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Granisetron
Granisetron is a prescription drug that is licensed to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy or radiation. The medicine works by blocking serotonin in the body. The medicine comes in tablet form, but an injectable form is also available for preventing nausea and vomiting in people who are about to undergo surgery or chemotherapy. Potential side effects include headache, weakness, and diarrhea.
Granisetron hydrochloride (Kytril®) is a prescription medication used to prevent nausea and vomiting due to the following causes:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation.
Granisetron comes in tablet form. An injectable form of granisetron is also available for the prevention of nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy or surgery.
(Click What Is Granisetron Used For? for more information on the drug's uses, including possible off-label uses.)
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with granisetron. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects of granisetron include, but are not limited to:
- Headaches
- Constipation
- Weakness
- Diarrhea
- Hair loss (see Kytril and Hair Loss).
(Click Side Effects of Granisetron to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD