Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Kytril 1mg/1mL
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
What the medication is used for:
KYTRIL is one of a group called antiemetics and it can only be obtained with a prescription from your doctor.
KYTRIL is intended to prevent nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting which may occur after you receive cancer chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or after surgery.
What it does:
Cancer chemotherapies, radiation therapies, and surgery 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 KYTRIL tablets, 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 KYTRIL contains.
What the medicinal ingredient is:
Granisetron hydrochloride
What the nonmedicinal ingredients are:
Each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycollate and Opadry® YS-1-18027-A (hypromellose, titanium dioxide, macrogol 400, and polysorbate 80).
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:
KYTRIL tablets are supplied in two strengths: 1 mg and 2 mg tablets.
KYTRIL injections are supplied in clear glass multi-use vials of 1 mL or 4 mL packaged in boxes of 1 vial. Each vial contains 1 mg/mL granisetron as hydrochloride.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
BEFORE you use KYTRIL 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.
As KYTRIL may cause drowsiness, you should avoid driving a car or operating hazardous machinery until you know it does not affect you.
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:
Follow your doctor’s instructions about how often you should take your medicine and how many tablets you should take. This information is also on the label of the container of your medicine and if not, of if you have any questions, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Kytril injection will be given to you by hospital staff before and/or after your therapy or surgery.
Do not take more tablets or take your tablets more often than your doctor prescribes.
Overdose:
In the event that you accidentally take more tablets than your doctor prescribes, immediately contact your doctor, hospital emergency department, or the nearest poison control centre, even if you do not feel ill.
Missed Dose:
If you forget to take a tablet at the time it should be taken, take the tablet as soon as you remember it was missed.
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.
If you experience symptoms of heart problems such as palpitations (fast, pounding or irregular heart beat), chest pain, dizziness or fainting, tell your doctor or nurse immediately.
You may experience headaches, constipation, weakness, sleepiness, diarrhea or abdominal pain while taking KYTRIL. You may also experience pain, anemia or fever while on KYTRIL injection therapy. There is no need to stop the medicine but you should tell your doctor about these symptoms.
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking KYTRIL, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
HOW TO STORE IT
KYTRIL tablets should be kept at controlled room temperature (15° - 30°C) in their original pack.
KYTRIL IV should be stored at controlled room temperature (15° - 30°C). Discard unused portion. Protect form 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 SUSPECTED SIDE EFFECTS
To monitor drug safety, Health Canada through the Canada Vigilance Program collects information on
serious and unexpected side effects of drugs. If you suspect you have had a serious or unexpected reaction to this drug you may notify Canada Vigilance:
By toll-free telephone: 866-234-2345
By toll-free fax: 866-678-6789
Online: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect
By email: CanadaVigilance@hc-sc.gc.ca
By regular mail:
Canada Vigilance National Office
Marketed Health Products Safety and Effectiveness Information Bureau
Marketed Health Products Directorate
Health Products and Food Branch
Health Canada
Tunney’s Pasture, AL 0701C
Ottawa ON K1A 0K9
NOTE: Should you require information related to the management of the side effect, please contact your health care provider before notifying Canada Vigilance. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
MORE INFORMATION
This document plus the full product monograph, prepared for health professionals can be found at:
http://www.rochecanada.com or by contacting the sponsor, Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, at: 1-888-762-4388.
® Kytril, Registered Trade-Mark of F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, used under licence
® Anzemet, Registered Trade-Mark of Merrell Pharmaceuticals Inc.
® Zofran, Registered Trade-Mark of Glaxo Group Limited.