Key takeaways
Ondansetron (Zofran) and granisetron (Sancuso) are both antiemetic medications used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. Ondansetron is available in multiple forms, including tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, liquid, and injections, while granisetron is available as a transdermal patch. Granisetron is also availible as a tablet and injection. Ondansetron needs to be taken multiple times a day, whereas the Sancuso patch is applied once and can last up to 7 days. Ondansetron is available as a lower-cost generic, but Sancuso can be very expensive. Ondansetron can be used for both adults and children and is sometimes used off-label during pregnancy, while the safety of Sancuso during pregnancy is not well known. Both medications can cause serotonin syndrome, but Sancuso also requires you to avoid direct sunlight and heat sources while wearing the patch.
