Reglan

Pronunciation: MET-oh-KLOE-pra-mide
Generic Name: Metoclopramide
Brand Name: Reglan

Reglan may cause a serious movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia, which may be permanent. The risk may be increased in patients who use high doses or who take Reglan for a long period of time. The risk may also be increased in the elderly, women, and diabetic patients. Tell your doctor right away if you develop muscle problems with your arms; legs; or your tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (eg, tongue sticking out, puffing of cheeks, mouth puckering, chewing movements).

Reglan should usually not be used for longer than 12 weeks.

Reglan 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.

Reglan is a gastrointestinal stimulant and antinauseant. 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 Reglan if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Reglan


• 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). Check with your doctor if you are unsure if any of your medicines may cause extrapyramidal reactions.

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Reglan:

Some medical conditions may interact with Reglan. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have a history of mental or mood problems (eg, depression) or suicidal thoughts or actions


• if you have a history of asthma, heart failure, high blood pressure, diabetes, Parkinson disease, blood problems (eg, porphyria), kidney problems, liver problems (eg, cirrhosis), breast cancer, or low levels of an enzyme called methemoglobin reductase


• if you are taking another form of metoclopramide (eg, syrup, orally disintegrating tablet)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Reglan. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (eg, phenelzine) because the risk of serious side effects (eg, high blood pressure, seizures) may be increased


• Anticholinergic medicine (eg, hyoscyamine) or narcotic pain medicines (eg, codeine) because they may decrease Reglan's effectiveness


• Acetaminophen, benzodiazepines (eg, diazepam), cyclosporine, insulin, 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 Reglan


• Cabergoline, digoxin, or pergolide because their effectiveness may be decreased by Reglan

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Reglan may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Reglan:

Use Reglan as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Reglan comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Reglan refilled.


• Take Reglan by mouth 30 minutes before meals unless directed otherwise by your doctor.


• It may take several days to weeks for Reglan to work. Do not stop taking Reglan without checking with your doctor.


• If you miss a dose of Reglan, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Reglan.

Important safety information:

• Reglan may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Reglan with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks 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 Reglan 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.


• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use Reglan for longer than 12 weeks without checking with your doctor.


• Diabetes patients - Reglan may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Reglan before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Reglan. 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 Reglan 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 Reglan 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 Reglan.


• Patients who take Reglan may be at increased risk for new or worsening mental or mood changes (eg, depression) or suicidal thoughts or actions. Watch patients who take Reglan closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.


• Reglan may increase the amount of a certain hormone (prolactin) in your blood. Symptoms may include enlarged breasts, missed menstrual period, decreased sexual ability, or nipple discharge. Contact your doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms.


• Lab tests, including liver and kidney function tests, may be performed while you use Reglan. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Reglan with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially drowsiness, confusion, and uncontrolled muscle movements, including tardive dyskinesia.


• Reglan should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed. The risk of developing uncontrolled muscle movements may be greater in children.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Reglan while you are pregnant. Reglan is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Reglan, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

A small number of patients have experienced WITHDRAWAL symptoms when stopping Reglan. These symptoms may include dizziness, nervousness, and headache.

Possible side effects of Reglan:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

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

Seek medical attention right away if any of these 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 balance or 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 spasms or movements (eg, of the arms, legs, tongue, jaw, cheeks; twitching; tremors); vision changes; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Reglan side effects (in more detail)

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 the eyes, face, or limbs.

Proper storage of Reglan:

Store Reglan 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 Reglan out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Reglan, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Reglan is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Reglan. 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.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Reglan resources

• Reglan Side Effects (in more detail)
• Reglan Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Reglan Drug Interactions
• Reglan Support Group
• 39 Reviews for Reglan - Add your own review/rating

• Reglan Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Reglan Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Reglan Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Reglan Consumer Overview


• Metoclopramide Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Metozolv ODT Consumer Overview


• Metozolv ODT Prescribing Information (FDA)

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