Kytril (Granisetron) Canada
Description
Kytril is a trading name of the active ingredient Granisetron. This ingredient is used to reduce nausea and vomiting caused by:
- Cytotoxic chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Postoperative period during anesthesia recovery
A mechanism of the pharmacological action of Kytril consists in the selective blocking of the serotonin 5-HT3-receptors that are located in the endings of the nervus vagus. The medical studies have shown that a release of serotonin by the enterochromaffin cells leads to the agitation of the parasympathetic nervous system. Due to this, a stimulation of the emetic function of the gastro-intestinal tract happens, and a human has nausea and vomiting. Kytril blocks the release of serotonin and reduces a feeling of nausea.
Recommendations
The main advantage of Kytril is that it does not influence on other types of the receptors of serotonin and dopamine. It does not increase and does not decrease the level of the general serotonin, and therefore it does not affect the functions of the brain and central nervous system.
A pharmacological action of Kytril begins after the first application. This product has a reversible effect, and the function of the serotonin 5-HT3-receptors is restored after the therapy with Kytril.
Precautions
- The pills of Kytril are not recommended patients under 12 years old. If needed, children at the age of 2 to 12 are allowed injections of the drug but under doctor’s supervision only
- There is no data about the penetration of Kytril into the breast milk, but if you are prescribed Kytril during the breast-feeding, it is recommended to use nutritional supplements for a baby
- Hormonal corticosteroids increase a therapeutic action of Kytril, and therefore the dose should be reduced during their simultaneous use
- Kytril may be contraindicated for patients with some diseases: partial intestinal obstruction, lactose intolerance.
- Patients with the signs of the partial intestinal obstruction after the use of Kytril should be controlled by a doctor because Kytril may lower the intestinal motility
- If you took selective inhibitors of serotonin 5-HT3-receptors before and had an allergy, inform your doctor about it. You will probably have the same reaction to Kytril because of the intolerance of this group of drugs
- There is no data about a safe use of Kytril by women during pregnancy. A negative influence of the drug has not been detected during the medical studies, but in spite of this, Kytril is not recommended during pregnancy
Drug Interactions
Kytril is produced in the pills for the oral use. A dose and scheme of the use Kytril depends on the purposes of the treatment and an intensity of the nausea and/or vomiting.
- To reduce nausea/vomiting during the use of cytostatic agents, patients are prescribed Kytril 1 mg 2 times per day. A pill is prescribed 30 minutes before the use of the cytostatic agent, and the second pill is used in 10-12 hours
- To reduce nausea/vomiting in the post-operation period, Kytril is used before having anesthesia in the dose of 1 mg
Kytril is not used in the dose of more than 2 mg per day regardless of the symptoms of the parasympathetic nervous system disorder. The treatment is continued till the complete disappearance of the symptoms of the nausea or vomiting. In case of the low efficiency of Kytril, patients are prescribed injections of Kytril. The injected solution of the Kytril begins quickly acting and provides more intensive pharmacological action.
Side Effects
In most cases, the side effects of Kytril are light and do not require to terminate the therapy. The side effects related to the use of Kytril are fatigue, anxiety, headache, abdominal pain, flatulence, decreased or increased blood pressure.
If severe edema, urticaria or other signs of the allergic reaction appeared, go to a doctor as soon as possible.