Metoclopramide

What it is used for

Metoclopramide is a prescription medicine used:

• in adults for 4 to 12 weeks to relieve heartburn symptoms with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) when certain other treatments do not work. Metoclopramide relieves daytime heartburn and heartburn after meals. It also helps ulcers in the esophagus to heal.
• to relieve symptoms of slow stomach emptying in people with diabetes. Metoclopramide helps treat symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, heartburn, feeling full long after a meal, and loss of appetite. Not all these symptoms get better at the same time.

It is not known if Metoclopramide is safe and works in children.

The most important thing to know

Metoclopramide can cause serious side effects, including:

Tardive dyskinesia (abnormal muscle movements). These movements happen mostly in the face muscles. You can not control these movements. They may not go away even after stopping Metoclopramide. There is no treatment for tardive dyskinesia, but symptoms may lessen or go away over time after you stop taking Metoclopramide.

Your chances for getting tardive dyskinesia go up:

• the longer you take Metoclopramide and the more Metoclopramide you take. You should not take Metoclopramide for more than 12 weeks.
• if you are older, especially if you are a woman
• if you have diabetes

It is not possible for your doctor to know if you will get tardive dyskinesia if you take Metoclopramide.

Call your doctor right away if you get movements you can not stop or control, such as:

• lip smacking, chewing, or puckering up your mouth
• frowning or scowling
• sticking out your tongue
• blinking and moving your eyes
• shaking of your arms and legs

See the section “What are the possible side effects of Metoclopramide?” for more information about side effects.

How to take it

• Take Metoclopramide exactly as your doctor tells you. Do not change your dose unless your doctor tells you.
• You should not take Metoclopramide for more than 12 weeks.
• If you take too much Metoclopramide, call your doctor or Poison Control Center right away.

Side effects, and when to stop

Metoclopramide can cause serious side effects, including:

• Tardive dyskinesia (abnormal muscle movements).
• Uncontrolled spasms of your face and neck muscles, or muscles of your body, arms, and legs (dystonia). These muscle spasms can cause abnormal movements and body positions. These spasms usually start within the first 2 days of treatment. These spasms happen more often in children and adults under age 30.
• Depression, thoughts about suicide, and suicide. Some people who take Metoclopramide become depressed. You may have thoughts about hurting or killing yourself. Some people who take Metoclopramide have ended their own lives (suicide).
• Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS). NMS is a very rare but very serious condition that can happen with Metoclopramide. NMS can cause death and must be treated in a hospital. Symptoms of NMS include: high fever, stiff muscles, problems thinking, very fast or uneven heartbeat, and increased sweating.
• Parkinsonism. Symptoms include slight shaking, body stiffness, trouble moving or keeping your balance. If you already have Parkinson’s disease, your symptoms may become worse while you are receiving Metoclopramide.

Call your doctor and get medical help right away if you:

• feel depressed or have thoughts about hurting or killing yourself
• have high fever, stiff muscles, problems thinking, very fast or uneven heartbeat, and increased sweating
• have muscle movements you can not stop or control
• have muscle movements that are new or unusual

Common side effects of Metoclopramide include:

• feeling restless, sleepy, tired, dizzy, or exhausted
• headache
• confusion
• trouble sleeping

You may have more side effects the longer you take Metoclopramide and the more Metoclopramide you take. You may still have side effects after stopping Metoclopramide. You may have symptoms from stopping (withdrawal) Metoclopramide such as headaches, and feeling dizzy or nervous.

Tell your doctor about any side effects that bother you or do not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of Metoclopramide.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Who should not take it

Do not take Metoclopramide if you:

• have stomach or intestine problems that could get worse with Metoclopramide, such as bleeding, blockage or a tear in the stomach or bowel wall
• have an adrenal gland tumor called a pheochromocytoma
• are allergic to Metoclopramide or anything in it. See the end of this Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients in Metoclopramide.
• take medicines that can cause uncontrolled movements, such as medicines for mental illness
• have seizures

This product contains FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine) which may cause allergic-type reactions (including bronchial asthma) in certain susceptible persons. Although the overall incidence of FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine) sensitivity in the general population is low, it is frequently seen in patients who also have aspirin hypersensitivity.

What to say before you start

Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you have:

• depression
• Parkinson’s disease
• high blood pressure
• kidney problems. Your doctor may start with a lower dose.
• liver problems or heart failure. Metoclopramide may cause your body to hold fluids.
• diabetes. Your dose of insulin may need to be changed.
• breast cancer
• you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Metoclopramide will harm your unborn baby.
• you are breast-feeding. Metoclopramide can pass into breast milk and may harm your baby. Talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take Metoclopramide.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Metoclopramide and some other medicines may interact with each other and may not work as well, or cause possible side effects. Do not start any new medicines while taking Metoclopramide until you talk with your doctor.

Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• another medicine that contains Metoclopramide, such as REGLAN tablets or REGLAN ODT.
• a blood pressure medicine
• a medicine for depression, especially a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI)
• insulin
• a medicine that can make you sleepy, such as anti-anxiety medicine, sleep medicines, and narcotics.

If you are not sure if your medicine is one listed above, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them and show it to your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

What to avoid

• Do not drink alcohol while taking Metoclopramide. Alcohol may make some side effects of Metoclopramide worse, such as feeling sleepy.
• Do not drive, work with machines, or do dangerous tasks until you know how Metoclopramide affects you. Metoclopramide may cause sleepiness.

Storing it

• Store Metoclopramide at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
• Protect from freezing.

Keep Metoclopramide and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about Metoclopramide Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use Metoclopramide for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Metoclopramide to other people even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them.

This Medication Guide summarizes the most important information about Metoclopramide. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about Metoclopramide that is written for healthcare professionals. For more information about the drug product go to www.anipharmaceuticals.com or call toll free at 1-800-308-6755. For more information about the packaging or labeling, call American Health Packaging at 1‐800‐707‐4621.