Health Library

Metoclopramide (By injection)

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

Treats and prevents nausea and vomiting after surgery or cancer treatments. Relieves nausea, vomiting, and heartburn caused by a stomach problem called gastroparesis in patients with diabetes. Also used to help diagnose intestinal or stomach problems.

Brand Name(s):

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose. This medicine is given as a shot into your muscles or through a needle placed in one of your veins.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

If a dose is missed:

• This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

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

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using acetaminophen (Tylenol®), cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®), digoxin (Lanoxin®), levodopa (Dopar®), or tetracycline (Sumycin®). Tell your doctor if you are also using an MAO inhibitor [MAOI] (such as isocarboxazid, selegiline, tranylcypromine, Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate®), narcotic pain killers, or medicine for depression.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
• If you use insulin for diabetes, ask your doctor if you need to adjust your dose while using metoclopramide injection.
• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol. .

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, high blood pressure, Parkinson's disease, or a history of depression, or had recent surgery on your stomach.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
• This medicine may cause tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder). Check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while using this medicine: lip smacking or puckering, puffing of the cheeks, rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue, uncontrolled chewing movements, or uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs.
• Check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while using this medicine: convulsions (seizures); difficulty with breathing; a fast heartbeat; a high fever; high or low blood pressure; increased sweating; loss of bladder control; severe muscle stiffness; unusually pale skin; or tiredness. These could be symptoms of a serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).
• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

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
• Depression or thoughts of hurting oneself or others.
• Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat.
• Fever, sweating, confusion, or muscle stiffness.
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain in your upper stomach.
• Problems with speech, balance, or walking.
• Shortness of breath or trouble with breathing.
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
• Tremors.
• Twitching or muscle movements you cannot control.
• Uncontrollable movements of the face, neck, or tongue.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

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

• Breast swelling, discharge, and tenderness.
• Drowsiness, dizziness, or headache.
• Dry mouth.
• Mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.
• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed or the shot is given.
• Skin rash or itching.
• Trouble with sleeping.

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