Reglan (Metoclopramide)

REGLAN comes as an oral tablet, dissolving tablet, and liquid to take by mouth. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully when taking this medication; don't take more or less of the drug than is prescribed.

If you take the disintegrating tablet, make sure you use dry hands to remove the tablet from the package. If the tablet breaks or crumbles, throw it away and remove a new tablet.

The following are typical dosage schedules:

For GERD: The typical dose of REGLAN for treating symptoms of GERD is 10-15 milligrams (mg), four times daily. Each dose is typically given 30 minutes before a meal.

For gastroparesis: The typical dose of REGLAN for treating gastroparesis is 10 mg, four times daily. Each dose is typically given 30 minutes before a meal and at bedtime.

REGLAN Overdose

If you suspect an overdose, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Missed Dose of REGLAN

If you miss a dose of REGLAN, take it as soon as you remember.

However, if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue on your regular dosing schedule. Don't take extra doses to make up for a missed one.

Common Side Effects of REGLAN

You should tell your doctor if any of the following side effects are severe or don't go away:

• Excessive fatigue
• Drowsiness
• Weakness
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting
• Breast enlargement or discharge
• Decreased sexual ability
• Frequent urination or inability to control urination
• Missed menstrual periods

Serious Side Effects of REGLAN

You should call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following serious side effects:

• Problems with speech
• Tightening of the muscles, especially in the jaw or neck
• Muscle stiffness
• Slow or stiff movements
• Uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
• Depression or thoughts of harming/killing yourself
• Fever
• Confusion
• Agitation
• Slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat
• Sweating
• Restlessness, nervousness, pacing, foot tapping, or jitteriness
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Difficulty with balance
• Rash or hives
• Swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, mouth, throat, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Sudden weight gain
• Vision trouble
• High-pitched sounds while breathing

REGLAN may be used to prevent vomiting in dogs, especially chronic vomiting caused by kidney problems or vomiting after surgery. It can also be used to treat symptoms of acid reflux in dogs.

You should talk to your veterinarian before using this medication for your pet.

REGLAN and Tardive Dyskinesia

Taking REGLAN may increase your risk of developing tardive dyskinesia. Symptoms of this disorder include restlessness and uncontrollable muscle movements in the lips, tongue, eyes, face, arms, or legs.

The risk of developing tardive dyskinesia is higher in older adults, women, patients taking medicines for mental illness, and people with diabetes. Your risk for this condition is also greater if you take REGLAN for a longer period of time. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take REGLAN for longer than 12 weeks.

You should tell your doctor immediately if you experience any uncontrollable body movements including lip smacking, chewing, mouth puckering, frowning, scowling, blinking, sticking out your tongue, eye movements, or shaking arms or legs.

Other REGLAN Warnings

Before taking REGLAN, you should tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

• A blockage, bleeding, or tear in your stomach or intestines
• Seizures
• Pheochromocytoma (a tumor on the small gland near your kidneys)
• Parkinson's disease
• High blood pressure
• Breast cancer
• Asthma
• Depression
• Heart, liver, or kidney disease
• G-6PD deficiency or NADH cytochrome B5 reductase deficiency (inherited blood disorders)

You should continue to take REGLAN even if you feel well. Don't stop taking this medicine without first talking to your doctor.

You should tell your doctor you are taking REGLAN before having any type of surgery, including dental procedures.

If you take REGLAN to relieve gastroparesis, your symptoms will not improve all at once. Your nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite may improve early on, but it may take longer for your feeling of fullness to go away.

Pregnancy and REGLAN

REGLAN is an FDA Pregnancy Category B drug, which means it's not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before taking REGLAN.

The drug can pass into breast milk and may harm a breastfeeding baby. You should talk to your doctor before breastfeeding while taking REGLAN.

You should tell your doctor about all prescription, non-prescription, illegal, recreational, herbal, nutritional, or dietary drugs you're taking, especially:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others)
• Antihistamines
• Aspirin
• Atropine (in Lonox, in Lomotil)
• Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
• Barbiturates such as pentobarbital (Nembutal), phenobarbital (Luminal), and secobarbital (Seconal)
• Digoxin (Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin)
• Haloperidol (Haldol)
• Insulin
• Ipratropium (Atrovent)
• Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
• Levodopa (in Sinemet, in Stalevo)
• Medications for anxiety, blood pressure, irritable bowel disease, motion sickness, nausea, Parkinson's disease, ulcers, or urinary problems
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate)
• Narcotic medications for pain
• Sedatives
• Sleeping pills
• Tetracycline (Bristacycline, Sumycin)
• Tranquilizers

REGLAN and Alcohol

You shouldn't consume alcohol while taking this medication. Drinking alcohol can increase your risk for developing side effects.

REGLAN and Other Interactions

REGLAN may make you drowsy, so avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.