Kytril

Kytril is a drug which is used as an intravenous injection to prevent nausea and vomiting which occurs after chemotherapy which is a treatment of cancer. It can also be used to prevent nausea and vomiting that happens after surgery.

Kytril is a 5HT3 receptor antagonist. Granisetron works inside the central nervous system and blocks the action of a chemical that triggers vomiting

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription. This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Solution

Your doctor will inform you of what you need to know before using Kytril. So, the benefits of a drug should always be weighed against its associated risks. Your doctor will consider these risks before prescribing the drug and will inform you about them.

Following factors should be considered before taking this drug:

Allergies: If you have had an allergic reaction to this drug in the past, inform your doctor. You should also tell your healthcare provider if you are allergic to any other drugs or food products.

Age-specific problems: The data regarding the effects of this medicine specific to the pediatric age group is not yet available. Its safety and efficacy have not been established in children.
The studies specific to the geriatric age group have not been carried out, that would limit the use of this drug in old age group.

Pregnancy: Regarding the safety of usage of this drug during pregnancy, it comes under “B” category, which means that clinical trials on animals have not revealed any harmful effects to the developing fetus or relevant studies have not been performed.

Drug Interactions: Certain drugs should not be used together because they can interact inside the body which can have a harmful effect. On the other hand, certain drugs are allowed to be used together.

So, you should tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking. If there is a chance of interaction between those two drugs, the doctor may change the dose or may prescribe an alternative drug.

The  injection should be used cautiously with following drugs:

• Amifampridine
• Apomorphine
• Bepridil
• Cisapride
• Fluconazole
• Dronedarone
• Pimozide
• Mesoridazine
• Piperaquine
• Sparfloxacin
• Saquinavir
• Terfenadine
• Ziprasidone
• Thioridazine
• Amineptine
• Alfuzosin
• Almotriptan
• Amitriptyline
• Amiodarone
• Amitriptylinoxide
• Anagrelide
• Amoxapine
• Arsenic Trioxide
• Aripiprazole
• Asenapine
• Azithromycin
• Astemizole
• Brompheniramine
• Carbamazepine
• Buserelin
• Buspirone
• Hydroxychloroquine
• Chloroquine
• Haloperidol
• Ibutilide
• Hydroxytryptophan
• Iloperidone
• Imipramine
• Isocarboxazid
• Iproniazid
• Ivabradine
• Lapatinib
• Ketoconazole
• Leuprolide
• Levomilnacipran
• Levofloxacin
• Linezolid
• Lopinavir
• Lithium
• Lofepramine
• Lumefantrine
• Lorcaserin
• Mefloquine
• Meperidine
• Melitracen
• Methadone
• Metronidazole
• Methylene Blue
• Mifepristone
• Mirtazapine
• Milnacipran
• Moclobemide
• Nafarelin
• Moxifloxacin
• Naratriptan
• Nefazodone
• Nialamide
• Nilotinib
• Norfloxacin
• Octreotide
• Nortriptyline
• Ofloxacin
• Opipramol
• Ondansetron
• Paliperidone
• Paroxetine
• Panobinostat
• Pasireotide
• Pentazocine
• Pazopanib
• Perflutren Lipid Microsphere
• Phenelzine
• Procarbazine
• Posaconazole
• Procainamide
• Prochlorperazine
• Promethazine
• Protriptyline
• Propafenone
• Quetiapine
• Quinine
• Quinidine
• Ranolazine
• Rizatriptan
• Rasagiline
• Salmeterol
• Sevoflurane
• Selegiline
• Sertraline
• Sibutramine
• Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
• Sodium Phosphate
• Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
• Sotalol
• Solifenacin
• Sorafenib
• St John's Wort
• Sunitinib
• Sumatriptan
• Tacrolimus
• Telavancin
• Tapentadol
• Telithromycin
• Toremifene
• Tetrabenazine
• Tianeptine
• Tramadol
• Tranylcypromine
• Trimipramine
• Trazodone
• Trifluoperazine
• Tryptophan
• Triptorelin
• Vandetanib
• Vemurafenib
• Vardenafil

Furthermore, certain medications should not be taken with alcohol or tobacco, which may also result in harmful interactions. Ask your doctor about the concurrent use of this drug along with alcohol or tobacco.

You should also inform your doctor about any other medical condition you may be suffering from, especially:

• Allergy to selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonists (such as alosetron [Lotronex®], dolasetron [Anzemet®], ondansetron [Zofran®], or palonosetron [Aloxi®])—Use with caution. It is likely you will also be allergic to granisetron.
• Bowel blockage
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Gastric distension (enlarged abdomen)
• Heart rhythm problems (e.g., arrhythmia, prolonged QT interval)
• Heart disease—May increase risk to have prolonged QT interval

Before using Kytril, there are some precautions you must take. If your nausea and vomiting do not go away even after injecting the medicine contact your doctor. Do not use other medication containing granisetron or similar drug because that will lead to toxicity. 

Kytril can lead to serious allergic reactions like anaphylaxis. It can also cause serious heart rhythm problems like prolong QT. If taken with certain drugs, granisetron can cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Tell your doctor about all the drugs that you are taking.

Regular follow-up is necessary during and after the treatment. It is important to allow your doctor to monitor your progress and to make sure that there aren’t any side effects from the medication.

Contact your doctor if your symptoms have not improved even after taking the full course of treatment. Avoid taking any other medicine unless thoroughly discussed with your doctor. Always ask your doctor before using any prescription, non-prescription or herbal medicine.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Kytril. Although these side effects may occur only in a handful of patients but if they do occur, contact your physician immediately.

This medication is associated with following side effects:

• arm, back, or jaw pain
• difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
• chest pain or discomfort
• blurred vision
• chest tightness or heaviness
• cough
• confusion
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• the difficulty with swallowing
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• fainting
• headache
• nervousness
• hives or welts, itching, or skin rash
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• pounding in the ears
• redness of the skin
• sweating
• trouble breathing
• slow heartbeat
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• bleeding gums
• black, tarry stools
• blood in the urine or stools
• diarrhea
• chills
• painful or difficult urination
• fever
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• pale skin
• sore throat
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• swollen glands
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• stomach pain

Seek medical help instantly, if you experience any of these symptoms while on lanthanum. Also contact your health care professional immediately, if have overdosed on this drug.

If any of these side effects becomes more bothersome or does not go away, contact your doctor.