Health Library

Metoclopramide (By mouth)

Metoclopramide (met-oh-KLOE-pra-mide)

Relieves symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Also relieves symptoms of gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying) in patients with diabetes.

Brand Name(s):

Reglan

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Solution, Tablet, Dissolving Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• Take this medicine on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before each meal and at bedtime.
• Make sure your hands are dry before you handle the disintegrating tablet. Peel back the foil from the blister pack, then remove the tablet. Do not push the tablet through the foil. Place the tablet in your mouth. After it has melted, swallow or take a drink of water.
• Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
• This medicine is not for long-term use. Do not use this medicine for longer than 12 weeks.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not freeze the oral liquid.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how metoclopramide works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Acetaminophen, apomorphine, atovaquone, bromocriptine, cabergoline, cyclosporine, digoxin, fosfomycin, levodopa, posaconazole oral liquid, pramipexole, ropinirole, rotigotine, sirolimus, tacrolimus, tetracycline
  • Insulin or diabetes medicine
  • Medicine for depression (including bupropion, fluoxetine, paroxetine, an MAO inhibitor)
  • Medicine to treat mental illness
  • Narcotic pain medicine
• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, congestive heart failure, heart rhythm problems, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, high blood pressure, or a history of depression. Tell your doctor if you had recent surgery in your stomach.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Tardive dyskinesia
  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a nerve disorder that could be life-threatening)
  • Changes in mood or behavior
  • High blood pressure
  • Increased levels of prolactin hormone
• This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or have trouble with thinking or controlling body movements. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat
• Jerky muscle movements you cannot control (often in your face, tongue, or jaw)
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• Problems with balance or walking
• Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
• Seizures
• Severe muscle stiffness, tremors, twitching
• Swelling of the breasts, breast soreness, nipple discharge (in both women and men)
• Trouble breathing
• Unusual changes in mood or behavior, thoughts of hurting yourself or others
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps
• Headache
• Irregular menstrual periods
• Problems having sex
• Restlessness, confusion, trouble sleeping
• Skin rash, itching

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024