Sustol Side Effects
Generic name: granisetron
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 5, 2025.
Note: This document provides detailed information about Sustol Side Effects associated with granisetron. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Sustol.
Applies to granisetron: intravenous solution.
Other dosage forms:
Precautions
Check with your doctor if severe nausea and vomiting continue after leaving the hospital or cancer treatment center.
This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have a rash; itching; dizziness or lightheadedness; trouble breathing; trouble swallowing; or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after receiving this medicine.
Check with your doctor right away if you or your child start to have pain or swelling in your stomach area. These may be signs of a serious stomach or bowel problem.
This medicine can cause changes in heart rhythms, such as a condition called QT prolongation. It may change the way your heart beats and cause fainting or serious side effects in some patients. Contact your doctor right away if you or your child have any symptoms of heart rhythm problems, such as fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats.
This medicine contains benzyl alcohol which may cause serious reactions to newborn, premature, or low-birthweight infants. Check with your doctor if you are concerned.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Common side effects of Sustol
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 Sustol
Along with its needed effects, granisetron (the active ingredient contained in Sustol) 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]
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References
1. (2001) "Product Information. Kytril (granisetron)." SmithKline Beecham
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
4. (2014) "Product Information. Sancuso (granisetron)." ProStrakan Group
Frequently asked questions
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Further information
Sustol 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.