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Overview: Metoclopramide is used to treat acid reflux and gastroparesis to prevent nausea and vomiting and before certain medical procedures. Common side effects include restlessness, drowsiness, headache, and dizziness. It is important not to drink alcohol while using metoclopramide. Metoclopramide comes as a tablet, orally disintegrating tablet (ODT), oral liquid, nasal spray, and injection.

Uses

What is metoclopramide used for?

Metoclopramide is commonly used for the following conditions.

These uses may vary depending on the specific metoclopramide product prescribed.

Metoclopramide may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does metoclopramide work (mechanism of action)?

Metoclopramide works in a few ways. It helps move food out of your stomach by increasing the contractions of your stomach muscles. Metoclopramide also works to block the actions of dopamine, which may help prevent nausea and vomiting. The medicine also works to help keep the lower part of the esophagus closed, which helps prevent stomach acid from coming up to your throat.

How is metoclopramide supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Gimoti
  • Reglan

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 5 mg, 10 mg oral tablets
  • 5 mg, 10 mg orally disintegrating tablets
  • 5 mg/5 mL, 10 mg/10 mL oral solution
  • 15 mg/spray nasal spray

Metoclopramide is also available in injectable forms.

How should I store metoclopramide?

Oral Tablet, Orally Disintegrating Tablet, and Oral Solution. Metoclopramide should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Nasal Spray. Metoclopramide should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Throw metoclopramide nasal spray away four weeks after opening it, even if there is still medicine left in the bottle.

Injection Liquid. Metoclopramide is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. If you will store metoclopramide at home, follow the instructions given by your health care provider.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of metoclopramide?

The most common side effects of metoclopramide are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Restlessness
  • Drowsiness
  • Tiredness or lack of energy
  • Dizziness
  • Headache 
  • Confusion
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Change in how things taste (nasal spray)

There may be other side effects of metoclopramide that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medeffect-canada or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of metoclopramide?

While less common, the most serious side effects of metoclopramide are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Metoclopramide may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using metoclopramide and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Uncontrolled Movements. Metoclopramide can cause some people to have movements that they cannot control. This condition, called tardive dyskinesia (TD), can cause jerky movements of the face, tongue, or body. The risk of TD goes up the longer you use metoclopramide and the more you use it. TD can be permanent. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of TD.

  • Tongue sticking out
  • Lip smacking or puckering
  • Grimacing
  • Rapid eye blinking
  • Jerking or twisting motion of the arms, legs, or trunk

Movement Problems. Metoclopramide may rarely cause involuntary movement problems, including shakiness, stiffness, jerkiness, or balance problems. Call your health care provider right away if you have any unusual or uncontrolled movements. 

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS). Metoclopramide may cause a rare but serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome. NMS can lead to death. Stop using metoclopramide and call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • High fever
  • Muscle stiffness or rigidity, where it is hard to move
  • Changes in your breathing or heart rate
  • Increased sweating
  • Confusion

Depression or Suicidal Thoughts and Actions. Metoclopramide may cause depression. It may also cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a small number of people. If you are about to harm yourself, call 911 or call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • New or increased thoughts of suicide or death
  • Suicide attempt
  • New or increased feelings of anxiety, depression, or other unusual changes in mood or behavior

Increased Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Metoclopramide may increase your blood pressure or make it worse if you have a history of high blood pressure. Call your health care provider if your blood pressure increases while using this medicine.

If you measure your blood pressure and the top number (systolic) is 180 or higher or the bottom number (diastolic) is 120 or higher, get medical attention right away. Increases in blood pressure may not be noticeable, but look out for and tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of severely high blood pressure.

  • Sudden severe headache
  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Trouble breathing
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Blurry or other changes to vision
  • Anxiety
  • Buzzing in the ears
  • Nosebleed
  • Feeling of skipped heartbeats

Fluid Retention (Edema). Metoclopramide may cause fluid retention, also called edema. Fluid retention can cause serious issues in people with certain conditions, such as heart failure or kidney problems. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms. 

  • Chest pain
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Shortness of breath
  • Stretched or shiny skin
  • Swollen body parts, such as the belly or ankles

High Prolactin Levels (Hyperprolactinemia). Metoclopramide may cause an increased level of the hormone prolactin in your blood. High levels of prolactin could lead to fertility or bone problems. Contact your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Vaginal dryness
  • Irregular or no periods 
  • Producing breastmilk when not pregnant or nursing
  • Inability to get or keep an erection
  • Enlarged breast size (gynecomastia)
  • Decreased muscle mass and body hair

Decreased Alertness or Coordination. Metoclopramide can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how metoclopramide affects you.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use metoclopramide?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use metoclopramide.

  • Gimoti
  • Metoclopramide
  • Reglan
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific metoclopramide products they stock.

