Granisetron Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 30, 2024.

Applies to granisetron: intravenous solution.

Other dosage forms:

• transdermal patch extended release

Common side effects of granisetron

Some side effects of granisetron may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• abdominal or stomach pain
• diarrhea
• difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
• headache
• lack or loss of strength
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting

Less common side effects

• agitation
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• fear
• heartburn
• indigestion
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• sour stomach
• trouble with sleeping
• unusual taste in the mouth

Serious side effects of granisetron

Along with its needed effects, granisetron may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking granisetron:

Less common side effects

• blurred vision
• fever
• nervousness
• pounding in the ears
• slow or fast heartbeat

Rare side effects

• arm, back, or jaw pain
• chest pain or discomfort
• chest tightness or heaviness
• confusion
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fainting
• irregular heartbeat
• nausea
• shortness of breath
• skin rash, hives, and itching
• sweating

For healthcare professionals

Applies to granisetron: intravenous solution, oral solution, oral tablet, subcutaneous suspension extended release, transdermal film extended release.

General adverse events

ORAL: The most commonly reported side effects included headache, constipation, and asthenia.

PARENTERAL: The most commonly reported side effects included injection site reactions, constipation, headache, and diarrhea.

TRANSDERMAL: The most commonly reported side effects included constipation, QT prolongation, and headache.^[Ref]

Local

PARENTERAL:

• Very common (10% or more): Any injection site reactions (up to 62%), bruising/hematoma (up to 45%), tenderness (up to 27%), pain (up to 20%), mass/nodule (up to 18%), erythema/redness (up to 17%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Bleeding, induration/swelling, infection at injection site, other
• Frequency not reported: Discoloration, irritation, lipoma, paresthesia, pruritus, rash, reaction, scab, scar, vesicles, warmth

TRANSDERMAL:

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Application site irritation
• Frequency not reported: Application site erythema, application site pain, application site pruritus, application site rash, application site reactions
• Postmarketing reports: Application site burn, application site discoloration, application site urticaria, application site vesicles, patch non-adhesion^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

ORAL:

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 20%), constipation (up to 18%), vomiting (up to 12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspepsia

PARENTERAL:

• Very common (10% or more): Constipation (up to 22%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux
• Frequency not reported: Pancreatitis

TRANSDERMAL:

• Common (1% to 10%): Constipation
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dry mouth, nausea, retching
• Frequency not reported: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting^[Ref]

Nervous system

ORAL:

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 21%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Central nervous system (CNS) stimulation, dizziness, somnolence, taste disorder
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Serotonin syndrome
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Extrapyramidal syndrome, syncope
• Frequency not reported: Autonomic dysfunction, extrapyramidal symptoms, neuromuscular abnormalities

PARENTERAL:

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 14%)
• Common (1% to 10%): CNS stimulation, dizziness, somnolence, taste disorder
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Extrapyramidal reactions, serotonin syndrome
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Extrapyramidal syndrome, syncope

TRANSDERMAL:

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Headache, vertigo
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Dyskinesia, dystonia
• Frequency not reported: Dizziness, extrapyramidal reactions, somnolence, syncope^[Ref]

Drug-induced headache is generally mild. In clinical trials, headache typically resolved spontaneously or was relieved by analgesics.^[Ref]

Other

ORAL:

• Very common (10% or more): Asthenia (up to 18%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Fever

PARENTERAL:

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (up to 21%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, fever

TRANSDERMAL:

• Frequency not reported: Asthenia, fever^[Ref]

Hepatic

ORAL:

• Common (1% to 10%): ALT elevation, AST elevation, elevated hepatic transaminases, transient ALT increases, transient AST increases

PARENTERAL:

• Common (1% to 10%): ALT elevation, AST elevation, transaminases increased, transient ALT increases, transient AST increases
• Frequency not reported: Elevation of serum transaminase levels

TRANSDERMAL:

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): ALT increased, AST increased, GGT increased
• Frequency not reported: Elevated hepatic transaminases^[Ref]

Psychiatric

ORAL:

• Common (1% to 10%): Agitation, anxiety, insomnia
• Frequency not reported: Altered mental status

PARENTERAL:

• Common (1% to 10%): Agitation, anxiety, insomnia

TRANSDERMAL:

• Frequency not reported: Anxiety, insomnia^[Ref]

Hematologic

ORAL:

• Common (1% to 10%): Anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia

PARENTERAL:

• Common (1% to 10%): Anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia

TRANSDERMAL:

• Frequency not reported: Anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia^[Ref]

Dermatologic

ORAL:

• Common (1% to 10%): Alopecia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rash/skin rashes, urticaria

PARENTERAL:

• Common (1% to 10%): Alopecia, rash/skin rashes
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urticaria

TRANSDERMAL:

• Frequency not reported: Alopecia, rash, urticaria^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

ORAL:

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): QT prolongation
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Angina pectoris, arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, ECG abnormalities, hypotension, non-sustained tachycardia, sinus bradycardia, varying degrees of atrioventricular (AV) block, ventricular ectopy

PARENTERAL:

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): QT prolongation
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Angina pectoris, arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, ECG abnormalities, hypotension, non-sustained tachycardia, sinus bradycardia, varying degrees of AV block, ventricular ectopy
• Frequency not reported: Flushing
• Postmarketing reports: Bradycardia, chest pain, palpitations, sick sinus syndrome

TRANSDERMAL:

• Common (1% to 10%): QT prolongation
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Flushing, generalized edema
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Angina pectoris, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, hypotension
• Postmarketing reports: Bradycardia, chest pain, palpitations, sick sinus syndrome^[Ref]

Metabolic

ORAL:

• Common (1% to 10%): Decreased appetite

PARENTERAL:

• Common (1% to 10%): Decreased appetite

TRANSDERMAL:

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Decreased appetite^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

ORAL:

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity reactions
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Severe hypersensitivity reactions

PARENTERAL:

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity reactions

TRANSDERMAL:

• Frequency not reported: Anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity reactions/severe hypersensitivity reactions^[Ref]

Respiratory

ORAL:

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Shortness of breath

PARENTERAL:

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Shortness of breath

TRANSDERMAL:

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Shortness of breath^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

TRANSDERMAL:

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arthralgia^[Ref]

Further information

Granisetron side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer