What is metoclopramide?
Metoclopramide increases muscle contractions in the upper digestive tract. This speeds up the rate at which the stomach empties into the intestines.
Metoclopramide is used short-term to treat heartburn caused by gastroesophageal reflux in people who have used other medications without relief of symptoms.
Metoclopramide is also used to treat slow gastric emptying in people with diabetes (also called diabetic gastroparesis), which can cause nausea, vomiting, heartburn, loss of appetite, and a feeling of fullness after meals.
Metoclopramide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about metoclopramide?
NEVER TAKE METOCLOPRAMIDE IN LARGER AMOUNTS THAN RECOMMENDED, OR FOR LONGER THAN 12 WEEKS. High doses or long-term use of metoclopramide can cause a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. Symptoms of this disorder include uncontrollable muscle movements of your lips, tongue, eyes, face, arms, or legs. The longer you take metoclopramide, the more likely you are to develop a serious movement disorder. The risk of this side effect is higher in women, diabetics, and older adults.
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to metoclopramide, or if you have bleeding or blockage in your stomach or intestines, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, or an adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma).
Before you take metoclopramide, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, or a history of depression.
Do not drink alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of metoclopramide.
There are many other medicines that can interact with metoclopramide. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.
Stop using metoclopramide and call your doctor at once if you have tremors or uncontrolled muscle movements, fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, rapid breathing, depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself, hallucinations, anxiety, agitation, seizure, or jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking metoclopramide?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to metoclopramide, or if you have:
bleeding or blockage in your stomach or intestines;
a perforation (hole) in your stomach or intestines;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
an adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma).
To make sure you can safely take metoclopramide, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
kidney disease;
liver disease (especially cirrhosis);
congestive heart failure, a heart rhythm disorder;
high blood pressure;
breast cancer;
Parkinson's disease;
diabetes (your insulin dose may need adjusting); or
depression or mental illness.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Metoclopramide can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
The metoclopramide orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of metoclopramide if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
Metoclopramide should not be given to a child.