Sancuso
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.
What is Sancuso (granisetron)?
What is Sancuso (granisetron) used for?
- Prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by cancer medications (chemotherapy)
How Sancuso (granisetron) works
Sancuso (granisetron) is an antiemetic. It works by blocking serotonin from sending signals to the area of the brain that causes nausea and vomiting. This helps prevent nausea and vomiting.
Drug facts
Side effects of Sancuso (granisetron)
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
- Constipation (5%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Headache
- Skin reaction at the application site (e.g., itchiness, redness, irritation)
The following Sancuso (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
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
difficulty with swallowing
dizziness
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
fainting
fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
headache
hives or welts, itching, or skin rash
muscle spasms or twitching
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
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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Pros and cons of Sancuso (granisetron)
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
Pharmacist tips for Sancuso (granisetron)
- Put the Sancuso (granisetron) patch on at least 24 hours before chemotherapy, but no more than 48 hours before. Then, leave it on for at least 24 hours after you finish your chemotherapy session. You can wear each patch for up to a total of 7 days.
- The Sancuso (granisetron) patches come with instructions on how to apply and dispose them. Follow the directions carefully to make sure you're using the medication properly. Ask your oncology care team or pharmacist if you have questions.
- Don’t cut the Sancuso (granisetron) patch into smaller pieces. Cutting the patch will damage it and cause the medication to get released and absorbed through your skin too fast. It could also make too much medication get released at once. This might lead to increased side effects or even serious harm.
- How to apply Sancuso (granisetron): Wash your hands before and after applying the patch. Peel off the stiff plastic film from one side of the patch and place the sticky half to your upper outer arm. Then, take off the plastic film from the other side and press the rest of the patch against your skin. Try not to touch the sticky side of the patch because the medication can get on your fingers and the patch might not stick as well.
- Avoid saunas, vigorous exercise, or any activity that might make the Sancuso (granisetron) patch too hot. Heat can cause too much medication to get absorbed through your skin.
- Keep the skin where you applied the Sancuso (granisetron) patch covered and protected from sunlight. The light can make the medication work less well and cause skin irritation. Keep protecting the area for about 10 days after taking the patch off.
- How to remove and throw away Sancuso (granisetron): Peel the patch off gently and fold it in half with the sticky sides together. Throw away the folded patch in a trash can where children and pets can’t get to it. Make sure you wash your hands with soap and water after you’ve thrown away the patch.
- After you remove the Sancuso (granisetron), you can wash your skin with soap and water to get any sticky residue off. But don’t use alcohol or nail polish remover because they might irritate your skin.
- You might have to take more than one medication at the same time to prevent nausea and vomiting from cancer treatment. Make sure you take your antinausea medications correctly. Ask your oncology care team or pharmacist if you have questions about your regimen.
Common questions about Sancuso
Sancuso can help prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy for up to 7 days. Don't keep the patch on for longer than 7 days because it might run out of medication. If you still feel nauseous, you can try other options to help like eating smaller meals or sucking on hard candies. Ask your oncology care team for more ways to manage nausea and vomiting between your chemotherapy sessions.
Yes, Sancuso can get wet. You can shower and wash your body normally when you have the patch on. But, you should avoid long, hot showers and baths because it can expose the patch to a lot of heat. Heat can make more medication get absorbed through your skin. We don’t know how swimming or heavy sweating will affect the patch, so it’s best to avoid these situations while wearing it.
No. Sancuso is only available with a prescription from your oncologist or healthcare professional. Ask your oncologist about ways to control nausea and vomiting that don’t need a prescription. Some options include avoiding strong smelling foods or using aromatherapy.
Sancuso and ondansetron (Zofran) both prevent nausea and vomiting from cancer medications (chemotherapy). They work in similar ways, but they come in different forms and are taken differently. Sancuso is a patch that you put on the skin 1 to 2 days before chemotherapy. Then, it stays on the skin for up to 7 days. Ondansetron comes as tablets or a liquid that you swallow. It also comes as disintegrating tablets that dissolve on the tongue. Usually, people take ondansetron once before the chemotherapy session starts. Then, they take it a few times a day for up to 2 days after the session ends. In addition, ondansetron is an option for children. But Sancuso is only for adults. Review the similarities and differences between the medications. Ask your oncologist about which option is best for you.
It's unknown if Sancuso can harm an unborn baby if it’s used during pregnancy. Some home remedies that you can try include eating small snacks throughout the day or practicing breathing exercises to relax. But if you want to take medication, talk to your oncology care team about safer alternatives to help with nausea or vomiting from chemotherapy. Talk to your oncologist or obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) if you're pregnant or have plans on becoming pregnant while using Sancuso or getting chemotherapy.
Apply Sancuso only to the skin on your upper outer arm. Place the patch on clean, dry, and nearly hairless skin. If you have a lot of hair on your arms, cut the hair as close to the skin as possible. Don't shave it because this can irritate the skin. Also avoid putting the patch on damaged, red, or irritated skin because the patch can irritate the skin even more. Don't apply the patch onto any areas that have lotion, creams, or other skin products on them because the patch won’t stick as well to your skin.
If you notice that the Sancuso patch is coming off, put surgical or medical tape to just the edges to keep it down. Try not to cover the whole patch or wrap your whole arm. This might change how quickly the medication gets absorbed through your skin. If more than half of the patch comes off, contact your healthcare professional.
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Risks and warnings for Sancuso (granisetron)
Sancuso (granisetron) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Digestion problems
- Risk factors: Recent surgery in your stomach area | Taking medications that can slow the gut, like opioids
People have had severe constipation while using Sancuso (granisetron). It can also hide symptoms of intestinal blockage or bloating. Intestinal blockages need to be treated right away to avoid damage and infection.
Pay attention to how often you're having bowel movements. Contact your prescriber if you have severe constipation, problems passing gas, or pain in your stomach area. These symptoms can be from an intestinal blockage, which can lead to serious problems.
Serotonin syndrome
- Risk factors: Taking other drugs that can affect the serotonin levels in your brain
Serotonin syndrome is a rare, but potentially life-threatening, condition where there's too much serotonin in the brain. It’s more likely to happen if you use Sancuso (granisetron) with other medications that affect serotonin levels. Examples include antidepressants, lithium, triptans, and St. John's wort.
Some symptoms of too much serotonin include fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, and confusion. Tell a healthcare professional right away if you have any of these symptoms.
Skin reactions
Skin reactions or irritation can happen under or around the Sancuso (granisetron) patch. Your skin might also be red after taking off the patch, but it should go away within 3 days. During studies, most skin reactions were mild and people could continue using the medication.
If you have a severe skin reaction or have a rash that’s red, raised, and itchy, remove the patch right away and call a healthcare professional. You might be having an allergic skin reaction.
Possible side effects with heat and sun exposure to the patch
- Risk factors: Exposure to heat | Direct sunlight
Exposing the Sancuso (granisetron) patch to heat and direct sunlight can cause more medication to get absorbed into the body. Direct sunlight on the application site can also cause skin reactions, even after you’ve removed the patch.
Avoid heat pads and heat sources around the Sancuso (granisetron) patch area. Wear clothes that cover your upper arms to protect the patch and skin from direct sunlight.
Sancuso (granisetron) dosage
Patch| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1mg | 1 patch | $660.02 | $660.02 |
Typical dosage for Sancuso (granisetron)
The recommended dose is 1 patch applied to the skin on the upper outer arm 1 to 2 days before chemotherapy. Each patch gives you 3.1 mg of granisetron per 24 hours. You can wear each patch for up to 7 days.
Interactions between Sancuso (granisetron) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Apomorphine
- Bepridil
- Cisapride
- Dronedarone
- Fluconazole
- Mesoridazine
- Pimozide
- Piperaquine
- Saquinavir
- Sparfloxacin
- Terfenadine
- Thioridazine
- Ziprasidone
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Alfentanil
- Alfuzosin
- Almotriptan
- Amineptine
- Amiodarone
- Amisulpride
- Amitriptyline
- Amitriptylinoxide
- Amoxapine
- Amphetamine
- Anagrelide
- Anileridine
- Aripiprazole
- Aripiprazole Lauroxil
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Asenapine
- Astemizole
- Azithromycin
- Benzhydrocodone
- Benzphetamine
- Brompheniramine
- Buprenorphine
- Buserelin
- Buspirone
- Butorphanol
- Carbamazepine
- Ceritinib
- Chloroquine
- Chlorpheniramine
- Chlorpromazine
- Ciprofloxacin
- Citalopram
- Clarithromycin
- Clofazimine
- Clomipramine
- Clozapine
- Cocaine
- Codeine
- Crizotinib
- Cyclobenzaprine
- Dabrafenib
- Dasatinib
- Degarelix
- Delamanid
- Desipramine
- Deslorelin
- Desvenlafaxine
- Deutetrabenazine
- Dextroamphetamine
- Dextromethorphan
- Dibenzepin
- Difenoxin
- Dihydrocodeine
- Diphenoxylate
- Disopyramide
- Dofetilide
- Dolasetron
- Domperidone
- Donepezil
- Doxepin
- Droperidol
- Duloxetine
- Efavirenz
- Eletriptan
- Encorafenib
- Entrectinib
- Erythromycin
- Escitalopram
- Ethylmorphine
- Fenfluramine
- Fentanyl
- Fingolimod
- Flecainide
- Fluoxetine
- Fluvoxamine
- Formoterol
- Foscarnet
- Fostemsavir
- Frovatriptan
- Furazolidone
- Gatifloxacin
- Gemifloxacin
- Glasdegib
- Gonadorelin
- Goserelin
- Halofantrine
- Haloperidol
- Histrelin
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Hydroxytryptophan
- Hydroxyzine
- Ibutilide
- Iloperidone
- Imipramine
- Inotuzumab Ozogamicin
- Iproniazid
- Isocarboxazid
- Ivabradine
- Ivosidenib
- Ketobemidone
- Ketoconazole
- Lapatinib
- Lasmiditan
- Lefamulin
- Lenvatinib
- Levofloxacin
- Levomilnacipran
- Levorphanol
- Linezolid
- Lisdexamfetamine
- Lithium
- Lofepramine
- Lofexidine
- Lopinavir
- Lorcaserin
- Lumefantrine
- Macimorelin
- Mefloquine
- Melitracen
- Meperidine
- Metaxalone
- Methadone
- Methamphetamine
- Methylene Blue
- Metronidazole
- Mifepristone
- Milnacipran
- Mirtazapine
- Moclobemide
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Moxifloxacin
- Nafarelin
- Nalbuphine
- Naratriptan
- Nefazodone
- Nialamide
- Nicomorphine
- Nilotinib
- Norfloxacin
- Nortriptyline
- Octreotide
- Ofloxacin
- Ondansetron
- Opipramol
- Opium
- Opium Alkaloids
- Osilodrostat
- Osimertinib
- Oxaliplatin
- Oxycodone
- Oxymorphone
- Ozanimod
- Paliperidone
- Palonosetron
- Panobinostat
- Papaveretum
- Paregoric
- Paroxetine
- Pasireotide
- Pazopanib
- Pentazocine
- Phenelzine
- Pimavanserin
- Piritramide
- Pitolisant
- Ponesimod
- Posaconazole
- Procainamide
- Procarbazine
- Prochlorperazine
- Promethazine
- Propafenone
- Protriptyline
- Quetiapine
- Quinidine
- Quinine
- Ranolazine
- Rasagiline
- Remifentanil
- Ribociclib
- Rizatriptan
- Safinamide
- Selegiline
- Selpercatinib
- Sertraline
- Sevoflurane
- Sibutramine
- Siponimod
- Sodium Phosphate
- Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
- Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
- Solifenacin
- Sorafenib
- Sotalol
- St John's Wort
- Sufentanil
- Sulpiride
- Sumatriptan
- Sunitinib
- Tacrolimus
- Tapentadol
- Telavancin
- Telithromycin
- Tetrabenazine
- Tianeptine
- Tilidine
- Toremifene
- Tramadol
- Tranylcypromine
- Trazodone
- Triclabendazole
- Trifluoperazine
- Trimipramine
- Triptorelin
- Tryptophan
- Vandetanib
- Vardenafil
- Vemurafenib
- Venlafaxine
- Vilazodone
- Vinflunine
- Voclosporin
- Voriconazole
- Vortioxetine
- Zolmitriptan
- Zuclopenthixol
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
How much does Sancuso (granisetron) cost?
$660.02
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