• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info

What is this medicine?
METOCLOPRAMIDE (met oh kloe PRA mide) is used to treat the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) like heartburn. It is also used to treat people with slow emptying of the stomach and intestinal tract.

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

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 09/2009. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit www.drugstore.com. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.

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What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• abnormal production of milk in females
• breast enlargement in both males and females
• change in the way you walk
• difficulty moving, speaking or swallowing
• drooling, lip smacking, or rapid movements of the tongue
• excessive sweating
• fever
• involuntary or uncontrollable movements of the eyes, head, arms and legs
• irregular heartbeat or palpitations
• muscle twitches and spasms
• unusually weak or tired

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

• change in sex drive or performance
• depressed mood
• diarrhea
• difficulty sleeping
• headache
• menstrual changes
• restless or nervous

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.

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How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine on an empty stomach, about 30 minutes before eating. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on the advice of your doctor or health care professional.

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 pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine 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.

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What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

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What may interact with this medicine?

• acetaminophen
• cyclosporine
• digoxin
• medicines for blood pressure
• medicines for diabetes, including insulin
• medicines for hay fever and other allergies
• medicines for depression, especially an Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI)
• medicines for Parkinson's disease, like levodopa
• medicines for sleep or for pain
• tetracycline

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.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Mechanical obstruction or perforation or other situations in which stimulation of GI motility might be dangerous.
• GI hemorrhage (however, has been used to empty the stomach of blood prior to endoscopy in patients with acute upper GI hemorrhage).
• Pheochromocytoma (due to potential for hypertensive crisis).
• History of seizure disorders.
• Concomitant therapy with drugs likely to cause extrapyramidal reactions (e.g., phenothiazines, butyrophenones).
• Known intolerance to metoclopramide.
• Known hypersensitivity to metoclopramide or any ingredient in the formulation.

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What should I watch for while using this medicine?
It may take a few weeks for your stomach condition to start to get better. However, do not take this medicine for longer than 12 weeks. The longer you take this medicine, and the more you take it, the greater your chances are of developing serious side effects. If you are an elderly patient, a female patient, or you have diabetes, you may be at an increased risk for side effects from this medicine. Contact your doctor 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 doctor.

Do not treat yourself for high fever. Ask your doctor or health care professional 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 drug affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can make you more drowsy and dizzy. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

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What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• breast cancer
• depression
• diabetes
• 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 medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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