Granisetron Hydrochloride
FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Granisetron, Granisetron Hydrochloride, Granisol
- Brand Names
- Granisetron, Granisetron Hydrochloride, Granisol
- Dosage Form
- POWDER
- Product Type
- BULK INGREDIENT
Description
11 DESCRIPTION Granisetron hydrochloride injection, USP is a serotonin-3 (5-HT 3 ) receptor antagonist. Chemically it is endo -N-(9-methyl-9-azabicyclo [3.3.1] non-3-yl)-1-methyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide hydrochloride with a molecular weight of 348.9 (312.4 free base). Its molecular formula is C 18 H 24 N 4 O
What Is Granisetron Hydrochloride Used For?
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Granisetron hydrochloride injection, is a serotonin-3 (5-HT 3 ) receptor antagonist indicated for: The prevention of nausea and/or vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of emetogenic cancer therapy, including high-dose cisplatin. The prevention and treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting in adults. As with other antiemetics, routine prophylaxis is not recommended in patients in whom there is little expectation that nausea and/or vomiting will occur postoperatively. In patients where nausea and/or vomiting must be avoided during the postoperative period, granisetron hydrochloride injection is recommended even where the incidence of postoperative nausea and/or vomiting is low. Granisetron hydrochloride injection, is a serotonin-3 (5-HT 3 ) receptor antagonist indicated for: Prevention of nausea and/or vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of emetogenic cancer therapy, including high-dose cisplatin. ( 1 ) Prevention and treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting in adults. ( 1 )
Dosage and Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting ( 2.1 ): Recommended dosage is 10 mcg/kg intravenously within 30 minutes before initiation of chemotherapy Pediatric patients (2 to 16 years): Recommended dosage is 10 mcg/kg Prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting ( 2.2 ): Recommended dosage is 1 mg, undiluted, administered intravenously over 30 seconds, before anesthetic induction or immediately before reversal of anesthesia. Treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting ( 2.2 ): Recommended dosage is 1 mg, undiluted, administered intravenously over 30 seconds. 2.1 Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting Adult Patients The recommended dosage for granisetron hydrochloride injection, is 10 mcg/kg administered intravenously within 30 minutes before initiation of chemotherapy, and only on the day(s) chemotherapy is given. Infusion Preparation Granisetron hydrochloride injection, may be administered intravenously either undiluted over 30 seconds, or diluted with 0.9% Sodium Chloride or 5% Dextrose and infused over 5 minutes. Stability Intravenous infusion of granisetron hydrochloride injection, should be prepared at the time of administration. However, granisetron hydrochloride injection, has been shown to be stable for at least 24 hours when diluted in 0.9% Sodium Chloride or 5% Dextrose and stored at room temperature under normal lighting conditions. As a general precaution, granisetron hydrochloride injection, should not be mixed in solution with other drugs. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration before administration whenever solution and container permit. Pediatric Patients The recommended dose in pediatric patients 2 to 16 years of age is 10 mcg/kg [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . Pediatric patients under 2 years of age have not been studied. 2.2 Prevention and Treatment of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting Adult Patients The recommended dosage for prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting is 1 mg of granisetron hydrochloride injection, undiluted, administered intravenously over 30 seconds, before induction of anesthesia or immediately before reversal of anesthesia. The recommended dosage for the treatment of nausea and/or vomiting after surgery is 1 mg of granisetron hydrochloride injection, undiluted, administered intravenously over 30 seconds.
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS QT prolongation has been reported with granisetron hydrochloride [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Drug Interactions (7) ] . Most common adverse reactions: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (≥ 3%): Headache, and constipation (6.1) Postoperative nausea and vomiting (≥ 2%): Pain, headache, fever, abdominal pain and hepatic enzymes increased ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Eugia US LLC at 1-866-850-2876 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in patients. Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting The following have been reported during controlled clinical trials or in the routine management of patients. The percentage figures are based on clinical trial experience only. Table 1 gives the comparative frequencies of the two most commonly reported adverse reactions (≥ 3%) in patients receiving granisetron hydrochloride injection, in single-day chemotherapy trials. These patients received chemotherapy, primarily cisplatin, and intravenous fluids during the 24-hour period following granisetron hydrochloride injection administration. Reactions were generally recorded over seven days post-granisetron hydrochloride injection administration. Table 1 Principal Adverse Reactions in Clinical Trials — Single-Day Chemotherapy 1 Metoclopramide/dexamethasone and phenothiazines/dexamethasone. Percent of Patients With Reaction G ranisetron Hydrochlorid e Injection 40 mcg/kg (n = 1268) Comparator 1 (n = 422) Headache Constipation 14% 3% 6% 3% Additional adverse events reported in clinical trials were asthenia, somnolence and diarrhea. In over 3,000 patients receiving granisetron hydrochloride injection (2 to 160 mcg/kg) in single-day and multiple-day clinical trials with emetogenic cancer therapies, adverse events, other than those adverse reactions listed in Table 1, were observed; attribution of many of these events to granisetron hydrochloride is uncertain. Hepatic: In comparative trials, mainly with cisplatin regimens, elevations of AST and ALT (> 2 times the upper limit of normal) following administration of granisetron hydrochloride injection occurred in 2.8% and 3.3% of patients, respectively. These frequencies were not significantly different from those seen with comparators (AST: 2.1%; ALT: 2.4%). Cardiovascular: Hypertension (2%); hypotension, arrhythmias such as sinus bradycardia, atrial fibrillation, varying degrees of A-V block, ventricular ectopy including non-sustained tachycardia, and ECG abnormalities have been observed rarely. Central Nervous System: Agitation, anxiety, CNS stimulation and insomnia were seen in less than 2% of patients. Extrapyramidal syndrome occurred rarely and only in the presence of other drugs associated with this syndrome. Hypersensitivity: Rare cases of hypersensitivity reactions, sometimes severe (e.g., anaphylaxis, shortness of breath, hypotension, urticaria) have been reported. Other: Fever (3%), taste disorder (2%), skin rashes (1%). In multiple-day comparative studies, fever occurred more frequently with granisetron hydrochloride injection (8.6%) than with comparative drugs (3.4%, P < 0.014), which usually included dexamethasone. Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting The adverse reactions listed in Table 2 were reported in ≥ 2% of adults receiving granisetron hydrochloride injection 1 mg during controlled clinical trials. Table 2 Adverse Reactions in Controlled Clinical Trials in Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (Reported in ≥ 2% of Adults Receiving Granisetron Hydrochloride Injection 1 mg) Percent of Patients With Reaction Granisetron Hydrochloride Injection 1 mg (n=267) Placebo (n=266) Pain 10.1 8.3 Headache 8.6 7.1 Fever 7.9 4.5 Abdominal Pain 6 6 Hepatic...
