Sancuso

Generic Name: granisetron (Transdermal route)

gra-NIS-e-tron

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Sancuso

Available Dosage Forms:

• Patch, Extended Release

Therapeutic Class: Antiemetic

Pharmacologic Class: Serotonin Receptor Antagonist, 5-HT3

Uses For Sancuso

Granisetron transdermal is used to prevent nausea and vomiting that may occur after treatment with cancer medicines (chemotherapy). Granisetron works in the stomach to block the signals to the brain that cause nausea and vomiting.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using Sancuso

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of granisetron transdermal in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Although appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of granisetron transdermal have not been performed in the geriatric population, no geriatric-specific problems have been documented to date. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related heart, liver, or kidney problems, which may require caution in patients receiving granisetron transdermal.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	B	Animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus, however, there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Apomorphine


• Cisapride


• Dronedarone


• Fluconazole


• Mesoridazine


• Pimozide


• Sparfloxacin


• Thioridazine

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Alfuzosin


• Amiodarone


• Amoxapine


• Arsenic Trioxide


• Asenapine


• Astemizole


• Azithromycin


• Chloroquine


• Chlorpromazine


• Ciprofloxacin


• Citalopram


• Clarithromycin


• Clomipramine


• Clozapine


• Crizotinib


• Dasatinib


• Desipramine


• Disopyramide


• Dofetilide


• Dolasetron


• Droperidol


• Erythromycin


• Flecainide


• Gatifloxacin


• Gemifloxacin


• Halofantrine


• Haloperidol


• Ibutilide


• Iloperidone


• Imipramine


• Lapatinib


• Levofloxacin


• Lopinavir


• Lumefantrine


• Mefloquine


• Methadone


• Moxifloxacin


• Nilotinib


• Norfloxacin


• Nortriptyline


• Octreotide


• Ofloxacin


• Ondansetron


• Paliperidone


• Pazopanib


• Perflutren Lipid Microsphere


• Posaconazole


• Procainamide


• Prochlorperazine


• Promethazine


• Propafenone


• Protriptyline


• Quetiapine


• Quinidine


• Quinine


• Ranolazine


• Salmeterol


• Saquinavir


• Sodium Phosphate


• Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic


• Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic


• Solifenacin


• Sorafenib


• Sotalol


• Sunitinib


• Telavancin


• Telithromycin


• Terfenadine


• Tetrabenazine


• Toremifene


• Trazodone


• Trifluoperazine


• Trimipramine


• Vandetanib


• Vardenafil


• Vemurafenib


• Voriconazole


• Ziprasidone

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Phenobarbital

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Bowel obstruction or


• Gastric distention (enlarged abdomen)—May cover up symptoms of these stomach or intestinal problems.

Proper Use of Sancuso

Your doctor will tell you how many patches to use, where to apply them, and how often to apply them. Do not use more patches or apply them more often than your doctor tells you to.

To use the skin patch:

• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after applying a patch. Do not touch your eyes until after you have washed your hands.


• Wash the area of skin where you will apply the patch gently with soap and warm water. Rinse completely and dry with a clean dry towel.


• Apply the patch right away after removing it from the protective pouch. Do not cut it into smaller pieces and do not touch the sticky surface of the patch.


• Apply the patch to a clean, dry, intact skin area on your upper outer arm. Do not put the patch over rashes, cuts, or irritated skin. Avoid putting the patch on areas where it could be rubbed off by tight clothing.


• Press the patch firmly in place with your fingertips to make sure that the edges of the patch stick well.


• Leave the patch in place for at least 24 hours after completion of chemotherapy. The patch can be worn for up to 7 days depending on how long you are receiving chemotherapy.


• Do not expose the patch to direct sunlight or sunlamps. This could destroy the medicine in the patch. If you will be exposed to direct sunlight or sunlamps, cover your skin with clothing where you have the patch. Keep the clothing on this area while you are wearing it and for 10 days after you remove it.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For transdermal dosage form (patch):
  
  • For nausea and vomiting:
    
    • Adults—One patch containing 34.3 milligrams (mg) at least 24 to 48 hours before chemotherapy.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    
    
  
  

Storage

Store the patches at room temperature in a closed container, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

After removing a used patch, fold the patch in half with the sticky sides together. Make sure to dispose of it out of the reach of children and pets.

Precautions While Using Sancuso

Check with your doctor if severe nausea and vomiting continue after leaving the hospital or cancer treatment center.

Serious skin reactions may occur while using the patch. Remove the patch and check with your doctor right away if you have a skin rash, itching, redness, or any skin irritation while you are wearing the patch.

Check with your doctor right away if you start to have pain or swelling in your stomach area. These may be signs of a serious stomach or intestinal problem.

Sancuso Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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 immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

Rare

• Arm, back, or jaw pain


• blurred vision


• chest pain or discomfort


• chest tightness or heaviness


• confusion


• cough


• difficulty with swallowing


• dizziness


• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly


• fainting


• fast or irregular heartbeat


• headache


• hives or welts


• itching


• nausea


• nervousness


• pounding in the ears


• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue


• redness of the skin


• shortness of breath


• skin rash


• slow heartbeat


• sweating


• unusual tiredness or weakness


• wheezing

Incidence not known

• Black, tarry stools


• bleeding gums


• blood in the urine or stools


• chills


• diarrhea


• fear


• fever


• painful or difficult urination


• pale skin


• pinpoint red spots on the skin


• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness


• sore throat


• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth


• stomach pain


• swollen glands


• troubled breathing with exertion


• unusual bleeding or bruising


• vomiting

Some side effects 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:

Incidence not known

• Decreased appetite


• hair loss or thinning of the hair


• lack or loss of strength


• sleeplessness


• trouble sleeping


• unable to sleep

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Sancuso side effects (in more detail)

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More Sancuso resources

• Sancuso Side Effects (in more detail)
• Sancuso Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Sancuso Drug Interactions
• Sancuso Support Group
• 3 Reviews for Sancuso - Add your own review/rating

• Sancuso Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Sancuso Consumer Overview


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