metoclopramide hydrochloride anhydrous at a glance
Medicine class
Antiemetic and gastrointestinal prokinetic.
Available forms
The selected products are an oral solution and a solution for injection.
Food
The oral medicine can be taken with or without food.
Driving
Do not drive or use machinery if it causes sleepiness, dizziness, visual disturbance or poor concentration.
What is metoclopramide hydrochloride anhydrous used for?
The selected products are licensed for particular causes of nausea and vomiting:
In adults: symptomatic nausea and vomiting, including that associated with acute migraine.
In adults: prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by radiotherapy.
With the oral solution: prevention of delayed nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy.
With the injection: prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting.
In children aged 1–18 years: second-line prevention of delayed chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting.
With the injection in children aged 1–18 years: second-line treatment of established postoperative nausea and vomiting.
How does metoclopramide hydrochloride anhydrous work?
Metoclopramide blocks dopamine D2 receptors in brain pathways involved in vomiting. It also affects serotonin receptors and enhances cholinergic activity in the gut, helping the stomach empty and improving coordinated movement through the upper digestive tract.
metoclopramide hydrochloride anhydrous preparations and strengths
Oral solution
Route: Oral
Strengths: 5 mg/5 mL
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 5 mg/mL
How to take metoclopramide hydrochloride anhydrous
Follow the instructions provided by the prescriber or pharmacist.
The oral solution may be taken with or without food.
Measure liquid with the supplied oral syringe or a proper medicine measure, not a kitchen teaspoon.
The injection is administered intravenously or intramuscularly by a healthcare professional.
Intravenous administration should be given slowly to reduce adverse effects.
metoclopramide hydrochloride anhydrous side effects
Common or expected effects
- Sleepiness or reduced energy
- Diarrhoea
- Dizziness or faintness
- Restlessness
- Low mood
Get urgent medical advice
- Unusual or uncontrolled eye, face, neck or limb movements
- Seizure
- Severe allergic reaction
- Marked rigidity, fever and confusion, which may indicate neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- Fainting, a very slow heartbeat or other serious cardiac symptoms, particularly after injection
metoclopramide hydrochloride anhydrous in pregnancy
Available pregnancy data are generally reassuring, and metoclopramide can be used when clinically needed. The selected SmPCs advise avoiding it near the end of pregnancy where possible because newborn movement-related effects cannot be excluded; prescriber review is appropriate.
metoclopramide hydrochloride anhydrous while breastfeeding
Metoclopramide enters breast milk in small amounts. Cautious short-term use may be possible when nursing a healthy, full-term infant, with monitoring for sleepiness, feeding difficulty, gastrointestinal effects or unusual movements. The selected product SmPCs are more restrictive, so the product and individual circumstances require prescriber assessment.
metoclopramide hydrochloride anhydrous interactions
Important interactions include:
Levodopa and dopamine agonists
The medicines oppose each other's effects; concurrent use is contraindicated.
Alcohol and sedating medicines
These can increase sleepiness and impaired alertness.
Common questions about metoclopramide hydrochloride anhydrous
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
How quickly does metoclopramide start working?
Oral metoclopramide usually begins working within about 30 to 60 minutes. Injectable treatment may act sooner.
Can metoclopramide be taken with food?
Yes. The oral medicine can be taken with or without food.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.