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
(tumor 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 behavior
- 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.
Overdose
information
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 the Ontario Poison
Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free.