Chemo-Induced Nausea and Vomiting

Chemo Induced Nausea and Vomiting

  • Sancuso (granisetron transdermal systems) relieves chemotherapy complications.

  • Why do some patients with cancer experience chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV)?

    1. Chemotherapy has helped millions of patients in their battle against cancer as it destroys cancer cells. Unfortunately, healthy, noncancerous cells are sometimes destroyed too, which can lead to unpleasant side effects, such as CINV.

    2. Chemotherapy has helped millions of patients in their battle against cancer as it destroys cancer cells. Unfortunately, healthy, noncancerous cells are sometimes destroyed too, which can lead to unpleasant side effects, such as CINV.

    3. Questionnaire

      • If you have chemotherapy Complications that may make it hard for you to take oral medications

      • You may be interested in a different way to prevent CINV

        • If you can check any of the boxes below, ask your healthcare professional about CINV option that may be right for you

          • Mouth Problems

            • Difficulty Swallowing

            • Side Effects from Chemotherapy that may include

              • Mouth Sore

              • Breakdown of the lining of the mouth

              • Mouth Infections

              • Dry Mouth

          • Gastrointestinal Issues

            • Constipation from pain medications (opioids)

            • Side effect from chemotherapy such as

              • Breakdown in the lining of the GI tract

              • Diarrhea

              • Bowel Blockage

              • Abdominal pain and swelling

          • Chemotherapy with a 90% or More Chance of CINV

            • AC (doxorubicin or epirubicin with cyclophosphamide)

            • Carmustine >250 mg/m

            • Cisplatin

            • Cyclophosphamide>1500 mg/m

            • Dacarbazine

            • Mechlorethamine

            • Streptozotocin

            • Carboplatin AUC >4

            • Doxorubicin >60 mg/m

            • Epirubicin>90mg/m

            • Ifosfamide >2 g/m per dose

Why do some patients with cancer experience chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV)?
  • Chemotherapy has helped millions of patients in their battle against cancer as it destroys cancer cells. Unfortunately, healthy, noncancerous cells are sometimes destroyed too, which can lead to unpleasant side effects, such as CINV.
  • While some types of chemotherapy may cause nausea and vomiting, medications like SANCUSO are designed to help prevent CINV from occurring.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

SANCUSO® (granisetron transdermal system) is indicated for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in adults receiving moderately and/or highly emetogenic chemotherapy regimens of up to 5 consecutive days.


CONTRADICTIONS

Sancuso is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to granisetron or to any of the components of the transdermal system.


WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
  • Progressive Ileus and Gastric Distention: Sancuso may mask a progressive ileus and/or gastric distention. This should be particularly considered before use of Sancuso in patients who have had recent abdominal surgery. Monitor for decreased bowel activity, particularly in patients with risk factors for gastrointestinal obstruction.
  • Serotonin Syndrome: The development of serotonin syndrome has been reported with 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. Patients should be monitored for the emergence of serotonin syndrome, especially with concomitant use of Sancuso and other serotonergic drugs.
  • If symptoms of serotonin syndrome occur, discontinue Sancuso and initiate supportive treatment. Patients should be informed of the increased risk of serotonin syndrome, especially if Sancuso is used concomitantly with other serotonergic drugs. Skin Reactions: In clinical trials with Sancuso, application site reactions were reported that were generally mild in intensity and did not lead to discontinuation of use. The incidence of reactions was comparable with placebo. If severe reactions, or a generalized skin reaction occur (e.g., allergic rash, including erythematous, macular, papular rash or pruritus), remove the Sancuso transdermal system.
  • Increased Drug Exposure with Use of External Heat Sources: Prolonged exposure to heat results in increasing plasma concentrations of granisetron during the period of heat exposure. Do not apply a heat pad or heat lamp over or in the vicinity of the Sancuso transdermal system and avoid extended exposure to heat.
  • Phototoxicity with Ultraviolet Light Exposure: Granisetron may be affected by direct natural or artificial sunlight, including sunlamps. An in vitro study using Chinese hamster ovary cells suggests that granisetron has the potential for photogenotoxicity. To avoid a potential skin reaction, advise patients to cover the application site of the transdermal system with clothing if there is a risk of exposure to direct natural or artificial sunlight throughout the period of wear and for 10 days following its removal.

Adverse Reactions

The most common adverse reaction (≥ 3%) is constipation.

You are encouraged to report suspected adverse reactions to Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. at 1-800-Sancuso or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/ medwatch.

See full Prescribing Information for SANCUSO.