Movement Problems. Metoclopramide should not be used if you have or have had tardive dyskinesia. It should also not be used if you have had movement problems with metoclopramide or a medicine like metoclopramide.

Certain Stomach or Intestine Problems. Metoclopramide should not be used if you have certain stomach problems, including bleeding, a blockage, or a hole in your stomach or intestines.

Certain Tumors. Metoclopramide should not be used if you have certain types of tumors that release hormones, such as pheochromocytoma or paragangliomas. This may cause too much hormone to be released from these tumors, which can cause high blood pressure. 

Epilepsy or Seizures. Metoclopramide should not be used if you have epilepsy because it may increase your risk of having more frequent or severe seizures.

What should I know about metoclopramide before using it?

Do not use metoclopramide unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed.

Do not share metoclopramide with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep metoclopramide out of the reach of children.

People who are 65 and older or children can be at greater risk of some side effects from metoclopramide. Talk to your health care provider about your risks if you are in these age groups.

There are multiple forms of metoclopramide available. Read and follow the instructions for the product you have and make sure that you understand how to prepare and use it properly. If you have any questions, talk to your health care provider.

If you are taking metoclopramide liquid, use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist what measuring device to use.

Metoclopramide should usually be taken for no longer than 12 weeks. The nasal spray should usually be used for no longer than eight weeks. Talk to your health care provider about how long you should use metoclopramide.

Some people may have side effects, such as headaches, dizziness, or nervousness, after stopping metoclopramide.

What should I tell my health care provider before using metoclopramide?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if metoclopramide is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have or have had any of the following.

Alcohol. Tell your health care provider if you drink alcohol. The risk of certain side effects may increase if you drink alcohol while using metoclopramide.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Metoclopramide may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using metoclopramide, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Metoclopramide may cause harm to a fetus if it is used at the end of pregnancy. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use metoclopramide while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Metoclopramide passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use metoclopramide while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does metoclopramide interact with foods or drinks?

Metoclopramide oral tablet, orally disintegrating tablet, oral liquid, and nasal spray should usually be used 30 minutes before meals. 

Do not drink alcohol while using metoclopramide. The risk of side effects, such as drowsiness or dizziness, may increase if you drink alcohol while using metoclopramide.

Does metoclopramide interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using metoclopramide.

  • An antipsychotic, which is a medicine for certain mental health conditions
  • A medicine for depression or anxiety, such as bupropion (Aplenzin, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, and others), fluoxetine (Prozac), or paroxetine (Paxil) 
  • A monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), which is a medicine usually used for depression or Parkinson’s disease
  • Any other medicine that causes dizziness and sleepiness, such as prescription pain medicines, sleep medicines, or medicines for anxiety
  • A medicine that treats diarrhea
  • An anticholinergic medicine, which includes antihistamines and medicines commonly used for overactive bladder, Parkinson’s disease, or stomach problems
  • Bromocriptine (Cycloset, Parlodel), which is a medicine used to treat Parkinson’s disease, high prolactin levels, and high levels of growth hormone
  • Cabergoline, which is a medicine used to treat high prolactin levels 
  • Levodopa, which is a medicine for Parkinson’s disease
  • A dopamine agonist, such as apomorphine (Apokyn), pramipexole (Mirapex ER), ropinirole, or rotigotine (Neupro), which is a medicine that may be used for Parkinson’s disease or restless legs syndrome (RLS)
  • Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat an irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
  • Atovaquone (Mepron) or posaconazole (Noxafil), which are medicines used to treat certain fungal infections
  • Fosfomycin or tetracycline, which are medicines used to treat certain bacterial infections
  • Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), sirolimus (Rapamune), or tacrolimus (Prograf and others), which are medicines used to help prevent rejection after an organ transplant
  • Insulin, which is a medicine used to help lower blood sugar levels
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol), which is a medicine used for pain or fever
  • A medicine for high blood pressure
  • Quinidine, which is a medicine used to treat malaria or control your heart rate or rhythm 
  • Any other medicine that contains metoclopramide, such as Gimoti or Reglan

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of metoclopramide, and vice versa. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

Metoclopramide may affect the absorption of some other medicines. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with metoclopramide. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much metoclopramide?

If you or someone else has used too much metoclopramide, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of metoclopramide?

Oral Tablet, Orally Disintegrating Tablet, and Oral Liquid. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Nasal Spray. If you are unsure whether the spray has entered your nose, do not use another dose. Use your next dose at your regular scheduled time. If you miss a dose of metoclopramide nasal spray, skip the missed dose and only use the next dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

Injection Liquid. Metoclopramide is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital, clinic, or at your home. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving metoclopramide as scheduled. If you have any questions, contact your health care provider.