Metoclopramide

About metoclopramide

Metoclopramide is used to relieve feelings of sickness (nausea) or being sick (vomiting). Metoclopramide is often prescribed when the sickness is associated with a surgical operation, a migraine headache, or as a result of radiotherapy or medicines for cancer. It works by helping to move the food in your stomach through your digestive system more quickly. This helps to stop you from feeling sick.

Metoclopramide is also available in combination with painkillers for the management of migraine headache in association with nausea. For more information please see our separate medicine leaflet Aspirin and metoclopramide for migraine (MigraMax).

Before taking metoclopramide

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking metoclopramide it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are under 20 years old, or over 65 years old. (This is because metoclopramide can cause problems in people of these ages.)

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding. Although metoclopramide is not known to be harmful to an unborn baby, you should tell your doctor if you think you could be pregnant.

• If you have any allergies, or have asthma.

• If you have been told you have an irregular heart rhythm.

• If you know you have a problem with your digestive system, such as a blockage or any internal bleeding.

• If you have any problems with your liver or kidneys.

• If you have epilepsy, or have Parkinson's disease.

• If you have a tumour on your adrenal gland, called phaeochromocytoma.

• If you have a rare inherited blood disorder called porphyria.

• If you are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.

How to take metoclopramide

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The leaflet will give you more information about metoclopramide and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take metoclopramide exactly as your doctor has told you to. As a guide, it is usual to take one 10 mg tablet (or 10 ml liquid medicine) three times daily. Your dose may be different from this if you are taking it before an operation or medical examination. The dose will be printed on the label of the pack to remind you what your doctor has prescribed.

• If you are taking metoclopramide as a liquid medicine use an oral syringe to measure your dose accurately.

• Try to take your doses spread out evenly over the day - every eight hours is ideal. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water.

• If you forget to take a dose, take it when you remember, unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

Getting the most from your treatment

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with metoclopramide. This is because metoclopramide can interfere with the way other medicines are absorbed by your body.

• Try to keep any regular appointments with your doctor. Metoclopramide will only be prescribed for a short while (no more than five days) and your doctor may want to check on your progress afterwards.

• If you are having an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking metoclopramide, as it can interfere with some anaesthetics.

• If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor for advice. Your doctor may recommend you do not drink alcohol while you are on metoclopramide, as the side-effects of both the medicine and alcohol can be increased.

Can metoclopramide cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, all medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below lists some of the most common ones associated with metoclopramide. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve over the first few days of taking a new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store metoclopramide

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.

• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines