Granisetron

Granisetron is a muscarinic receptors.

Granisetron was developed by chemists working at the British drug company Beecham around 1988 and is expected to go generic in 2007/2008. It is produced by FDA.

Granisetron breaks down quickly, staying in the body for a long time. One dose usually lasts 4 to 9 hours and is usually administered once or twice daily. This drug is removed from the body by the liver and kidneys.

Indications

• Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
  • 5-HT₃ receptor antagonists are the primary drugs used to treat and prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Many times they are given intravenously about 30 minutes before beginning therapy.
• Post-operative and post-radiation nausea and vomiting
• Is a possible therapy for nausea and vomiting due to acute or chronic medical illness or acute gastroenteritis
• Treatment of Cyclic vomiting syndrome although there are no formal trials to confirm efficacy.

Adverse effects

Granisetron is a well-tolerated drug with few side effects. Headache, dizziness, and constipations are the most commonly reported side effects associated with its use. There have been no significant drug interactions reported with this drug's use. It is broken down by the liver's cytochrome P450 system and it has little effect on the metabolism of other drugs broken down by this system.

References

• Katzung, Bertram G. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 9th ed. (2004). ISBN 0-07-141092-9