Reglan

What is Reglan?

Reglan causes muscle contractions to increase in the upper digestive system. This increases the rate of stomach emptying into the intestines, which may reduce nausea.Reglan is prescribed for a period of 4 to 12 weeks in order to treat heartburn that results from gastroesophageal acid reflux and for people who have tried other medications but have not found relief.Reglan can also be used to treat gastroparesis, which is a slow stomach emptying in diabetics that can cause heartburn or stomach discomfort following meals.This medication guide does not list all possible uses of Reglan.

Side effects of Reglan

If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: itching; difficulty breathing; swelling in your face, lips, or throat; or hives, seek emergency medical attention.

If you experience any of the following signs of serious movement disease, they may occur in the first two days of treatment:

• You may experience tremors in your legs or arms.
• Uncontrolled facial muscle movements (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, or tongue movement) or
• Any new or unusual muscular movements that you cannot control

If you experience:

• Confusion, depression, or thoughts of harming yourself or committing suicide
• Slow or jerky muscle movements; problems with walking or balance.
• Mask-like appearance on your face
• A seizure;
• Anxiety; agitation; jittery feelings; difficulty sleeping; inability to stay still.
• Swelling, rapid weight gain or shortness of breath
• Severe reaction of the nervous system: very stiff (rigid muscles), high temperature, sweating and confusion, rapid or uneven heartbeats

Reglan may cause side effects such as:

• Feeling restless
• Feeling tired or drowsy
• Lack of energy
• Nausea, vomiting;
• Headache, confusion,
• Sleep problems (insomnia).

There may be other side effects.Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report adverse effects, you can contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Reglan should not be used if you have ever experienced muscle problems following the use of metoclopramide, similar medications, or a movement disorder known as tardive dyskinesia. This medicine should also not be used if you have had stomach or intestinal issues (a blockage or bleeding or a tear or hole), epilepsy, or any other seizure disorder.Never use metoclopramide in higher doses than recommended or for longer than 12 weeks. A serious movement disorder may result from long-term usage. This movement disorder is more likely to occur the longer you take metoclopramide. This side effect is more common in older women and diabetics.Tell your doctor before taking Reglan if you suffer from kidney or liver problems, congestive cardiac failure, high blood sugar, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, or depression.Avoid alcohol. Alcohol can cause some side effects to be worsened by metoclopramide.Call your doctor immediately if you experience tremors or uncontrolled movements of the muscles, fever, stiffness of the muscles, confusion or sweating, fast heartbeats or irregular breathing, depression, suicidal thoughts or self-harming thoughts, hallucinations or anxiety, agitation, or seizures.

Similar/related drugs

Nurtec ODT, Ubrelvy, Botox, omeprazole, famotidine, hydroxyzine, and pantoprazole

Before you take this drug

Reglan should not be used if:

• The disorder is called tardive dyskinesia.
• Stomach or intestinal problems, such as bleeding, perforation, or blockage;
• Epilepsy or another seizure disorder
• An adrenal gland tumor, or pheochromocytoma
• If you have ever experienced muscle problems after taking metoclopramide or other similar medications,

Inform your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms:

• Liver or kidney disease
• Problems with muscle movement
• Congestive heart failure, or a disorder of the heart rhythm;
• High blood pressure
• Seizures;
• Breast Cancer
• Parkinson's disease;
• Diabetes
• Mental illness or depression

Do not take metoclopramide if you're pregnant.You may not be able to breastfeed your baby if you are taking this medication. You should ask your doctor if there are any risks.Reglan has not been FDA-approved for anyone under the age of 18.

How to take Reglan?

Read all instructions on the label of your medication and follow any directions that are provided. Take the time to read the entire prescription label. Follow the directions on your prescription label.Only 4–12 weeks is the recommended duration of Reglan.Never use Reglan in higher doses than recommended or for longer than 12 weeks. Metoclopramide taken at high doses can cause serious movement disorders that are not always reversible. This movement disorder is more likely to occur the longer you take metoclopramide. This side effect is more common in older women and diabetics.Reglan can be taken at night or 30 minutes before eating. Dosage instructions should be followed very closely.Use only one form of metoclopramide at a time (such as oral syrup and tablets).Store it away from heat and moisture in a container that is tightly closed at room temperature. Keep the bottle tightly shut.You may experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms after stopping Reglan. These include headaches or dizziness.

Details on dosage

Reglan Adult Usual Dose:

Oral: 10-15 mg, up to four times per day, 30 minutes prior to meals and before bedtime, depending on the symptoms treated and the clinical response. The treatment should not last more than 12 weeks.

Reglan Adult Usual Dose:

Oral administration can be started during the first signs of diabetic stasis. If there are severe symptoms, the therapy should start with IM or intravenous administration for 10 days. Once symptoms have subsided, oral therapy can be started. As diabetic gastric statism is often recurrent in nature, therapy should be restarted at the first sign.
Oral: Take 10 mg four times daily for 30 minutes before eating and before bedtime for up to eight weeks, depending on the clinical response.

What happens if I miss the dose?

If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once.

What happens if I overdose?

Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. Overdose symptoms include drowsiness or confusion.

What should be avoided?

Alcohol consumption can have side effects when taken with this medication.Do not drive or engage in hazardous activities until you have determined how the medicine will affect you. It is possible that you are unable to respond properly.Reglan should not be taken with medications that can increase the risk of extrapyramidal reactions (e.g., spasms or muscle contractions).

Interaction with other drug

Reglan can make you more drowsy when taken with other drugs. Before taking an opioid pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, anxiety, depression, or seizure medications, ask your doctor.

Tell your doctor about all medications that you take. Metoclopramide can interact with many drugs, including:

• Cyclosporine (gengraf neoral sandimmune);
• Digoxin (digitalis, lanoxin);
• Glycopyrrolate
• Insulin;
• Levodopa (larodopa, atamet, parcopa, sinemet);
• Mepenzolate (cantil);
• Tetracycline
• Atropine, benztropine, dimenhydrinate, and scopolamine are all examples of scopolamine.
• Medications for bladder or urinary problems such as darifenacin, flavoxate, oxybutynin, and tolterodine
• Blood pressure medication
• Bronchodilators like ipratropium or tiotropium
• Irritable bowel medication such as dicyclomine, hyoscyamine (anaspaz), cystospaz (levsin), and propantheline
• An mao inhibitor, such as furazolidone (furoxone), isocarboxazid, rasagiline, emsam (zelapar), selegiline, eldepryl (eldepryl), tranylcypromine, etc.
• There are many medicines that treat psychiatric disorders. These include chlorpromazine, clozapine, haloperidol, olanzapine, prochlorperazine, risperidone, thiothixene, and others.

Metoclopramide can interact with many drugs. This list isn't complete. These include prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. The list is not exhaustive.