Zofran, or others).

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether granisetron passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How is granisetron given?

How is granisetron given?

Granisetron is injected under the skin, or into a vein through an IV.

A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Granisetron injection is usually given at least 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy.

When used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by surgery, you will receive granisetron injection either before or after the procedure.

Your doctor will determine how often to treat you with granisetron, and for how long.

What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I miss a dose?

Because you will receive granisetron injection in a clinical setting, you are not likely to miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

What happens if I overdose?

Since this medicine is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid while receiving granisetron?

What should I avoid while receiving granisetron?

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

What are the possible side effects of granisetron?

What are the possible side effects of granisetron?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Some side effects may occur up to 2 weeks or more after you have received a granisetron injection.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • pain, swelling, bleeding, skin changes, or a hard lump where the injection was given;
  • severe constipation;
  • headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats;
  • 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;
  • stomach pain, constipation;
  • fever; or
  • abnormal liver function tests.

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?

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.

Receiving granisetron while you are using certain other medicines can cause high levels of serotonin to build up in your body, a condition called "serotonin syndrome," which can be fatal. Tell your doctor if you also use:

  • 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?

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about granisetron.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

<cipublic-spinner variant="large"><span>Loading…</span></cipublic-spinner>

Page Footer

I want to...

Get an ID card File a claim View my claims and EOBs Check coverage under my plan See prescription drug list Find an in-network doctor, dentist, or facility Find a form Find 1095-B tax form information View the Cigna Glossary Contact Cigna

Audiences

Individuals and Families Medicare Employers Brokers Providers

Secure Member Sites

myCigna member portal Health Care Provider portal Cigna for Employers Client Resource Portal Cigna for Brokers

The Cigna Group Information

About The Cigna Group Company Profile Careers Newsroom Investors Suppliers The Cigna Group Third Party Administrators International Evernorth

 Cigna. All rights reserved.

Privacy Legal Product Disclosures Cigna Company Names Customer Rights Accessibility Non-Discrimination Notice Language Assistance [PDF] Report Fraud Sitemap Cookie Settings

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details