Reglan Oral

Uses

This medication is used to treat certain conditions of the stomach and intestines. Metoclopramide is used as a short-term treatment (4 to 12 weeks) for persistent heartburn when the usual medicines do not work well enough. It is used mostly for heartburn that occurs after a meal or during the daytime. Treating persistent heartburn can decrease the damage done by stomach acid to the swallowing tube (esophagus) and help healing. Metoclopramide is also used in diabetic patients who have poor emptying of their stomachs (gastroparesis). Treating gastroparesis can decrease symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and stomach/abdominal fullness. Metoclopramide belongs to a class of drugs known as dopamine receptor antagonists. It works by increasing stomach emptying and movement of the upper intestines.

Metoclopramide should not be used in children because of increased severe side effects.

OTHER USES:
This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

This drug may also be used in higher doses for nausea/vomiting from chemotherapy or radiation treatments for cancer.

How to use Reglan Oral

Take this medication by mouth 30 minutes before meals and at bedtime, usually 4 times daily or exactly as directed by your doctor. If you are using the liquid form, use a medication measuring device to carefully measure the prescribed dose. Do not use a household spoon.

Dosage is based on your age, kidney and liver function, medical condition, and response to treatment.

Do not take this more often or in larger doses than prescribed by your doctor. According to the manufacturer, treatment should not exceed 12 weeks.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times before a meal each day.

Rarely, a withdrawal reaction (e.g., dizziness, nervousness, headaches) may occur if you suddenly stop this drug. To prevent withdrawal reactions when stopping extended, regular treatment with this drug, gradually reduce the dosage as directed. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens during the first week of treatment.

Before taking metoclopramide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: bleeding/blockage/hole in the intestines/stomach, pheochromocytoma, seizures, porphyria.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney problems, heart rhythm problems, Parkinson's disease, severe liver problems (e.g., cirrhosis), chronic heart failure, a certain blood enzyme problems (NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase deficiency), diabetes.

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Use caution while driving, using machinery, or doing any activity that requires alertness. Limit alcoholic beverages.

Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially drowsiness, confusion, mask-like facial expression, shuffling walk, drooling, uncontrolled shaking of the hands, twitching in the face, muscle spasm/weakness, trouble swallowing, and uncontrollable movements of the mouth/face/hands.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

This drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

NOTES:

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., endoscopy for ulcer) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

MISSED DOSE:

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE:

Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Drowsiness, headache, and tiredness may occur. Less common side effects include problems sleeping, dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, and diarrhea. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, depression, thoughts of suicide, hallucinations, anxiety, agitation), decreased sexual ability, feelings of restlessness/agitation/jitteriness, mask-like facial expression, shuffling walk, drooling, uncontrolled shaking of the hands, twitching in the face, muscle spasms, weakness, trouble swallowing, uncontrollable movements of the mouth/face/hands, unusual nipple discharge, enlarged/tender breasts, unusual fluid retention (swelling), changes in menstruation in women, vision changes, slow or fast irregular heartbeat, fainting, increase in urination, inability to hold urine (incontinence).

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: signs of serious infection (e.g., high fever, persistent sore throat, severe chills), signs of liver problems (e.g., persistent nausea/vomiting, severe tiredness, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, severe stomach/abdominal pain).

This drug may infrequently cause a serious (sometimes fatal) nervous system problem (neuroleptic malignant syndrome). Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following rare but very serious side effects: fever, rigid muscles, increased sweating, fast heartbeat, mental/mood changes, change in the amount of urine.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

These reactions are more common if you have asthma.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.

This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: pramlintide, cabergoline, pergolide.

Some medications may block the actions of metoclopramide. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are also taking anticholinergic drugs (e.g., antihistamines such as diphenhydramine, benztropine, scopolamine, among others).

If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting metoclopramide.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you use any other prescription and nonprescription products that cause drowsiness such as certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (e.g., methocarbamol), narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine, risperidone, trazodone).

Since metoclopramide increases stomach emptying, drugs that are absorbed from the stomach may not be absorbed as well (e.g., digoxin). Drugs absorbed from the intestines may have increased absorption (e.g., acetaminophen, levodopa, cyclosporine, alcohol, tetracycline).

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.