Compare Anzemet vs. Sustol
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Helps prevent nausea and vomiting
Anzemet (dolasetron) prevents nausea and vomiting and does not have many side effects.
Helps prevent nausea and vomiting due to cancer chemotherapies.
Sustol (granisetron) is a long-acting injection that helps to prevent nausea and vomiting due to cancer chemotherapies, but causes bleeding and bruising at the injection site.
Upsides
- Reduced nausea and vomiting in people receiving chemotherapy.
- Well-tolerated with mild headache as the most common side effect.
- Requires only 1 dose prior to chemotherapy and once daily dosing after chemotherapy if needed for delayed nausea/vomiting.
- Each dose of Sustol (granisetron) provides relief from nausea and vomiting for at least 7 days.
- Dosing is less frequent than alternatives.
- Injection may be preferrable if you have difficulty swallowing a pill.
Downsides
- Anzemet (dolasetron) doesn't treat nausea and vomiting that's already happening. It only works to prevent future episodes.
- High doses of Anzemet (dolasetron) can cause problems with heart rhythm.
- Can be expensive since a generic version is not available.
- Sustol (granisetron) must be given at the doctor's office or infusion center 30 minutes before chemotherapy.
- The dose of Sustol (granisetron) needs to be adjusted if you have poor kidney function.
- Available as an expensive, branded product only.
Used for
- Prevention of nausea and vomiting due to cancer chemotherapy
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Extended-release injection
Price
No pricing information available
Lowest price
$49.44
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Reviews
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Side effects
9possible side effects
- Headache23%
- Fatigue6%
- Diarrhea5%
- Decreased heart rate4%
- Dizziness3%
- Pain3%
- Increased heart rate3%
- Indigestion2%
- Chills/shivering2%
The Sustol (granisetron) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- History of heart rhythms such as long QT syndrome or atrial fibrillation
- Heart failure
- Taking other medications that can affect heart rhythms
- Low potassium or magnesium levels
- Advanced age
- Serotonin syndrome
- Taking other medicines that affect serotonin levels such as tramadol and anti-depressants
- Serotonin syndrome
- Taking other medicines that affect serotonin levels such as anti-depressants
- Troublesome stomach side-effects (ileus)
- Taking other medications that cause constipation such as Norco and Percocet.
- Injection site reactions
- Bruising/bleeding more likely if also taking medications that affect blood coagulation
- Allergic reactions