Sancuso Side Effects

Generic name: granisetron

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 13, 2025.

Note: This document contains side effect information about granisetron. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Sancuso.

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]

See also:

Further information

Sancuso 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.

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