Metoclopramide is a medication used to treat stomach and intestine problems.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
Metoclopramide is a short-term (4 to 12 weeks) treatment for persistent heartburn when other medications are ineffective. It is usually used to treat heartburn that develops after a meal or during the day.
Treating persistent heartburn can reduce stomach acid damage to the swallowing tube (esophagus) and aid in healing.
Metoclopramide is also utilized by diabetic patients who have slow stomach emptying (gastroparesis).
Treatment for gastroparesis can reduce nausea, vomiting, and stomach/abdominal fullness.
Metoclopramide works by inhibiting a naturally occurring chemical (dopamine). It hastens stomach emptying and upper intestine movement.
Because of the increased risk of major adverse effects (such as muscle spasms/uncontrolled muscle movements), this medicine is not advised for use in children.
For more information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
What Are the Adverse Effects of Metoclopramide?
Drowsiness, dizziness, weariness, difficulty sleeping, agitation, headache, and diarrhea are all possible side effects. Inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately if any of these effects persist or worsen.
This drug may cause an increase in your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and notify your doctor if it is high.
Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of the following serious side effects:
- Mental/mood changes (such as anxiety, confusion, depression, suicidal thoughts),
- Inability to sit 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)
- Swelling of the hands/feet
- Decreased sexual ability
- Abnormal breast-milk production
- Enlarged/tender breasts
- Changes in menstruation in women
Call your physician immediately if you develop uncontrollable body movements, especially lip-smacking, mouth puckering, chewing, frowning, scowling, sticking out your tongue, blinking, eye movements, or trembling arms or legs.
Precautions Before Taking Metoclopramide
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to metoclopramide or have other allergies. Inactive chemicals in this product may cause allergic reactions or other complications. For more information, consult your pharmacist.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history, especially if you have a history of:
- Movement/muscle disorders (such as tardive dyskinesia and dystonia) caused by medication
- Bleeding/blockage/hole in the intestines/stomach
- Breast cancer
- High blood pressure, kidney problems
- Heart failure
- Mental/mood problems (such as depression, suicidal ideation)
- Parkinson’s disease
- Liver problems (such as cirrhosis, porphyria (NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase deficiency)
This medication may cause dizziness or drowsiness. You may become dizzy or drowsy if you consume alcohol or marijuana (cannabis). Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that requires attentiveness until you can do it safely. Consume no alcoholic beverages. If you use marijuana, consult your doctor.
Aspartame or phenylalanine may be present in this medicine. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU) or another condition that requires you to limit or avoid aspartame or phenylalanine in your diet, see your doctor or pharmacist about the safe use of this medication.
Inform your doctor or dentist about all of the products you consume before undergoing surgery (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
If you have diabetes, this product may make controlling your blood sugar more difficult. Check your blood sugar levels regularly and share the results with your doctor.
If you experience high or low blood sugar symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. Your diabetic medication, exercise routine, or diet may need to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children may be more sensitive to the drug’s negative effects, particularly muscle spasms/uncontrolled muscle movements.
This medication’s side effects, particularly sleepiness, tardive dyskinesia, and Parkinson’s-like muscular difficulties, may be more severe in older people. Drowsiness can raise your chances of falling.
This drug should be taken only when necessary during pregnancy. Consult your doctor about the dangers and advantages.
This medication is excreted in breast milk and may harm a nursing newborn. Before breastfeeding, consult your doctor.
Interactions
Drug interactions might alter how your prescriptions operate or put you at risk for dangerous adverse effects.
This guide does not include every conceivable medication interaction. Maintain a list of all the products you use (including prescription and nonprescription medicines and herbal supplements) and discuss it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or modify the dosage of any medications without first consulting your doctor.
Some products that may interact with this medication include:
- Antipsychotics (such as aripiprazole and haloperidol),
- Atovaquone
- Dopamine agonists (such as cabergoline, pergolide, and ropinirole)
- Fosfomycin
- MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, metaxalone, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine)
Metoclopramide causes food and medication to flow more quickly through your stomach, which may impact drug absorption. Consult your doctor or pharmacist to check if any medications you take are affected.
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other drowsy medications, such as opioid pain relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), sleep or anxiety medications (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine).
Check the labels of all your medications (such as allergy or cough-and-cold remedies) because they may contain drowsy chemicals. Inquire with your pharmacist about how to use those products properly.
What to Do in the Case of an Overdose?
Call 911 if someone has overdosed and is experiencing serious symptoms like passing out or difficulty breathing. Otherwise, contact a poison control center immediately.
Residents in the United States can contact their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Residents of Canada can contact a provincial poison control center.
Other Notes
Do not give this medication to anybody else.
While taking this drug, you may be subjected to laboratory or medical testing (such as endoscopy for ulcers). For further information, speak with your doctor.
What Happens if I Miss a Dose?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If the next dose is approaching, skip the missing dose. Take your next dose at your usual time. To catch up, do not increase the dose.
How Should I Store Metoclopramide?
Store away from light and moisture at room temperature. Keep out of the bathroom. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and dogs.
Unless otherwise directed, do not flush drugs or pour them down the drain. When this product has expired or is no longer needed, properly dispose of it. Consult your pharmacist or a garbage disposal firm in your area.
What Else Should I Be Aware of?
Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.
Do not give your medication to anyone else. If you have any questions regarding refilling your prescription, ask the pharmacist.
It is critical that you keep a written record of all prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medications you are taking, as well as any vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you whenever you go to the doctor or are admitted to the hospital. It is also crucial to have this information on hand in case of an emergency.
Should I Speak with an Attorney About Metoclopramide Side Effects?
Please visit your doctor if you encounter any of the above negative effects. If you have been injured as a result of metoclopramide, you should consult with an expert class action lawyer to discuss your options and potential remedies.
