Metoclopramide

About Metoclopramide

This belongs to the group of medicines known as dopamine antagonists.

Metoclopramide is used to relieve sickness.

Sickness can be caused by stomach or intestinal disorders, migraine headaches and can also be a side effect of taking other medicines. Metoclopramide can be used to treat these symptoms in all cases.

Metoclopramide is available in tablet, oral liquid and injection form. It is also available as a modified release preparation, which means Metoclopramide is released slowly over the day to give a better effect.

Brands available are: Gastrobid Continus; Maxolon; Maxolon SR. You may notice the use of any of these names on the packaging of your medicine.

Before Taking Metoclopramide

Before taking Metoclopramide make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• if you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding
• if you are under 20 years of age
• if you suffer from liver or kidney problems
• if you suffer from epilepsy, porphyria (a blood disorder) or phaeochromocytoma (a growth affecting the adrenal glands)
• if you are so constipated that you feel there may be a blockage, if you have had surgery on your bowels within the last four days, if you have noticed that your stools have been blackened or bloody
• if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine
• if you are taking any other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines

How to Take Metoclopramide

• Always read the manufacturer’s information leaflet, if possible, before beginning treatment.
• Take Metoclopramide exactly as directed by your doctor.
• If you have been supplied the modified release tablets or capsules they should be swallowed whole, not crushed or chewed with a glass of water. If you are unsure whether your medicine is a modified release preparation ask your pharmacist to advise you.
• Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of Metoclopramide contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
• This medicine is for you. Never give it to others even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Before taking any ‘over-the-counter’ medicines, check with your pharmacist which medicines are safe to take alongside Metoclopramide.
• Metoclopramide can cause drowsiness. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert.
• Metoclopramide is not usually prescribed for anyone under 20 years of age except for treating severe sickness where the cause of the sickness is known and for treating sickness caused by cancer treatment.

Can Metoclopramide cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Twitching or trembling of the muscles in the face, body and eyes, discharge from the nipples, drowsiness, a need to keep moving, diarrhoea, mood changes, skin rashes, oedema (swollen limbs).

You should also tell your doctor or pharmacist if you experience any other side effects not mentioned in this leaflet.

How to store Metoclopramide

• Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
• Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Either discard them safely out of the reach of children or take them to your local pharmacist who will dispose of unwanted medicines for you.

© EMIS and Cegedim Pharmacy Services Ltd 2005   Updated: 23/03/2005