Granisol

Granisetron hydrochloride · Solution · Oral

Prescription (Rx) Serotonin-3 Receptor Antagonist

Uses

Granisetron is indicated for the prevention of: Nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of emetogenic cancer therapy, including high-dose cisplatin. Nausea and vomiting associated with radiation, including total body irradiation and fractionated abdominal radiation.

Dosage and administration

Emetogenic Chemotherapy The recommended adult dosage of oral granisetron hydrochloride is 2 mg once daily or 1 mg twice daily. In the 2 mg once-daily regimen, 10 mL of GRANISOL oral solution (2 teaspoonfuls, equivalent to 2 mg of granisetron) are given up to 1 hour before chemotherapy. In the 1 mg twice-daily regimen, the first teaspoonful (5 mL) of GRANISOL oral solution is given up to 1 hour before chemotherapy, and the second teaspoonful (5 mL) of GRANISOL oral solution, 12 hours after the first. Either regimen is administered only on the day(s) chemotherapy is given. Continued treatment, while not on chemotherapy, has not been found to be useful. Use in the Elderly, Renal Failure Patients or Hepatically Impaired Patients No dosage adjustment is recommended (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: Pharmacokinetics ). Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. Radiation (Either Total Body Irradiation or Fractionated Abdominal Radiation) The recommended adult dosage of oral granisetron hydrochloride is 2 mg once daily. Ten milliliters of GRANISOL oral solution (2 teaspoonfuls, equivalent to 2 mg of granisetron) are taken within 1 hour of radiation. Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. Use in the Elderly No dosage adjustment is recommended.

Contraindications

Granisetron is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug or any of its components.

Warnings

Serotonin Syndrome The development of serotonin syndrome has been reported with 5-HT3 receptor antagonists alone but particularly with concomitant use of serotonergic drugs (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors, mirtazapine, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, and intravenous methylene blue). Some of the reported cases were fatal. Serotonin syndrome occurring with overdose of another 5-HT3 receptor antagonist alone has also been reported. The majority of reports of serotonin syndrome related to 5-HT3 receptor antagonist use occurred in a post-anesthesia care unit or an infusion center. Symptoms associated with serotonin syndrome may include mental status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, delirium, and coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, dizziness, diaphoresis, flushing, hyperthermia), neuromuscular symptoms (e.g., tremor, rigidity, myoclonus, hyperreflexia, incoordination), seizures, and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). Patients should be monitored for the emergence of serotonin syndrome, especially with concomitant use of granisetron and other serotonergic drugs. If symptoms of serotonin syndrome occur, discontinue granisetron and initiate supportive treatment. Patients should be informed of the increased risk of serotonin syndrome, especially if granisetron is used concomitantly with other serotonergic drugs [see Drug Interactions ].

Precautions

Granisetron is not a drug that stimulates gastric or intestinal peristalsis. It should not be used instead of nasogastric suction. The use of granisetron in patients following abdominal surgery or in patients with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting may mask a progressive ileus and/or gastric distention. An adequate QT assessment has not been conducted, but QT prolongation has been reported with granisetron. Therefore, GRANISOL oral solution should be used with caution in patients with pre-existing arrhythmias or cardiac conduction disorders, as this might lead to clinical consequences. Patients with cardiac disease, on cardio-toxic chemotherapy, with concomitant electrolyte abnormalities and/or on concomitant medications that prolong the QT interval are particularly at risk. 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, Kytril injection has been safely administered with drugs representing benzodiazepines, neuroleptics, and anti-ulcer medications commonly prescribed with antiemetic treatments. Kytril 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 in vitro. In in vitro human microsomal studies, ketoconazole inhibited ring oxidation of granisetron. 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. The clinical significance of this change is not known. QT prolongation has been reported with granisetron. Use of GRANISOL oral solution in patients concurrently treated with drugs known to prolong the QT interval and/or are arrhythmogenic may result in clinical consequences. Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility In a 24-month carcinogenicity study, rats were treated orally with granisetron 1, 5 or 50 mg/kg/day (6, 30 or 300 mg/m 2 /day). The 50 mg/kg/day dose was reduced to 25 mg/kg/day (150 mg/m 2 /day) during week 59 due to toxicity. For a 50 kg person of average height (1.46 m2 body surface area), these doses represent 4, 20, and 101 times the recommended clinical dose (1.48 mg/m 2 , oral) on a body surface area basis. There was a statistically significant increase in the incidence of hepatocellular carcinomas and adenomas in males treated with 5 mg/kg/day (30 mg/m2/day, 20 times the recommended human dose based on body surface area) and above, and in females treated with 25 mg/kg/day (150 mg/m 2 /day, 101 times the recommended human dose based on body surface area). No increase in liver tumors was observed at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day (6 mg/m 2 /day, 4 times the recommended human dose based on body surface area) in males and 5 mg/kg/day (30 mg/m 2 /day, 20 times the recommended human dose based on body surface area) in females. In a 12-month oral toxicity study, treatment with granisetron 100 mg/kg/day (600 mg/m 2 /day, 405 times the recommended human dose based on body surface area) produced hepatocellular adenomas in male and female rats while no such tumors were found in the control rats. A 24-month mouse carcinogenicity study of granisetron did not show a statistically significant increase in tumor incidence, but the study was not conclusive. Because of the tumor findings in rat studies, granisetron should be prescribed only at the dose and for the indication recommended (see INDICATIONS AND USAGE , and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ). Granisetron was not mutagenic in the in vitro Ames test and mouse lymphoma cell forward mutation assay, and in vivo mouse micronucleus test and in vitro and ex vivo rat hepatocyte UDS assays. It, however, produced a significant increase in UDS in HeLa cells in vitro and a significant increased incidence of cells with polyploidy in an in vitro human lymphocyte chromosomal aberration test. Granisetron at oral doses up to 100 mg/kg/day (600 mg/m 2 /day, 405 times the recommended human dose based on body surface area) was found to have no effect on fertility and reproductive performance of male and female rats. Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy Category B Reproduction studies have been performed in pregnant rats at oral doses up to 125 mg/kg/day (750 mg/m 2 /day, 507 times the recommended human dose based on body surface area) and pregnant rabbits at oral doses up to 32 mg/kg/day (378 mg/m 2 /day, 255 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. 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 is administered to a nursing woman. Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. Geriatric Use During clinical trials, 325 patients 65 years of age or older received Kytril tablets; 298 were 65 to 74 years of age, and 27 were 75 years of age or older. Efficacy and safety were maintained with increasing age.

Side effects

ADVERSE REACTIONS QT prolongation has been reported with granisetron (see PRECAUTIONS and Drug Interactions ). Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting Over 3700 patients have received Kytril tablets in clinical trials with emetogenic cancer therapies consisting primarily of cyclophosphamide or cisplatin regimens. In patients receiving Kytril tablets 1 mg bid for 1, 7 or 14 days, or 2 mg daily for 1 day, adverse experiences reported in more than 5% of the patients with comparator and placebo incidences are listed in Table 4 . Table 4 Principal Adverse Events in Clinical Trials Percent of Patients With Event Kytril 1 Tablets 1 mg twice a day (n=978) Kytril 1 Tablets 2 mg once a day N=1450) Comparator 2 (n=599) Placebo (n=185) Headache 3 21% 20% 13% 12% Constipation 18% 14% 16% 8% Asthenia 14% 18% 10% 45 Diarrhea 8% 9% 10% 4% Abdominal Pain 6% 4% 6% 3% Dyspepsia 4% 6% 5% 4% 1 Adverse events were recorded for 7 days when Kytril tablets were given on a single day and for up to 28 days when Kytril tablets were administered for 7 or 14 days. 2 Metoclopramide/dexamethasone; phenothiazines/dexamethasone; dexamethasone alone; prochlorperazine. 3 Usually mild to moderate in severity. Other adverse events reported in clinical trials were: Gastrointestinal : In single-day dosing studies in which adverse events were collected for 7 days, nausea (20%) and vomiting (12%) were recorded as adverse events after the 24-hour efficacy assessment period. Hepatic : In comparative trials, elevation of AST and ALT (> 2 times the upper limit of normal) following the administration of Kytril tablets occurred in 5% and 6% of patients, respectively. These frequencies were not significantly different from those seen with comparators (AST: 2%; ALT: 9%). Cardiovascular : Hypertension (1%); hypotension, angina pectoris, atrial fibrillation, and syncope have been observed rarely. Central Nervous System : Dizziness (5%), insomnia (5%), anxiety (2%), somnolence (1%). One case compatible with, but not diagnostic of, extrapyramidal symptoms has been reported in a patient treated with Kytril tablets. Hypersensitivity : Rare cases of hypersensitivity reactions, sometimes severe (eg, anaphylaxis, shortness of breath, hypotension, urticaria) have been reported. Other : Fever (5%). Events often associated with chemotherapy also have been reported: leukopenia (9%), decreased appetite (6%), anemia (4%), alopecia (3%), thrombocytopenia (2%). Over 5000 patients have received injectable Kytril in clinical trials. Table 5 gives the comparative frequencies of the five commonly reported adverse events (≥3%) in patients receiving Kytril injection, 40 mcg/kg, in single-day chemotherapy trials. These patients received chemotherapy, primarily cisplatin, and intravenous fluids during the 24-hour period following Kytril injection administration. Table 5 Principal Adverse Events in Clinical Trials - Single-Day Chemotherapy Percent of Patients With Event Kytril Injection 1 40 mcg/kg (n=1268) Comparator 2 (n=422) Headache 14% 6% Asthenia 5% 6% Somnolence 4% 15% Diarrhea 4% 6% Constipation 3% 3% 1 Adverse events were generally recorded over 7 days post-Kytril injection administration. 2 Metoclopramide/dexamethasone and phenothiazines/dexamethasone.

Drug interactions

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, Kytril injection has been safely administered with drugs representing benzodiazepines, neuroleptics, and anti-ulcer medications commonly prescribed with antiemetic treatments. Kytril 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 in vitro. In in vitro human microsomal studies, ketoconazole inhibited ring oxidation of granisetron. 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. The clinical significance of this change is not known. QT prolongation has been reported with granisetron. Use of GRANISOL oral solution in patients concurrently treated with drugs known to prolong the QT interval and/or are arrhythmogenic may result in clinical consequences.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy Category B Reproduction studies have been performed in pregnant rats at oral doses up to 125 mg/kg/day (750 mg/m 2 /day, 507 times the recommended human dose based on body surface area) and pregnant rabbits at oral doses up to 32 mg/kg/day (378 mg/m 2 /day, 255 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.

Pediatric use

Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

Geriatric use

Geriatric Use During clinical trials, 325 patients 65 years of age or older received Kytril tablets; 298 were 65 to 74 years of age, and 27 were 75 years of age or older. Efficacy and safety were maintained with increasing age.

Overdosage

There is no specific treatment for granisetron hydrochloride 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.

Description

DESCRIPTION GRANISOL™ oral solution contains granisetron hydrochloride, an antinauseant and antiemetic agent. 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 empirical formula is C 18 H 24 N4O
• HCl, while its chemical structure is: Granisetron hydrochloride is a white to off-white solid that is readily soluble in water and normal saline at 20°C. Oral Solution Each 10 mL of clear, orange-colored, orange-flavored GRANISOL™ oral solution contains 2.24 mg of granisetron hydrochloride equivalent to 2 mg granisetron. Inactive ingredients: citric acid anhydrous, FD&C Yellow No. 6, orange flavor, purified water, sodium benzoate, and sorbitol. structure

How supplied

Oral Solution Clear, orange-colored, orange-flavored, 2 mg/10 mL, in 30 mL amber glass bottles with child-resistant closures: NDC 80056-801-30 Storage Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Keep bottle closed tightly and stored in an upright position. Protect from light. Distributed by Intra-Sana Laboratories LLC Las Vegas, NV 89113

Label text from the FDA structured product label by Intra-Sana Laboratories (revised Mar 21, 2025). Long sections are shortened; the complete label is on DailyMed.

Active ingredients

Granisetron Hydrochloride in 1 product

Granisol NDC products (1)

NDC	Strength & form	Labeler	Type
80056-801	Granisetron Hydrochloride 2 mg/10mL Solution	Intra-Sana Laboratories	ANDA

Frequently asked questions

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Who makes Granisol?

Granisol is listed by 1 labeler in the FDA NDC directory, including Intra-Sana Laboratories.