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Granisetron

Granisetron Side Effects

Hope Chang, PharmD, AAHIVPMichelle Nguyen, PharmD
Reviewed by Hope Chang, PharmD, AAHIVP, Michelle Nguyen, PharmD
Last reviewed on August 17, 2021

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Headache (20%)
  • Weakness or lack of energy (18%)
  • Constipation (14%)
  • Diarrhea (9%)
  • Upset stomach and stomach pain (4—6%)

Less Common Side Effects

  • Dizziness
  • Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
  • Anxiety

Granisetron serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Serotonin syndrome: Confusion, fever, fast heart rate, sweating, muscle stiffness or spasms

Source: DailyMed

The following Granisetron side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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 immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Severe constipation

Incidence not known

Anxiety

arm, back, or jaw pain

black, tarry stools

bleeding gums

blood in the urine or stools

blurred vision

chest pain or discomfort

chest tightness or heaviness

chills

confusion

cough

diarrhea

difficulty with swallowing

dizziness

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

fainting

fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat

fever

headache

hives or welts, itching, or skin rash

muscle spasms or twitching

nausea

nervousness

painful or difficult urination

pain, itching, redness, irritation, blistering, burning, discoloration, or rash where the patch is applied

pale skin

pinpoint red spots on the skin

pounding in the ears

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

redness of the skin

restlessness

seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there

sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth

stomach pain or swelling

sweating

swollen glands

trouble breathing

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

vomiting

Some side effects 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:

Incidence not known

Decreased appetite

hair loss or thinning of the hair

lack or loss of strength

trouble sleeping

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Why trust our experts?

Hope Chang is a freelance writer and content reviewer for GoodRx. She attended Howard University College of Pharmacy in Washington, D.C. and completed post-graduate residency training at the University of California, Davis Medical Center.
Michelle Nguyen, PharmD, has been a clinical pharmacist for 6 years (and counting). She has a diverse skill set within managed care pharmacy, specifically in the settings of a medical group, pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), and health plan.

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