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Metoclopramide - Injection

Pronunciation: MET-oh-KLOE-pra-mide

Common Brand Name(s): Reglan

Important: How To Use This Information

This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.

Warning

This medication may cause a serious movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia. In some cases, this condition may be permanent. The risk of tardive dyskinesia is increased with the longer use of the medication and the more medication that you receive. The risk is also increased in older adults (especially women) and in people with diabetes. Metoclopramide comes in different forms (such as tablets, solution). Do not use metoclopramide products for longer than 12 weeks. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of this medication.

Tell your doctor right away if you develop any unusual uncontrolled movements (especially of the face, mouth, tongue, arms or legs). There is no treatment for tardive dyskinesia, but in some cases the symptoms may lessen or stop once metoclopramide is stopped.

Uses

Metoclopramide is used to prevent nausea and vomiting from surgery or chemotherapy. It is also used by people with diabetes who have slow emptying of their stomachs (gastroparesis). Treating gastroparesis can decrease symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and stomach/abdominal fullness. Metoclopramide may also be used in certain procedures where stomach emptying is needed. Metoclopramide works by blocking a natural substance (dopamine) which can cause nausea and vomiting. It also speeds up stomach emptying and movement of the upper intestines.

This drug is not recommended for use in children younger than 1 year due to an increased risk of serious side effects (such as muscle spasms/uncontrolled muscle movements). Ask the doctor or pharmacist for details.

How To Use

Side Effects

Precautions

Before using 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 using 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
pheochromocytoma
seizures
mental/mood problems (such as depression, thoughts of suicide)
Parkinson's disease
high blood pressure
heart failure
liver disease
kidney problems
a certain blood enzyme problem (NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase deficiency)
breast cancer

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).

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.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug, especially drowsiness, tardive dyskinesia, and Parkinson-like side effects. 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

Keep all medical and lab appointments.

Missed Dose

It is important to get each dose of this medication as scheduled. If you miss a dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist right away for a new dosing schedule.

If you have questions about missing a dose or you don't have more medication, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Storage

Not applicable. This medication is given in a hospital and will not be stored at home.

Information last revised January 2023.

Selected from data included with permission and copyright by First DataBank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.

Conditions of Use: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. The display and use of this drug information is subject to express Terms of Use.

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