Class
- Antiemetic, GI stimulant, antipsychotic
Metoclopramide
Commonly Prescribed for
(FDA approved in bold)
- Diabetic gastroparesis
- Nausea and vomiting (postoperative, chemotherapy)
- Small bowel intubation
- Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux
- Migraine
- Tics in Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS)
Metoclopramide
How the Drug Works
- Dopamine receptor antagonism (specifically D2) decreases nausea. It may also increase absorption of coadministered drugs. May stimulate GI motility by sensitizing tissues to the actions of acetylcholine or from 5-HT4 receptor agonism
Metoclopramide
How Long Until It Works
- 30–60 minutes with oral dose for nausea. Gastroparesis improves maximally by 3 weeks
Metoclopramide
If It Works
- Use at lowest effective dose
- Continue to assess effect of the medication and if it is still needed
Metoclopramide
If It Doesn’t Work
- Increase dose, or discontinue and change to another agent
- Migraine: change to another antiemetic (prochlorperazine, droperidol, chlorpromazine) or combine with other agents
- Gastroparesis: domperidone (where available) is an alternative. Smaller, more frequent meals with low fat and fiber might improve symptoms
Metoclopramide
Best Augmenting Combos for Partial Response or Treatment-Resistance
- Migraine: often combined with NSAIDs and triptans or ergots. Usually not used as monotherapy
- Gastroparesis: may be combined with erythromycin, Botulinum toxin, electrical gastric stimulation
Metoclopramide
Tests
- None required
Adverse Effects (AEs)
Metoclopramide
How Drug Causes AEs
- Motor AEs and prolactinemia – blocking of D2 receptors
Metoclopramide
Notable AEs
- Most common: Sedation, CNS depression
- Fluid retention, bradycardia or superventricular tachycardia, hypo- or hypertension, rash, galactorrhea, urinary frequency or incontinence
- Akathisia, parkinsonism (bradykinesia, tremor, rigidity), acute dystonic reactions
Metoclopramide
Life-Threatening or Dangerous AEs
- Tardive dyskinesias
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (rare)
- Hepatotoxicity (rare)
Metoclopramide
Weight Gain
- Unusual
Metoclopramide
Sedation
- Not unusual
Metoclopramide
What to Do About AEs
- Excessive sedation: lower dose or use only as a rescue agent when patient can lie down or sleep
- Movement disorders: lower dose or stop
Metoclopramide
Best Augmenting Agents for AEs
- Give fluids to avoid hypotension, tachycardia, and dizziness
- Give anticholinergics (diphenhydramine or benztropine) or benzodiazepines for extrapyramidal reactions