Metoclopramide is an anti-sickness medicine (known as an antiemetic). It's used to help stop you feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting) including:
- after radiotherapy or chemotherapy (treatment for cancer)
- sickness you may get with a migraine
- if you've had an operation
- at the end of life (palliative care)
Metoclopramide comes as tablets or a liquid that you swallow. It can also be given as an injection, but this is usually given in hospital or by a member of a care team visiting you at home.
It is only available with a prescription.
For migraines, you can also get metoclopramide combined with a painkiller with a prescription.
- You'll usually only take metoclopramide for a short time (up to 5 days).
- The most common side effects are feeling sleepy (drowsy) and diarrhoea
- Avoid drinking alcohol with metoclopramide. It will make you feel more sleepy.
- Brand names for combination migraine treatments include Migramax (metoclopramide with aspirin), and Paramax (metoclopramide with paracetamol).
Metoclopramide can be taken by most adults and children aged 1 year and over.
Metoclopramide is not suitable for some people. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:
- have had an allergic reaction to metoclopramide or any other medicines in the past
- have ever had bleeding from your stomach or intestines
- have kidney or liver problems
- have a slow heart beat (bradycardia)
- have a tumour on your adrenal gland
- have a rare inherited blood disorder such as porphyria, methaemoglobinemia, or NADH cytochrome-b5 deficiency
- have ever had involuntary muscle spasms when taking medicines such as metoclopramide or antipsychotics
- have Parkinson's disease, or epilepsy, or a history of fits or seizures
- are trying to get pregnant, you're already pregnant or if you're breastfeeding
If you or your child has been prescribed metoclopramide, follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
You can take metoclopramide with or without food.
Swallow the tablets whole, with a drink of water.
For the liquid, use the plastic syringe or medicine spoon that comes with your medicine to help you measure out the right dose. If you do not have one, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount.
How much to take
Doses can vary, depending on why you need metoclopramide. Always follow your doctor's instructions.
The usual adult dose is 10mg, taken up to 3 times a day. Your doctor may recommend a dose of up to 30mg, if needed.
Doses are lower for adults who weigh less than 60kg, and for people with a liver or kidney problem.
If your child is prescribed metoclopramide, the doctor will use your child's age and weight to work out the right dose.
Try to spread your doses evenly over 24 hours. If you take it 3 times a day, then take a dose every 8 hours.
Wait at least 6 hours between each dose, even if you are sick (vomit). This is to avoid a possible overdose.
What if I forget to take it?
If you forget to take a dose of metoclopramide, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.
Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.
If you forget doses often, it might help to set an alarm to remind you.
What if I take too much?
Taking 1 extra dose of metoclopramide is unlikely to be harmful, however, taking more than this can be dangerous.
Call 999 or go to A&E now if:
- you take 2 or more extra doses of metoclopramide, even if you feel well
- you get muscle spasms, shaking, tremor, drowsiness, confusion or hallucinations (seeing things that are not there).
Do not drive yourself. Take the metoclopramide box or leaflet inside the packet plus any remaining medicine with you.
Like all medicines, metoclopramide can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
These common side effects happen in more than 1 in 100 people. These are usually mild and go away by themselves.
Keep taking the medicine, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away:
- feeling sleepy and a lack of energy
- low mood
- feeling dizzy or faint – this could be a sign of low blood pressure
- diarrhoea
Serious side effects
Some people may have serious side effects when taking metoclopramide, but these are rare.
Stop taking metoclopramide and tell your doctor if:
- your muscles or eyes start moving in an unusual or uncontrolled way
- you have had a seizure or fit (this side effect can happen if you have epilepsy)
Serious allergic reaction
In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to metoclopramide.
Call 999 or go to A&E if:
- you get a skin rash that may include itchy, red, swollen, blistered or peeling skin
- you're wheezing
- you get tightness in the chest or throat
- you have trouble breathing or talking
- your mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat start swelling
You could be having a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
These are not all the side effects of metoclopramide. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.
You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme.
What to do about:
- feeling sleepy and a lack of energy – do not drive or use tools or machinery. Do not drink alcohol, as it will make you feel more tired. If these symptoms get worse or last longer than a few days, talk to your doctor.
- low mood – this should pass after a couple of days but if it does not, speak to your doctor as you may need a different type of anti-sickness medicine.
- feeling dizzy or faint (low blood pressure) – this should get better after a few days as your body gets used to the medicine. Do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery. Sit or lie down until the symptoms get better. Do not drink alcohol, as this can make the symptoms worse. Speak to your doctor if the problem does not go away after a couple of days or gets worse.
- diarrhoea (with high doses of metoclopramide) – drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
There's no evidence that metoclopramide will harm your unborn baby. However, for safety it's best to take it for the shortest possible time and at the lowest dose that works for you.
There are other treatments for morning sickness that your doctor will try first. However, they may prescribe metoclopramide if these other treatments do not work.
Read about treating morning sickness on the Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy (BUMPS) website.
Metoclopramide and breastfeeding
Metoclopramide passes into breast milk in small amounts.
If your baby was premature, had a low birth weight or has health problems, speak to your doctor before taking any anti-sickness medicine when breastfeeding.
If you take metoclopramide while breastfeeding and notice your baby is not feeding as well as usual, seems unusually sleepy, or you have any other concerns about your baby, talk to a health visitor or doctor as soon as possible.
Tell your doctor if you’re:
- trying to get pregnant
- pregnant
- breastfeeding
Some medicines and metoclopramide interfere with each other. This can increase your chance of having side effects.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking:
- medicines for Parkinson's disease, such as levodopa
- medicines that make you sleepy (drowsy) including diazepam and amitriptyline
- any other anti-sickness medicines (antiemetics)
Mixing metoclopramide with herbal remedies
Some herbal remedies can make your side effects worse. Speak to a pharmacist before taking any herbal supplements.
Important
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.