Metoclopramide

This information from Lexicomp^® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

Gimoti; Reglan

Brand Names: Canada

MAR-Metoclopramide; Metonia [DSC]; PMS-Metoclopramide; PMS-Metoclopramide HCl

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to treat heartburn.
• It is used to treat or prevent upset stomach and throwing up.
• It is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD; acid reflux).
• It is used to treat a slow moving GI (gastrointestinal) tract in some people.
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

Children:

• This drug is not approved for use in children. However, the doctor may decide the benefits of taking this drug outweigh the risks. If your child has been given this drug, ask the doctor for information about the benefits and risks. Talk with the doctor if you have questions about giving this drug to your child.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?

• If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have ever had a severe muscle problem (tardive dyskinesia) or other muscle problem when taking this drug.
• If you have or have ever had depression or thoughts of suicide.
• If you have any of these health problems: GI (gastrointestinal) bleeding, hole in the GI tract, bowel block, pheochromocytoma, seizures, Parkinson’s disease, or high blood pressure.
• If you have any of these health problems: Kidney disease or liver disease.
• If you have been told by your doctor that you are a slow metabolizer of some drugs.
• If you are taking any drugs that may raise the chance of body movements you cannot control. There are many drugs that can do this. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
• If you take any drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) that must not be taken with this drug, like certain drugs that are used for depression, pain, or Parkinson’s disease. There are many drugs that must not be taken with this drug.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how this drug affects you.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely.
• Avoid alcohol, marijuana or other forms of cannabis, or prescription or OTC drugs that may slow your actions.
• If you stop taking this drug all of a sudden, you may have signs of withdrawal. Tell your doctor if you have any bad effects.
• If you are allergic to tartrazine (FD&C Yellow No. 5), talk with your doctor. Some products have tartrazine.
• Do not take more than what your doctor told you to take. Taking more than you are told may raise your chance of severe side effects.
• Do not take this drug for longer than you were told by your doctor.
• If you are 65 or older, use this drug with care. You could have more side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of high or low blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Shakiness, trouble moving around, or stiffness.
• Restlessness.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Trouble controlling body movements, twitching, change in balance, trouble swallowing or speaking.
• Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
• Fast, slow, or abnormal heartbeat.
• Change in how often urine is passed.
• Not able to control passing urine.
• Change in eyesight.
• Fever, chills, or sore throat.
• Enlarged breasts, nipple discharge, not able to get or keep an erection, or menstrual changes.
• A very bad and sometimes deadly health problem called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) may happen. Call your doctor right away if you have any fever, muscle cramps or stiffness, dizziness, very bad headache, confusion, change in thinking, fast heartbeat, heartbeat that does not feel normal, or are sweating a lot.
• A severe and sometimes deadly problem called serotonin syndrome may happen if you take this drug with certain other drugs. Call your doctor right away if you have agitation; change in balance; confusion; hallucinations; fever; fast or abnormal heartbeat; flushing; muscle twitching or stiffness; seizures; shivering or shaking; sweating a lot; severe diarrhea, upset stomach, or throwing up; or severe headache.
• Depression and suicidal thoughts have happened. Some people who took this drug committed suicide. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of depression, suicidal thoughts, emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

All products:

• Feeling sleepy.
• Diarrhea, upset stomach, or throwing up.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Headache.

Nose spray:

• Change in taste.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

How is this drug best taken?

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

All oral products:

• Take at least 30 minutes before eating and at bedtime unless your doctor has told you otherwise.

Oral-disintegrating tablet:

• Do not take this drug out of the blister pack until you are ready to take it. Take this drug right away after opening the blister pack. Do not store the removed drug for future use.
• Do not push the tablet out of the foil when opening. Use dry hands to take it from the foil. Place on your tongue and let it dissolve. Water is not needed. Do not swallow it whole. Do not chew, break, or crush it.

Oral solution:

• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with this drug. If there is none, ask the pharmacist for a device to measure this drug.

Nose spray:

• For the nose only.
• Take at least 30 minutes before eating and at bedtime unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
• Before first use, prime by spraying 10 times into the air away from your face.
• Put the tip of the pump in one side of your nose and point it toward the back and outer part of the nostril. Tip your head slightly forward and keep the bottle upright.
• Use one finger to gently close the other side of your nose. Breathe in through the open nostril and press the pump with firm and even pressure. Wipe the tip clean after each use.
• Spray up the nose only. Do not spray onto the wall joining the two nostrils.
• Breathe out from your mouth.
• If you are not sure if the nose spray went in the nose, do not take another dose. Take your next dose at your normal time.

Injection:

• It is given as a shot into a muscle or vein.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

All oral products:

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

Nose spray:

• Skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

Injection:

• Call your doctor to find out what to do.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

All oral products:

• Store at room temperature protected from light. Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.

Oral solution:

• Do not freeze.

Nose spray:

• Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• After opening, throw away any part not used after 28 days.

Injection:

• If you need to store this drug at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

All products:

• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• This drug comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time this drug is refilled. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2023-04-26

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