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Compare Scopolamine vs. Sancuso

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) and Sancuso (granisetron) are both prescription medications used to prevent nausea and vomiting, but they have different uses and ways of working. Scopolamine is an anticholinergic that blocks acetylcholine to prevent nausea from motion sickness and surgery, while Sancuso is an antiemetic that blocks serotonin to prevent nausea from chemotherapy. Scopolamine comes as a patch you place behind your ear and lasts up to 3 days, whereas Sancuso is a patch for your upper arm that lasts up to 7 days. Scopolamine can cause side effects like dry mouth, dizziness, and sleepiness, while Sancuso might cause constipation and skin reactions. Scopolamine is available as a lower-cost generic, but Sancuso can be very expensive. Both patches need to be applied ahead of time, but Sancuso requires more caution with heat and sunlight exposure.

  • Scopolamine (Transderm Scop)
    Sancuso (granisetron)
  • Scopolamine (Transderm Scop)
    Sancuso (granisetron)

  • Summary of Scopolamine vs. Sancuso

    Summary for Anticholinergic
    Prescription only

    Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) is a prescription anticholinergic medication. It's used to prevent nausea and vomiting from motion sickness, as well as from anesthesia or pain medications used in surgery. Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) comes as a patch that you place behind your ear. You need to apply it at least 4 hours before any activities that might cause motion sickness, or the night before your surgery. Common side effects scopolamine (Transderm Scop) include dry mouth, sleepiness, and dizziness.

    Summary for Antiemetic
    Prescription only

    Sancuso, the brand name for the granisetron patch, is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. This antiemetic medication is approved for adults only. You typically apply a patch to the skin on the upper outer arm 1 to 2 days before chemotherapy. The patch slowly releases your dose over several days. The most common side effect of Sancuso (granisetron) is constipation.

  • Indications of Scopolamine vs. Sancuso

    Indications for
    •Prevention of nausea and vomiting due to:
    •Motion sickness
    •Anesthesia or pain medications used in surgery
    Indications for
    •Prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by cancer medications (chemotherapy)

  • Pros and Cons of Scopolamine vs. Sancuso

    Pros and Const for Anticholinergic
    Pros
    •Works well for preventing nausea and vomiting
    •Effects lasts for up to 3 days
    •Applied to skin, so a good choice for people who've trouble taking pills
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Not for use in children younger than 18 years old
    •Takes about 4 hours to start working, so need to remember to take it ahead of time
    •Doesn't treat nausea and vomiting that's already happening
    •Can cause drowsiness, blurry vision, and confusion
    Pros and Const for Antiemetic
    Pros
    •Good option for people who don't like to take pills
    •Each patch prevents nausea and vomiting around the clock for up to 7 days
    •A convenient option for those on multi-day chemotherapy regimens
    •Usually well-tolerated with few side effects
    Cons
    •Only approved for adults
    •Can only wear each patch for up to 7 days, even if you still have nausea
    •Need to apply to nearly hairless skin
    •Must place on the upper outer arm, so it might be visible to others

  • Common Side Effects of Scopolamine vs. Sancuso

    Common Side Effects for
    •Dry mouth (29%)
    •Dizziness (12%)
    •Sleepiness (8%)
    •Agitation (6%)
    •Changes in vision (5%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Constipation (5%)

  • Warnings of Scopolamine vs. Sancuso

    Common Side Effects for
    •Angle-closure glaucoma
    •Brain and mental health problems
    •Risk of seizures in pregnant people with preeclampsia
    •Blockage in the stomach, intestines, or bladder
    •Withdrawal
    •Blurry vision
    •Skin burn from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Digestion problems
    •Serotonin syndrome
    •Skin reactions
    •Possible side effects with heat and sun exposure to the patch

  • Prices with our coupons for Scopolamine vs. Sancuso

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    Learn more about Sancuso

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