Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Granisetron Hydrochloride Injection (Omega Laboratories)
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
What the medication is used for:
Granisetron Hydrochloride Injection is one of a group called antiemetics and it can only be obtained with a prescription from your doctor.
Granisetron Hydrochloride Injection is intended to prevent nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting which may occur after you receive cancer chemotherapy.
What it does:
Cancer chemotherapies are thought to cause the release of serotonin, a natural substance in the body. Serotonin can cause you to feel sick and to vomit. Granisetron, the active ingredient in Granisetron Hydrochloride Injection, will stop the action of serotonin and help prevent you from feeling sick and vomiting.
When it should not be used:
- Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to granisetron or any of the ingredients Granisetron Hydrochloride Injection contains.
- If you are taking apomorphine.
What the medicinal ingredient is:
Granisetron hydrochloride
What the nonmedicinal ingredients are:
Each injection contains the following inactive ingredients:
Sodium Chloride, Benzyl Alcohol, Citric Acid Monohydrate, Water for Injection and Hydrochloric Acid and/or Sodium Hydroxide for pH adjustment.
What dosage forms it comes in:
Granisetron Hydrochloride Injection is supplied in amber glass multi-use vials of 1 mL or 4 mL packaged in boxes of ten (10) and one (1) vial, respectively. Each vial contains 1 mg/mL granisetron as hydrochloride.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
BEFORE you use Granisetron Hydrochloride Injection talk to your doctor or pharmacist if:
- You have any allergies to similar antiemetics such as dolasetron mesylate (Anzemet®) or ondansetron (Zofran®).
You are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
- You have liver problems.
- You have a history of heart problems.
- You have been told by a doctor that you have a blockage of your gut or if you have severe constipation, pain or swelling in your stomach.
- You are taking other medications, including drugs you can buy without a prescription and herbal products.
Serotonin Syndrome is a rare but potentially life-threatening reaction that may occur if you take Granisetron Hydrochloride Injection with certain other medications. It may cause serious changes in how your brain, muscles, and digestive system work. Be sure to tell your healthcare professional all the medicines you are taking.
As Granisetron Hydrochloride Injection may cause drowsiness, you should avoid driving a car or operating hazardous machinery until you know it does not affect you.
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
As with most medicines, interactions with other drugs are possible. To avoid potentially life-threatening reactions, tell your healthcare professional about ALL the medicines you take, including drugs prescribed by other doctors, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements, or alternative medicines.
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
This medicine is only for you, the person for whom the prescription was written. Do not give this medication to others.
Usual adult dose:
Granisetron Hydrochloride Injection will be given to you by hospital staff before and/or after your therapy.
Overdose:
| If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much Granisetron Hydrochloride Injection, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or regional poison control centre |
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IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ
| immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
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SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
If you experience an allergic reaction (e.g. shortness of breath, drop in blood pressure, skin lumps or hives), contact your doctor immediately. Do not take any more medicine unless instructed to do so by your doctor.
You may experience headaches, constipation, weakness, sleepiness, diarrhea or abdominal pain while taking Granisetron Hydrochloride Injection. You may also experience pain, anemia or fever while on Granisetron Hydrochloride Injection therapy. There is no need to stop the medicine but you should tell your doctor about these symptoms.
| SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN THEY HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM | ||
|---|---|---|
| Symptom / effect | Talk with your doctor or pharmacist | Stop taking drug and seek immediate medical help |
| Only if severe | In all cases | |
| Rare | ||
Allergic reaction - symptoms include swelling of the mouth, throat, difficulty in breathing, rash, hives, increased heart rate | ||
| ✓ | ||
Disturbance in heart rhythm - dizziness, palpitations (fast, pounding or irregular heart beat), chest pain, fainting | ||
| ✓ | ||
Serotonin Syndrome - symptoms that may be observed when granisetron hydrochloride is | ||
| ✓ | ||
taken with certain other medications include: •Fever, sweating, shivering, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting •Muscle shakes, jerks, twitches or stiffness, overactive reflexes, loss of coordination •Fast heartbeat, changes in blood pressure •Confusion, agitation, restlessness, hallucinations, mood changes, unconsciousness, and coma |
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking Granisetron Hydrochloride Injection, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
HOW TO STORE IT
Granisetron Hydrochloride Injection should be stored at controlled room temperature (15-30°C). Discard unused portion. Protect from light. The vial should be used within 30 days once opened.
The expiry date of this medicine is printed on the label. Do not use the medicine after this date. Keep your medicine in a safe place out of the reach of children.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
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IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
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MORE INFORMATION
If you want more information about Granisetron Hydrochloride Injection:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for health professionals and includes this Consumer Information by visiting the Health Canada website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-product-database.html); the manufacturer’s website https://www.omegapharma.ca/, or by calling at 1-800-363-0584.