Reglan is used to treat different conditions such as slow gastric emptying in people with diabetes (also called diabetic gastroparesis), heartburn caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease and nausea, vomiting, heartburn, loss of appetite, and a feeling of fullness after meals.
It works by increasing muscle contraction of the upper digestive tract which increases the rate of stomach emptying into the intestine.
If you are about to start Reglan, speak with your doctor about what you need to know.
Allergy
Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any food, preservatives, dyes, or had an allergic reaction when you used this drug before.
Children
There are no adequate studies were done which proves Metoclopramide harmful effects in children, However, safety and efficacy have not been established.
Elderly
This medicine does not cause any different side effects or problem than it does in younger adults. However, it should be used with caution in a patient who has kidney or liver diseases or tardive dyskinesia.
Pregnancy
It is a category B drug. It is safe in pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
Metoclopramide can pass into breast milk and can harm your baby. Do not breast-feed while using it. If you are using it while nursing, discuss the potential risks with your doctor.
Drug Interactions
Metoclopramide may interact with other drugs. Your doctor should be informed of any other medicines which you are taking. He may want to change the dosage or drug. Some of them are listed below:
Proper usage of Reglan requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders. It is given as an injection through a needle into your vein or muscle by a doctor or by a trained health professional. When condition improves, your doctor may switch you to an oral dosage form.
4 Precautions to Take
Before using Reglan, there are some precautions you must take. Your doctor should check your daily progress at regular visits. He may want a blood or urine test to check for unwanted effects.
Metoclopramide may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or light-headedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Metoclopramide with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other medications that are CNS depressants (sedatives, tranquilizers, barbiturates, antihistamines, muscle relaxants or anesthetics) while taking Metoclopramide. It will add to the effects of alcohol and other depressants.
A condition called tardive dyskinesia may develop with the use of Metoclopramide. It is an involuntary and uncontrollable movement.
Inform your doctor if you notice following symptoms such as:
Involuntary movements of the tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (protrusion of tongue, puffing of cheeks, puckering of mouth, chewing movements),
sometimes accompanied by involuntary movements of the arms and legs.
The risk is higher if you take this medicine for more than 12 weeks.
It is also known to cause the neuroleptic malignant syndrome. It symptoms are:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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