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Kytril
Kytril is commonly prescribed for preventing nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy or radiation. It comes in tablet form and is generally taken an hour before radiation or chemotherapy. An injectable form is also available to prevent nausea and vomiting due to surgery or chemotherapy. While most people tolerate Kytril well, side effects can include constipation, diarrhea, and headache.
Kytril® (granisetron hydrochloride) is a prescription medication used to prevent nausea and vomiting due to the following causes:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation.
The medication comes in tablet form. An injectable form is also available for the prevention of nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy or surgery.
(Click Kytril Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
Kytril is made by Roche Pharmaceuticals.
Nausea and vomiting are complex processes involving many chemicals in the body and several parts of the body, including the brain and the small intestine. It is likely that Kytril works in the small intestine, but it may also work in the brain.
Kytril works by blocking serotonin, a chemical produced by the body that is associated with nausea and vomiting. Serotonin has many effects in the body and has several receptors where it can bind. This medication blocks serotonin at a specific type of receptor (the 5-HT3 receptor), which is important for nausea and vomiting. It has no effects on other types of serotonin receptors in the body.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD