Two medicines, side by side
Granisetron vs metoclopramide
Granisetron and metoclopramide are both labeled for nausea and vomiting. Drugs@FDA records approvals of granisetron since 1993 and of metoclopramide since 1979. Pharmacies paid $1.31 per granisetron HCl 1 mg tablet and $0.0439 per metoclopramide 10 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Granisetron's other strengths are brand-only: $685.85 per Sancuso 3.1 mg/24 hr patch. In FDA's classes, granisetron is a serotonin-3 receptor antagonist and metoclopramide a dopamine-2 receptor antagonist.
Check it at the source: the granisetron FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 31, 2017); the metoclopramide FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 18, 2026).
Highlights of the granisetron record
Granisetron (Kytril) · label of August 31, 2017
Used for
From the label: indicationsGranisetron hydrochloride injection is a serotonin-3 (5-HT 3 ) receptor antagonist indicated for: • The prevention of nausea and/or vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of emetogenic cancer therapy, including high-dose cisplatin. • The prevention and treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting in adults. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 29, 1993
- Generic labelers
- 8 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.31 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Highlights of the metoclopramide record
Metoclopramide (Reglan) · label of May 18, 2026
TARDIVE DYSKINESIA
Metoclopramide, including metoclopramide tablets, can cause tardive dyskinesia (TD), a potentially irreversible serious movement disorder. In patients treated with metoclopramide, including metoclopramide tablets, the risk of developing TD increases with duration of treatment and total cumulative dosage [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )].
Metoclopramide tablets are contraindicated in patients with a history of TD.
Used for
From the label: indicationsMetoclopramide Tablets USP are indicated for the: • Treatment for 4 to 12 weeks of symptomatic, documented gastroesophageal reflux in adults who fail to respond to conventional therapy. • Relief of symptoms in adults with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 7, 1979
- Generic labelers
- 39 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0439 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 10
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Granisetron label of August 31, 2017, Metoclopramide label of May 18, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do granisetron and metoclopramide differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, granisetron is a serotonin-3 receptor antagonist and metoclopramide a dopamine-2 receptor antagonist.
How each works, in its label's words: Granisetron, “Granisetron is a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 (5-HT 3 ) receptor antagonist with little or no affinity for other serotonin receptors, including 5-HT 1 ; 5-HT 1A ; 5-HT 1B/C ; 5-HT 2 ; …”; Metoclopramide, “Metoclopramide stimulates motility of the upper gastrointestinal tract without stimulating gastric, biliary, or pancreatic secretions.”
Only the metoclopramide label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: granisetron since 2007; metoclopramide since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Granisetron | Metoclopramide | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Nausea and vomiting | Acid reflux and ulcers, Nausea and vomiting |
| Pharmacologic class | Serotonin-3 Receptor Antagonist | Dopamine-2 Receptor Antagonist |
| How it works (label) | Granisetron is a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 (5-HT 3 ) receptor antagonist with little or no affinity for other serotonin receptors, including 5-HT 1 ; 5-HT 1A ; 5-HT 1B/C ; 5-HT 2 ; for alpha 1 -, alpha 2 - or beta-adrenoreceptors; … | Metoclopramide stimulates motility of the upper gastrointestinal tract without stimulating gastric, biliary, or pancreatic secretions. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The mean elimination half-life in subjects with normal renal function was 5 to 6 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 29, 1993 | February 7, 1979 |
| First generic approved | December 31, 2007 | July 29, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 8 labelers | 39 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.31 per tablet (Granisetron HCl 1 mg tablet) | $0.0439 per tablet (Metoclopramide 10 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -19% | -11% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 10 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 12,067 | 76,710 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Granisetron label, drug interactionsSerotonin syndrome (including altered mental status, autonomic instability, and neuromuscular symptoms) has been described following the concomitant use of 5-HT 3 receptor antagonists and other serotonergic drugs, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ].
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to granisetron
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions