GRANTRYL Film-coated tablet Ref.[51214] Active ingredients: Granisetron

Lower bowel motility

As GRANTRYL may reduce lower bowel motility, patients with signs of sub-acute intestinal obstruction should be monitored following administration of GRANTRYL.

GRANTRYL does not stimulate gastric or intestinal peristalsis. It should not be used instead of nasogastric suction. The use of GRANTRYL in patients following abdominal surgery or in patients with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting may mask a progressive ileus and/or gastric distension.

QT interval prolongation

ECG changes including QT interval prolongation has been reported with granisetron, as in GRANTRYL. Therefore, GRANTRYL should be used with caution in patients with preexisting dysrhythmias or cardiac conduction disorders, or patients who have, or may develop prolongation of the QT interval, as these may lead to clinical consequences.

Patients with cardiac diseases (such as congestive heart failure or brady-dysrhythmias), patients on cardiotoxic chemotherapy, with concomitant electrolyte abnormalities and/or on concomitant medicines that prolong the QT interval, are particularly at risk and caution should be exercised (see section 4.5).

Hypokalaemia and hypomagnesaemia should be corrected prior to GRANTRYL administration.

Cross-sensitivity

Cross-sensitivity between 5-HT3 antagonists (e.g., dolasteron, ondansetron) has been reported (see section 4.3 and 4.5).

Serotonin syndrome

There have been reports of serotonin syndrome with the use of 5-HT3 antagonists either alone, but mostly in combination with other serotonergic medicines (including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (see section 4.5).

Concomitant administration of GRANTRYL and buprenorphine/opioids may result in serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition. If concomitant treatment with other serotonergic medicines is clinically warranted, careful observation of the patient is advised, particularly during treatment initiation and dose increases.

Symptoms of serotonin syndrome may include mental-status changes, autonomic instability, neuromuscular abnormalities, and/or gastrointestinal symptoms. If serotonin syndrome is suspected, a dose reduction or discontinuation of therapy should be considered depending on the severity of the symptoms.

Paediatric population

GRANTRYL is contraindicated in children under the age of 2 years (see section 4.3).

There is insufficient clinical evidence to recommend administration of GRANTRYL to children.

Excipients

GRANTRYL contains lactose which may have an effect on the glycaemic control of patients with diabetes mellitus. Patients with the rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, galactosaemia, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption or fructose intolerance should not take GRANTRYL.

Cases of myocardial ischemia have been reported in patients treated with granisetron. In some patients, especially in the case of intravenous administration, symptoms appeared immediately after administration of granisetron. Patients should be alerted to the signs and symptoms of myocardial ischaemia.

Other 5-HT3 antagonists

Cross-sensitivity between 5-HT3 antagonists (e.g., dolasteron, ondansetron) has been reported (see section 4.3).

Phenobarbitone

The metabolism of granisetron, as in GRANTRYL, is induced by the cytochrome P450 inducer phenobarbitone which may cause a 25% increase in total plasma clearance of GRANTRYL.

Ketoconazole

In in vitro human microsomal studies, ketoconazole inhibited ring oxidation of granisetron, as in GRANTRYL. However, given the absence of pK/pD relationship with granisetron, these changes are believed to have no clinical consequences.

Medicines known to prolong QT interval

Cases of ECG modifications including QT prolongation have been reported with granisetron, as in GRANTRYL. In patients concurrently treated with medicines known to prolong QT interval and/or which are dysrhythmogenic, this may lead to clinical consequences (see section 4.4).

Serotonergic medicines (e.g., SSRIs and SNRIs)

There have been reports of serotonin syndrome following concomitant use of 5-HT3 antagonists and other serotonergic medicines (including SSRIs and SNRIs). GRANTRYL should be used cautiously when co-administered with buprenorphine/opioids as the risk of serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition, is increased (see section 4.4).

Tramadol

GRANTRYL may increase the levels of tramadol.

General

GRANTRYL may be co-administered with benzodiazepines (lorazepam), neuroleptics (haloperidol) and anti-ulcer medicines (cimetidine) commonly prescribed with anti-emetic treatments. Additionally, granisetron, as in GRANTRYL, has shown no apparent interaction with emetogenic cancer chemotherapies. No specific interaction studies have been conducted in anaesthetised patients, but GRANTRYL has been safely administered with commonly used anaesthetic and analgesic medicines.

In addition, in-vitro human microsomal studies have shown that the cytochrome P450 subfamily 3A4 (involved in the metabolism of some of the main narcotic analgesic medicine) is not modified by GRANTRYL.

The use of GRANTRYL during pregnancy and lactation is not recommended as safety and efficacy have not been established (see section 4.3).

Pregnancy

There is limited amount of data from the use of GRANTRYL in pregnant women. Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity. As a precautionary measure, avoid the use of GRANTRYL during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

It is unknown whether granisetron or its metabolites are excreted in human milk. As a precautionary measure, breastfeeding should not be advised during use with GRANTRYL.

Fertility

In rats, granisetron, as in GRANTRYL, had no harmful effects on reproductive performance or fertility.

GRANTRYL has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Since adverse reactions such as headache, dizziness, drowsiness and blurred vision have been reported in patients receiving GRANTRYL, patients should not drive, use machinery or perform any tasks that require concentration, until they are certain that GRANTRYL does not adversely affect their ability to do so (see section 4.8).

a) Summary of the safety profile

The most frequently reported adverse reactions for GRANTRYL are headache and constipation, which may be transient. ECG changes including QT prolongation have been reported with granisetron, as in GRANTRYL (see section 4.4 and 4.5).

b) Tabulated list of adverse reactions

c) Description of selected adverse reactions

Cases of serotonin syndrome (including altered mental status, autonomic dysfunction and neuromuscular abnormalities) have been reported following the concomitant use of granisetron, as in GRANTRYL, and other serotonergic medicines (see section 4.4 and 4.5).

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicine is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicine. Healthcare providers are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions to:

SAHPRA: https://www.sahpra.org.za/health-products-vigilance/

Acino Pharma (Pty) Ltd: E-mail: drugsafety_ZA@acino.swiss Tel: 060 998 7896

Not applicable.