Uses
Metoclopramide injection is used to relieve symptoms caused by slow stomach emptying in people who have diabetes. These symptoms include nausea, vomiting, heartburn, loss of appetite, and feeling of fullness that lasts long after meals. Metoclopramide injection is also used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy or that may occur after surgery. This injection is also sometimes used to empty the intestines during certain medical procedures. Metoclopramide injection is in a class of medications called prokinetic agents. It works by speeding the movement of food through the stomach and intestines.
Side Effects Of Metoclopramide Injection
Metoclopramide injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- drowsiness
- excessive tiredness
- weakness
- headache
- dizziness
- restlessness
- nervousness or jitteriness
- agitation
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- pacing
- foot-tapping
- slow or stiff movements
- blank facial expression
- diarrhea
- nausea
- breast enlargement or discharge
- missed menstrual period
- decreased sexual ability
- frequent urination
- urinary incontinence
- flushing
Some side effects of metoclopramide injection can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
- tightening of the muscles, especially in the jaw or neck
- speech problems
- depression
- thinking about harming or killing yourself
- fever
- muscle stiffness
- confusion
- fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
- sweating
- seizures
- rash
- hives
- swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, mouth, throat, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- high-pitched sounds while breathing
- vision problems
Metoclopramide injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before receiving metoclopramide injection:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to metoclopramide injection, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in the injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take with metoclopramide injection. Be sure to mention any of the following: acetaminophen (Tylenol, others); antihistamines; digoxin (Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin); cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); insulin; ipratropium (Atrovent); levodopa (in Sinemet, in Stalevo); medications for irritable bowel disease, motion sickness, Parkinson’s disease, ulcers, or urinary problems; monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate); narcotic medications for pain; sedatives; sleeping pills; tetracycline (Bristacycline, Sumycin); tranquilizers. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you more carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had blockage or bleeding in your stomach or intestines, pheochromocytoma (tumor on a small gland near the kidneys); or seizures. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take metoclopramide injection.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had Parkinson’s disease (PD; a disorder of the nervous system that causes difficulties with movement, muscle control, and balance); high blood pressure; depression; breast cancer; asthma;glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6PD) deficiency (an inherited blood disorder); NADH cytochrome B5 reductase deficiency (an inherited blood disorder); or heart, liver, or kidney disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while receiving the injection, call your doctor.
- talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of receiving metoclopramide injection if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not usually receive metoclopramide injection unless it is used to treat slow stomach emptying, because it is not as safe or effective as other medications that can be used to treat those conditions.
- you should know that metoclopramide injection may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
- ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are receiving metoclopramide injection. Alcohol can make the side effects of metoclopramide injection worse.
Dosage Of Metoclopramide Injection
Metoclopramide injection comes as a liquid to be injected into a muscle or into a vein. When the injection is used to treat slowed stomach emptying due to diabetes, it may be given up to four times a day. When metoclopramide injection is used to prevent nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, it is usually given 30 minutes before the chemotherapy, then once every 2 hours for two doses, then once every 3 hours for three doses.
Metoclopramide injection is also sometimes given during surgery. If you are injecting the injection at home, inject it at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use metoclopramide injection exactly as directed. Do not inject more or less of it or inject it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else use your metoclopramide injection. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information on metoclopramide injection has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
