Metoclopramide

What is metoclopramide?

Metoclopramide is a medicine that increases the movements of the stomach and intestines. This medicine is used to treat or prevent reflux, and to relieve symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and continued feelings of fullness after meals and loss of appetite. It may also improve feeding problems and spitting up. Metoclopramide may be used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by other medicines.

Metoclopramide comes in a tablet, liquid, and injection (given by needle).

Before giving metoclopramide to your child

Your child should not take metoclopramide if they have had any unusual or allergic reaction to metoclopramide or an ingredient in the formulation.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions. Precautions may need to be taken with this medicine if your child has:

• seizures
• pheochromocytoma (tumour in adrenal gland)
• gastrointestinal bleeding
• hole or blockage in the gastrointestinal tract

How should you give your child metoclopramide?

• Give your child this medicine exactly as your child's doctor or pharmacist tells you to.
• Give the medicine at the same time every day, unless your child's doctor tells you otherwise.
• If your child is taking liquid medicine, measure liquid doses carefully. Use an oral syringe or medicine spoon provided by your pharmacist.

When metoclopramide is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by other medicines (such as cancer medicines), a nurse may give the medicine by a needle into your child's vein. Usually your child will get this medicine in the hospital clinic or nursing unit.

What should you do if your child misses a dose of metoclopramide?

• Give the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose.
• Give the next dose at the regular time.
• Do not give your child 2 doses to make up for 1 missed dose.

What are the possible side effects of metoclopramide?

Your child may have some of these side effects while they take metoclopramide. Check with your child's doctor if your child continues to have any of these side effects and they do not go away, or if they bother your child:

• dizziness
• drowsiness
• restlessness
• tiredness
• sleeping more than usual; babies may not wake up for feeding
• watery bowel movements (diarrhea)
• trouble having a bowel movement (constipation)

Call your child's doctor during office hours if your child has any of these side effects:

• inability to sleep
• unusual dryness in the mouth
• unusual irritability
• monthly periods of bleeding (in girls) that are not normal, such as, periods that are shorter than usual or at a different time of the month
• pain or swelling of breasts (in boys or girls)

Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. Call your child's doctor right away or take your child to Emergency if your child has any of these side effects:

• muscle spasms (especially of the head, face, and neck)
• trembling and shaking of the hands
• jerky movements of arms, legs, or eyes
• changes in mood or behaviour
• skin rash, hives, itching
• shortness of breath
• swelling of hands, feet, or face

What safety measures should you take when your child is using metoclopramide?

This medicine may make your child dizzy, drowsy, or less alert than normal. Watch carefully when your child is doing something that they need to be alert for, such as climbing stairs.

Check with your child's doctor or pharmacist before you give your child any other medicines, even medicines that you can buy without a doctor's order (prescription).

There are some medicines that should not be taken together with metoclopramide, or in some cases the dose of metoclopramide or the other medicine may need to be adjusted. It is important that you tell your doctor and pharmacist if your child takes any other medicines (prescription, over the counter, or herbal) including:

• narcotics (pain medicines)
• phenobarbital
• sedatives (medicines that cause drowsiness and slow your child's actions)
• procainamide
• antipsychotics (medicines used to treat mental disorders)

What other important information should you know about metoclopramide?

• Make sure you always have enough metoclopramide to last through weekends, holidays, and vacations. Call your pharmacy at least 2 days before your child runs out of medicine to order refills.
• Keep metoclopramide (both liquid and tablets) at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Do NOT store it in the bathroom or kitchen.
• Do not share your child's medicine with others and do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.
• Do not keep any medicines that are out of date. Check with your pharmacist about the best way to throw away outdated or leftover medicines.
• Keep a list of all medicines your child is on and show the list to the doctor or pharmacist.
  

Keep metoclopramide out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much metoclopramide, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.