Metoclopramide Injection

What is this medication?

METOCLOPRAMIDE (met oh kloe PRA mide) treats slow emptying of the digestive tract (gastroparesis). It works by helping the muscles in your digestive tract move food. This empties your digestive tract, which relieves symptoms such as fullness, nausea, and heartburn. It may also be used to prevent nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy or surgery. It works by blocking substances in your body that may cause nausea and vomiting.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Reglan

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Breast cancer
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Frequently drink alcohol
• Heart failure
• High blood pressure
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Parkinson's disease or a movement disorder
• Pheochromocytoma
• Seizures
• Stomach obstruction, bleeding, or perforation
• An unusual or allergic reaction to metoclopramide, procainamide, sulfites, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medication is for injection into a muscle or for infusion into a vein. It is given in a hospital or clinic setting.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What may interact with this medication?

• Alcohol
• Antihistamines for allergy, cough, and cold
• Atovaquone
• Atropine
• Bupropion
• Certain medications for anxiety or sleep
• Certain medications for bladder problems, such as oxybutynin, tolterodine
• Certain medications for depression or mental health conditions
• Certain medications for Parkinson's disease
• Certain medications for seizures, such as phenobarbital, primidone
• Certain medications for stomach problems, such as dicyclomine, hyoscyamine
• Certain medications for travel sickness, such as scopolamine
• Cyclosporine
• Digoxin
• Fosfomycin
• General anesthetics, such as halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, propofol
• Insulin and other medications for diabetes
• Ipratropium
• MAOIs, such as Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
• Medications that relax muscles for surgery
• Opioid medications for pain
• Paroxetine
• Phenothiazines, such as chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
• Posaconazole
• Quinidine
• Sirolimus
• Tacrolimus

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

It may take a few weeks for your stomach condition to get better. However, do not take this medication for longer than 12 weeks. The longer you take this medication, and the more you take it, the greater your chances are of developing serious side effects. If you are over 65 years of age, a female patient, or you have diabetes, you may be at an increased risk for side effects from this medication. Contact your care team immediately if you start having movements you cannot control such as lip smacking, rapid movements of the tongue, involuntary or uncontrollable movements of the eyes, head, arms and legs, or muscle twitches and spasms.

Patients and their families should watch out for worsening depression or thoughts of suicide. Also watch out for any sudden or severe changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose, call your care team.

Do not treat yourself for high fever. Ask your care team for advice.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medication affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are over 65 years of age. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can make you more drowsy and dizzy. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• High fever, stiff muscles, increased sweating, fast or irregular heartbeat, and confusion, which may be signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• High prolactin level—unexpected breast tissue growth, discharge from the nipple, change in sex drive or performance, irregular menstrual cycle
• Increase in blood pressure
• Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
• Uncontrolled and repetitive body movements, muscle stiffness or spasms, tremors or shaking, loss of balance or coordination, restlessness, shuffling walk, which may be signs of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Confusion
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Trouble sleeping

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

This medication is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.