metoclopramide

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

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Feb 16, 2017 | Posted by in PHARMACY | Comments Off on metoclopramide

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