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Granisetron does not induce or inhibit the cytochrome P-450 drug-metabolizing enzyme system in vitro . There have been no definitive drug-drug interaction studies to examine pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic interaction with other drugs; however, in humans, granisetron hydrochloride injection has been safely administered with drugs representing benzodiazepines, neuroleptics and anti-ulcer medications commonly prescribed with antiemetic treatments. Granisetron hydrochloride injection also does not appear to interact with emetogenic cancer chemotherapies. Because granisetron is metabolized by hepatic cytochrome P-450 drug-metabolizing enzymes, inducers or inhibitors of these enzymes may change the clearance and, hence, the half-life of granisetron. No specific interaction studies have been conducted in anesthetized patients. In addition, the activity of the cytochrome P-450 subfamily 3A4 (involved in the metabolism of some of the main narcotic analgesic agents) is not modified by granisetron hydrochloride in vitro . In in vitro human microsomal studies, ketoconazole inhibited ring oxidation of granisetron hydrochloride. However, the clinical significance of in vivo pharmacokinetic interactions with ketoconazole is not known. In a human pharmacokinetic study, hepatic enzyme induction with phenobarbital resulted in a 25% increase in total plasma clearance of intravenous granisetron hydrochloride. The clinical significance of this change is not known. QT prolongation has been reported with granisetron hydrochloride. Use of granisetron hydrochloride in patients concurrently treated with drugs known to prolong the QT interval and/or are arrhythmogenic may result in clinical consequences. Serotonin syndrome (including altered mental status, autonomic instability, and neuromuscular symptoms) has been described following the concomitant use of 5-HT 3 receptor antagonists and other serotonergic drugs, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] . Granisetron hydrochloride injection has been administered safely with benzodiazepines, neuroleptics, and anti-ulcer medications. (7) Does not appear to interact with emetogenic cancer chemotherapies. (7) Inducers or inhibitors of CYP450 enzymes may change the clearance and therefore the half-life of granisetron. (7) Coadministration of granisetron hydrochloride with drugs known to prolong the QT interval and/or are arrhythmogenic may result in clinical consequences. (7)
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Granisetron hydrochloride injection is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylaxis, shortness of breath, hypotension, urticaria) to the drug or to any of its components. Hypersensitivity to granisetron or to any of its components. (4)
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
8.1 Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects Reproduction studies have been performed in pregnant rats at intravenous doses up to 9 mg/kg/day (54 mg/m 2 /day, 146 times the recommended human dose based on body surface area) and pregnant rabbits at intravenous doses up to 3 mg/kg/day (35.4 mg/m 2 /day, 96 times the recommended human dose based on body surface area) and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to granisetron. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
8.3 Nursing Mothers It is not known whether granisetron is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when granisetron hydrochloride injection is administered to a nursing woman.
Overdosage
10 OVERDOSAGE There is no specific antidote for granisetron hydrochloride injection overdosage. In case of overdosage, symptomatic treatment should be given. Overdosage of up to 38.5 mg of granisetron hydrochloride injection has been reported without symptoms or only the occurrence of a slight headache.
How Supplied
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Granisetron hydrochloride injection USP, 1 mg/mL (free base), is supplied in 1 mL Single-Dose Vials and 4 mg/4 mL Multiple-Dose Vials. 1 mg (base) per mL: Single-Dose Vials in a carton of 1 NDC 55150-175-01 4 mg per 4 mL (1 mg (base)/mL): Multiple-Dose Vials in a carton of 1 NDC 55150-176-04 Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Discard unused portion for the single-dose vials. Once the multiple-dose vial is penetrated, its contents should be used within 30 days. Do not freeze. Protect from light. Retain in carton until time of use. The vial stopper is not made with natural rubber latex.
About This Information
This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.
What are side effects?
Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.
What are drug interactions?
Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.