Granisetron Dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Nausea/Vomiting - Chemotherapy Induced

IV: 10 mcg/kg over 5 minutes, beginning 30 minutes before initiation of chemotherapy.

Orally: 2 mg, given up to 1 hour before chemotherapy, or 1 mg twice a day (the first dose is given up to 1 hour before chemotherapy, and the second dose is given 12 hours later).

Granisetron transdermal system: Apply a single patch to the upper outer arm a minimum of 24 hours before chemotherapy. The patch may be applied up to a maximum of 48 hours before chemotherapy as appropriate. Remove the patch a minimum of 24 hours after completion of chemotherapy. The patch can be worn for up to 7 days depending on the duration of the chemotherapy regimen. Granisetron transdermal system is a 52 cm2 patch containing 34.3 mg of granisetron. The patch releases 3.1 mg of granisetron per 24 hours for up to 7 days.

The transdermal system (patch) should be applied to clean, dry, intact healthy skin on the upper outer arm. Granisetron transdermal system should not be placed on skin that is red, irritated or damaged. Each patch is packed in a pouch and should be applied directly after the pouch has been opened. The patch should not be cut into pieces.

Usual Adult Dose for Nausea/Vomiting-Radiation Induced

2 mg orally given within 1 hour of radiotherapy.

Usual Adult Dose for Nausea/Vomiting - Postoperative

Prevention and Treatment
IV: 1 mg undiluted over 30 seconds, given before induction of anesthesia, or immediately before reversal of anesthesia; or give after surgery.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Nausea/Vomiting - Chemotherapy Induced

Greater than or equal to 2 to 16 years: 10 mcg/kg IV 30 minutes before start of chemotherapy.

Study (n=80)
Randomized double-blind clinical studies have used granisetron injection in the range of 10 to 40 mcg/kg.

Renal Dose Adjustments

No adjustments recommended

Liver Dose Adjustments

No adjustments recommended

Dose Adjustments

Dosages larger than 40 mcg/kg have not been proven to be significantly superior in the control of nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy.

Precautions

Safety and effectiveness of granisetron oral formulations have not been established in pediatric patients (less than 18 years of age). Safety and effectiveness of granisetron IV have not been established in pediatric patients less than 2 years of age due to lack of efficacy and QT prolongation observed in trials.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Granisetron should only be given on days that chemotherapy is given. The injectable form can be given undiluted over 30 seconds, or diluted with normal saline or dextrose 5% and infused over 5 minutes (or further diluted to 20 to 50 mL and given over 30 to 60 minutes).

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