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. Granisetron 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 of granisetron include headache, weakness, and diarrhea.

 

What Is Granisetron?

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 granisetron uses, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes Granisetron?

Granisetron is made by Roche Pharmaceuticals.
 

How Does Granisetron Work?

Nausea and vomiting are complex processes involving many chemicals in the body and several parts of the body, including the brain and the small intestine. It is likely that granisetron works in the small intestine, but it may also work in the brain.
 
Granisetron works by blocking serotonin, a chemical produced by the body that is associated with nausea and vomiting. Serotonin has many effects in the body and has several receptors where it can bind. Granisetron blocks serotonin at a specific type of receptor (the 5-HT3 receptor), which is important for nausea and vomiting. It has no effects on other types of serotonin receptors in the body.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;