metoclopramide

Pronunciation: MET oh KLOE pra mide
Brand: Reglan

Metoclopramide 10 mg-APH

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What is the most important information I should know about metoclopramide?

donot You should not take this medication if you are allergic to metoclopramide, or if you have bleeding or blockage in your stomach or intestines, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, or an adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma).

Before taking metoclopramide, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, or a history of depression.

noalcohol Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of metoclopramide.
donot There are many other medicines that can interact with metoclopramide. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

Do not take it in larger amounts than recommended, or for longer than 3 months. High doses or long-term use of metoclopramide may cause tremors or other uncontrollable muscle movements, especially in older women.

emt Stop using metoclopramide and call your doctor at once if you have tremors or uncontrolled muscle movements, fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, rapid breathing, depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself, hallucinations, anxiety, agitation, seizure, or jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).
donot After you stop taking metoclopramide, you may have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as headache, dizziness, or nervousness. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.

What is metoclopramide?

Metoclopramide increases muscle contractions in upper digestive tract. This speeds up the rate at which the stomach empties into the intestines.

Metoclopramide is used short-term to treat heartburn caused by gastroesophageal reflux in people who have used other medications without relief of symptoms.

Metoclopramide is also used to treat slow gastric emptying in people with diabetes (also called diabetic gastroparesis), which can cause nausea, vomiting, heartburn, loss of appetite, and a feeling of fullness after meals.

Metoclopramide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking metoclopramide?

donot You should not take this medication if you are allergic to metoclopramide, or if you have:
  • bleeding or blockage in your stomach or intestines;
  • a perforation (hole) in your stomach or intestines;
  • epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
  • an adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma).

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

  • kidney disease;
  • liver disease (especially cirrhosis);
  • congestive heart failure;
  • diabetes (your insulin dose may need adjusting); or
  • a history of depression.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take metoclopramide.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

nobrfeed Metoclopramide can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take metoclopramide?

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts than recommended, or for longer than 3 months. High doses or long-term use of metoclopramide may cause tremors or other uncontrollable muscle movements, especially in older women. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Do not take metoclopramide in larger amounts or for longer than 3 months.

water Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

The oral concentrate form of metoclopramide must be mixed with another liquid, such as water, fruit juice, soda, or a soft food like applesauce or pudding. Carefully follow mixing directions to make sure you get the correct dose.

Metoclopramide is usually taken before meals and at bedtime. Your doctor may want you to take the medication as needed only with meals that usually cause heartburn. Follow your doctor's instructions.

rt Store metoclopramide at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
donot After you stop taking metoclopramide, you may have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as headache, dizziness, or nervousness. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

emt Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, confusion, tremors or uncontrolled muscle movements in face or neck, or seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking metoclopramide?

dizzy Narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, and medicine for anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by metoclopramide. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these other medicines.
noalcohol Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of metoclopramide.
dizzy Metoclopramide can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

What are the possible side effects of metoclopramide?

emt Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
emt Stop using metoclopramide and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
  • tremors, or restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;
  • mask-like appearance of the face;
  • fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, rapid breathing;
  • depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
  • hallucinations, anxiety, agitation, jittery feeling, trouble staying still;
  • swelling, fluid retention;
  • jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes); or
  • seizure (convulsions).

Less serious side effects may include:

  • feeling restless, drowsy, tired, or dizzy;
  • headache, sleep problems (insomnia);
  • nausea, diarrhea;
  • breast tenderness or swelling;
  • changes in your menstrual periods; or
  • urinating more than usual.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect metoclopramide?

Before taking metoclopramide, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

  • acetaminophen (Tylenol);
  • cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
  • digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);
  • glycopyrrolate (Robinul);
  • levodopa (Larodopa, Atamet, Parcopa, Sinemet);
  • mepenzolate (Cantil);
  • tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Robitet, Sumycin, Tetracap, and others);
  • atropine (Donnatal, and others), benztropine (Cogentin), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), methscopolamine (Pamine), or scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);
  • bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin (Enablex), tolterodine (Detrol), or solifenacin (Vesicare);
  • bronchodilators such as ipratroprium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva);
  • irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin), or propantheline (Pro-Banthine); or
  • an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with metoclopramide. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about metoclopramide.


Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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