Metoclopramide, Oral/Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antiemetic

Generic and brand names: metoclopramide, injection; metoclopramide, oral; Clopra; Maxolon; Metoclopramide Intensol; Octamide PFS; Reglan; Reglan

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is used to treat certain stomach disorders with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and heartburn. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your health care provider if you have ever had:

• depression
• epilepsy
• heart disease or high blood pressure
• kidney or liver disease
• Parkinson's disease
• pheochromocytoma (a tumor of the adrenal gland)
• surgery on your stomach.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine may come in different forms. The injections will be given by your health care provider. If you have the tablets, take them 30 minutes before meals and at bedtime, unless your health care provider tells you otherwise.

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your health care provider. Do not take more of it or take it longer than prescribed.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your health care provider.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down the nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your health care provider approves.

This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Severe drowsiness; confusion; trembling; muscle spasms; twitching; unusual movements; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat.

Other: Weakness, mild drowsiness, restlessness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• levodopa (Larodopa, Dopar, Sinemet)
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan) (Do not take this medicine and an MAO inhibitor within 14 days of each other.)
• narcotics such as codeine, morphine, and hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
• sedatives such as phenobarbital, butabarbital (Butisol), amobarbital (Amytal), flurazepam (Dalmane), and temazepam (Restoril)
• tranquilizers such as diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), and alprazolam (Xanax).

Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.