Metoclopramide Syrup

Generic Name: Metoclopramide Syrup (meht-oh-KLOE-pra-mide)
Brand Name: Generic only. No brands available.

Metoclopramide Syrup is used for:

Short term treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in certain patients who do not respond to other therapy. It is used to treat symptoms of a certain digestive problem in diabetic patients (diabetic gastroparesis). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Metoclopramide Syrup is a gastrointestinal stimulant and anti-nauseant. It works by increasing the movement of the stomach and intestines to help move food and acid out of the stomach more quickly. It also works in certain areas in the brain to decrease nausea.

Do NOT use Metoclopramide Syrup if:

• you are allergic to any of the ingredients contained in Metoclopramide Syrup
• you have seizures (eg, epilepsy); bleeding, blockage, or perforation in your stomach or intestines; or tumors on your adrenal gland (pheochromocytoma)
• you are taking cabergoline or pergolide
• you are taking medicines, such as phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), that may cause extrapyramidal reactions (abnormal, involuntary muscle movements of the head, neck, or limbs)

Contact your health care provider as soon as possible if any of the above applies to you.

Consider before using Metoclopramide Syrup

Medical Conditions

There are medical conditions that can influence usage of Metoclopramide Syrup. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the medical conditions below applies to you:

• if you are either pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• if you are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any medicine (either prescription or nonprescription), herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you are allergic to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have depression, asthma, heart failure, high blood pressure, diabetes, Parkinson disease, blood problems (eg, porphyria), kidney problems, or low levels of an enzyme called methemoglobin reductase

Drugs Interaction

There are medicines that may interact with Metoclopramide Syrup. Inform your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, in particular any from the list below:

• Cisapride or droperidol because side effects, such as muscle rigidity, increased heart rate, and altered mental abilities, may occur
• Anticholinergic medicine (eg, hyoscyamine), certain antihistamines (eg, diphenhydramine), or narcotic pain medicines (eg, codeine) because they may decrease Metoclopramide Syrup's effectiveness
• Acetaminophen, alcohol, levodopa, phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), sedatives (eg, zolpidem), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine), succinylcholine, or tetracycline because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Metoclopramide Syrup
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (eg, phenelzine) because the risk of serious side effects (eg, high blood pressure, seizures) may be increased
• Cabergoline, digoxin, or pergolide because their effectiveness may be decreased by Metoclopramide Syrup

This is not a full list of all interactions that may occur. Clarify with your health care provider whether Metoclopramide Syrup may interact with other medicines you take. Also, consult your health care provider in advance if you are going to start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Metoclopramide Syrup Usage Guidelines

You should use Metoclopramide Syrup as recommended by your doctor. Read the medicine's label for precise dosing instructions.

• Take Metoclopramide Syrup by mouth 30 minutes before meals unless directed otherwise by your doctor.
• Use a measuring device marked for medicine dosing. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure of how to measure your dose.
• It may take several days to weeks for Metoclopramide Syrup to work. Do not stop using Metoclopramide Syrup without checking with your doctor.
• If you miss a dose of Metoclopramide Syrup, take it as soon as you get it remembered. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, ignore the missed one and get back to your normal dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.

Clarify with your health care provider any issues you may have about usage of Metoclopramide Syrup.

Important safety information on metoclopramide

• Metoclopramide Syrup may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. There effects may be worsened when this medicine is taken with aclohol or other medicines. Use Metoclopramide Syrup with caution. Refrain from driving or performing other possibly dangerous activities until you know how you react to it.
• Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Metoclopramide Syrup without first checking with your doctor; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• Diabetes patients- Metoclopramide Syrup may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Metoclopramide Syrup. Symptoms may include fever; stiff muscles; confusion; abnormal thinking; fast or irregular heartbeat; and sweating. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.
• Some patients who take Metoclopramide Syrup may develop muscle movements that they cannot control. This is more likely to happen in elderly patients, especially women. The chance that this will happen or that it will become permanent is greater in those who take Metoclopramide Syrup in higher doses or for a long time. Muscle problems may also occur after short-term treatment with low doses. Tell your doctor at once if you have muscle problems with your arms; legs; or your tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (eg, tongue sticking out, puffing of cheeks, mouth puckering, chewing movements) while taking Metoclopramide Syrup.
• Lab tests, including liver and kidney function tests, may be performed while you use Metoclopramide Syrup. These tests can be used to monitor your medical condition or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Metoclopramide Syrup should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 15 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Metoclopramide Syrup while you are pregnant. Metoclopramide Syrup is found in breast milk. If you are breast-feeding or going to breast-feed, discuss with your doctor any possible risks to your baby.

Side effects may be caused by Metoclopramide Syrup

Any medicine may cause side effects, but the majority of people have either slight side effects, or dont have it at all. Consult your doctor if any of the most COMMON side effects from the list below persist or start bothering you:

Decreased energy; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; nausea; restlessness; tiredness; trouble sleeping.

Seek medical care immediately if any of the following SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); abnormal thinking; confusion; dark urine; decreased coordination; decreased sexual ability; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever; hallucinations; loss of bladder control; mental or mood changes (eg, depression, anxiety, agitation, jitteriness); seizures; severe or persistent dizziness, headache, or trouble sleeping; severe or persistent restlessness, including inability to sit still; shortness of breath; stiff or rigid muscles; sudden increased sweating; sudden unusual weight gain; suicidal thoughts or actions; swelling of the arms, legs, or feet; uncontrolled muscle movements (eg, of the arms, legs, tongue, jaw, cheeks; twitching; tremors); vision changes; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

It sholud be noted, that this is not a full list of possible side effects. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) .

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center  or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include agitation; confusion; drowsiness; muscle restlessness; unusual movement of eyes, face, or limbs.
Proper storage of Metoclopramide Syrup:Store Metoclopramide Syrup at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C) in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Metoclopramide Syrup out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions on Metoclopramide Syrup, please consult your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
• Metoclopramide Syrup is supposed to be used only by the patient it is prescribed to. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or even become worse, inform your doctor.

This article is a summary only, and it does not provide all the information about Metoclopramide Syrup. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.