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 your child 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 the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?

• If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
• If your child has ever had a severe muscle problem (tardive dyskinesia) or other muscle problem when taking this drug.
• If your child has or has ever had depression or thoughts of suicide.
• If your child has 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 your child has any of these health problems: Kidney disease or liver disease.
• If you have been told by the doctor that your child is a slow metabolizer of some drugs.
• If your child is taking any drugs that may raise the chance of body movements that cannot be controlled. There are many drugs that can do this. Ask the doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
• If your child takes 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 the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?

• Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for alertness until you see how this drug affects your child. These are things like riding a bike, playing sports, or using items such as scissors, lawnmowers, electric scooters, toy cars, or motorized vehicles.
• Have your child’s blood work checked often. Talk with your child’s doctor.
• If your child has high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your child’s blood sugar closely.
• Alcohol may interact with this drug. Be sure your child does not drink alcohol.
• Avoid giving your child marijuana or other forms of cannabis, or prescription or OTC drugs that may slow your child’s actions.
• If you stop giving this drug to your child all of a sudden, your child may have signs of withdrawal. Tell the doctor if your child has any bad effects.
• If your child is allergic to tartrazine (FD&C Yellow No. 5), talk with your child’s doctor. Some products have tartrazine.
• Do not give your child more of this drug than what the doctor told you to give. Giving more of this drug than you are told may raise the chance of severe side effects.
• Do not give this drug to your child for longer than you were told by the doctor.

If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:

• Talk with the doctor if your child is pregnant, becomes pregnant, or is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to your child and the baby.

What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s 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 child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has 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.
• Restlessness.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Shakiness, trouble moving around, or stiffness.
• 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 or nipple discharge.
• A very bad and sometimes deadly health problem called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) may happen. Call your child’s doctor right away if your child has any fever, muscle cramps or stiffness, dizziness, very bad headache, confusion, change in thinking, fast heartbeat, heartbeat that does not feel normal, or is sweating a lot.
• A severe and sometimes deadly problem called serotonin syndrome may happen if your child takes this drug with certain other drugs. Call your child’s doctor right away if your child has 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 child’s doctor right away if your child has signs of depression, suicidal thoughts, emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, or lack of interest in life.

If your child has menstrual periods:

• Period (menstrual) changes.

If your child is or may be sexually active:

• Not able to get or keep an erection.

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 child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:

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

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

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

How is this drug best given?

Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

All oral products:

• Give at least 30 minutes before your child eats and at bedtime unless your child’s doctor has told you otherwise.

Oral-disintegrating tablet:

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

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.

Injection:

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

What do I do if my child misses a dose?

All oral products:

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

Injection:

• Call your child’s 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.

Injection:

• If you need to store this drug at home, talk with your child’s 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 child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
• Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, 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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