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Transdermal Granisetron

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Abstract

  • ▴ Granisetron is a highly selective serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. The trans-dermal granisetron system delivers continuous granisetron (3.1 mg/day) into the systemic circulation (via passive diffusion) for up to 7 days.

  • ▴ In a large phase III trial in cancer patients receiving multi-day (3–5 days) moderately or highly emetogenic chemotherapy, transdermal granisetron applied 24–48 hours prior to chemotherapy and remaining in place for 7 days was noninferior to oral granisetron 2 mg once daily administered for 3–5 days 1 hour prior to chemotherapy. Efficacy was assessed according to the proportion of patients achieving complete response (no vomiting and/or retching, no more than mild nausea, no rescue medication) from the first day, until 24 hours after the start of the last day, of administration of the chemotherapy regimen.

  • ▴ In a phase II trial in patients with cancer receiving single-day, moderately-emetogenic chemotherapy, transdermal granisetron applied at least 24 hours prior to chemotherapy and removed after 5 days was as effective as a single oral dose of granisetron 2 mg in achieving total control (no nausea, no vomiting/retching, no use of rescue medication and no study withdrawal) during the delayed (24–120 hours; primary endpoint) period after chemotherapy.

  • ▴ Transdermal granisetron was generally well tolerated in clinical trials, with few adverse events being treatment related.

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Acknowledgements and Disclosures

The manuscript was reviewed by: A. Chan, Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore; P. De Negri, Department of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico della Basilicata-Cancer Center, Rionero in Vulture, Potenza, Italy; D.S. Ettinger, Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins City, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; J.R. Hardy, Department of Palliative Care, Mater Adult Hospital, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; S. Van Belle, Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.

The preparation of this review was not supported by any external funding. During the peer review process, the manufacturer of the agent under review was offered an opportunity to comment on this article. Changes resulting from comments received were made on the basis of scientific and editorial merit.

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  1. Adis, a Wolters Kluwer Business, 41 Centorian Drive, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, North Shore, Auckland, 0754, New Zealand

    Sean T. Duggan & Monique P. Curran

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  1. Sean T. Duggan
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  2. Monique P. Curran
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Correspondence to Sean T. Duggan.

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Duggan, S.T., Curran, M.P. Transdermal Granisetron. Drugs 69, 2597–2605 (2009). https://doi.org/10.2165/11202780-000000000-00000

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