Uses
This medication is used to treat certain conditions of the stomach and intestines. Metoclopramide is used as a short-term treatment (4 to 12 weeks) for ongoing heartburn when the usual medicines do not work well enough. It is used mostly for heartburn that occurs after a meal or during the daytime. Treating ongoing heartburn can decrease the damage done by stomach acid to the swallowing tube (esophagus) and help healing.
Metoclopramide is also used in diabetic patients who have poor emptying of their stomachs (gastroparesis). Treating gastroparesis can decrease symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and stomach/abdominal fullness. Metoclopramide works by blocking a natural substance (dopamine). It speeds up stomach emptying and movement of the upper intestines.
This drug is not recommended for use in children due to an increased risk of serious side effects (such as muscle spasms/uncontrolled muscle movements). Ask the doctor or pharmacist for details.
Other Uses
This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
This drug may also be used to reduce the risk of nausea/vomiting from chemotherapy or radiation treatments for cancer.
How To Use
See also Warning section.
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking metoclopramide and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually up to 4 times daily (30 minutes before meals and at bedtime). If you are using the liquid form of this medication, carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose.
The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Because of the risk of tardive dyskinesia, do not take this more often, in larger doses, or for longer than directed by your doctor.
If heartburn only occurs at certain times (such as after the evening meal), your doctor may direct you to take a single dose before those times instead of taking it throughout the day. This will reduce your risk of side effects.
To treat diabetic gastroparesis, this medication is usually taken for 2 to 8 weeks until your gut is working well. This condition may recur from time to time. Your doctor may direct you to start taking this medication as soon as your symptoms reappear and stop when you feel better. Ask your doctor for directions for starting and stopping this medication.
Take this medication regularly as directed to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times before a meal each day.
If you suddenly stop using this medication, you may have withdrawal symptoms (such as dizziness, nervousness, headaches). To help prevent withdrawal, your doctor may lower your dose slowly. Withdrawal is more likely if you have used metoclopramide for a long time or in high doses. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you have withdrawal.
Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.
Side Effects
See also Warning section.
Drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness, trouble sleeping, agitation, headache, and diarrhea may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:
- mental/mood changes (such as anxiety, confusion, depression, thoughts of suicide)
- decreased sexual ability
- inability to keep still/need to pace
- muscle spasms/uncontrolled muscle movements (such as twisting neck, arching back)
- Parkinson-like symptoms (such as shaking, slowed/difficult movement, mask-like facial expression)
- abnormal breast-milk production
- enlarged/tender breasts
- swelling of the hands/feet
- changes in menstruation in women
This medication may rarely cause a very serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Get medical help right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
- fever
- muscle stiffness
- severe confusion
- sweating
- fast/irregular heartbeat
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Precautions
Before taking metoclopramide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- history of movement/muscle disorders (such as tardive dyskinesia, dystonia) caused by a medication
- bleeding/blockage/hole in the intestines/stomach
- breast cancer
- high blood pressure
- kidney problems
- heart failure
- mental/mood problems (such as depression, thoughts of suicide)
- Parkinson's disease
- liver problems (such as cirrhosis, porphyria)
- pheochromocytoma
- seizures
- a certain blood enzyme problem (NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase deficiency)
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).
Liquid products may contain alcohol. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence, liver disease, or any other condition that requires you to limit alcohol. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using this product safely.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
If you have diabetes, this product may make it harder to control your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have high or low blood sugar. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.
Children may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially muscle spasms/uncontrolled muscle movements. See also Uses section.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug, especially drowsiness, tardive dyskinesia, and Parkinson's type muscle problems. Drowsiness can increase the risk of falling.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
This drug passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Drug Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include:
- antipsychotic drugs (such as aripiprazole, haloperidol)
- atovaquone
- dopamine agonists (such as cabergoline, pergolide, ropinirole)
- fosfomycin
- MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, metaxalone, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine)
- pramlintide
- phenothiazines (such as promethazine, prochlorperazine)
- rivastigmine
Metoclopramide causes food and medication to move through your stomach more quickly, which may affect the absorption of some drugs. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see if any of the drugs that you are taking may be affected.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness, including alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, and opioid pain relievers (such as codeine).
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.
Overdose
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Alberta residents can call PADIS (Poison and Drug Information Service) 24 hours a day at 1-800-332-1414. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as endoscopy for ulcer) may be done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
If you have questions about missing a dose or you don't have more medication, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
