Do you sometimes feel full without digesting food? Or do you have discomfort such as a burning sensation in the chest or nausea? Metoclopramide is a medicine that doctors sometimes prescribe for such ailments. Today, let's talk about some important facts you need to know about this medicine.
What is this medicine called Metoclopramide used for?
Simply put, metoclopramide is a medicine that helps your digestive system function properly. It is mainly used in two situations.
1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): This is a condition that we all know causes symptoms like heartburn and a sour taste in the throat. Doctors may prescribe this medication if other medications are not able to control the condition.
2. Gastroparesis: This is a condition where food does not empty properly in your stomach and stays in it for a long time. Imagine, you feel full after eating, and this can cause things like nausea and vomiting. This condition is especially likely to occur in people with diabetes.
So, what this medicine does is to help the muscles in your digestive system function properly and move food down the digestive tract more quickly. Then the aforementioned symptoms like bloating, nausea, and heartburn gradually decrease.
Apart from this, the doctor may use this medicine in some other cases as well. Therefore, if you have been prescribed this medicine for any other reason, it is best to ask your doctor or pharmacist about it.
What are the things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine?
Before you start taking this medicine, there are some things you should definitely tell your doctor. This is because some people with certain medical conditions may not be suitable for this medicine, or may require special precautions. See if these things apply to you:
- If you have breast cancer.
- If you are suffering from depression.
- If you have diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus).
- If you are a regular drinker.
- If you have a heart condition such as heart failure.
- If you have high blood pressure.
- If you have kidney disease.
- If you have liver disease.
- If you have Parkinson's disease or other movement disorders.
- If you have a rare tumor called pheochromocytoma.
- If you have had seizures before.
- If you have a condition such as stomach obstruction, bleeding, or perforation.
- If you have an allergic reaction to metoclopramide, procainamide, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother.
If you have any of these things, it 's very important to tell your doctor so he can treat you properly.
How do you use this medicine correctly?
You should take this medicine with a glass of water. You should follow the instructions on the prescription given to you by your doctor exactly.
The most important thing is to take this medicine about 30 minutes before eating, on an empty stomach. That's when the medicine works best.
Take your medication at the prescribed times and at the prescribed intervals. Never take more than the prescribed amount or stop taking the medication suddenly without your doctor's advice. Doing so may cause adverse effects.
When you get this medicine from the pharmacy, with every prescription and when you refill it, they give you a special booklet called a MedGuide. You should read the information in it carefully every time. It contains a lot of important information for you.
If you are giving this medicine to children, you should talk to your doctor about it. It may require special care.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
Please, if you think you have taken too much of this medicine, call a poison control center or emergency room immediately.
Another thing, this medicine is for you only. Don't share it with anyone else, okay?
What do you do if you miss a medication appointment?
If you forget to take a dose, skip it. Take the next dose at the usual time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
What other things can interact with this medicine? (Interactions)
Some things can "interact" with this medicine. That is, they can affect each other. So it's very important to tell your doctor about everything you're taking. Check to see if you're taking any of these things:
- Alcohol
- Types of antihistamines for allergies, coughs, and colds
- Atovaquone
- Atropine
- Bupropion
- Some medications for anxiety or sleep
- Some medications for bladder problems (e.g., Oxybutynin, Tolterodine)
- Some medications for depression or other mental illnesses
- Some medications used for Parkinson's disease
- Some medications used for seizures (e.g., phenobarbital, primidone)
- Some medications for stomach problems (e.g., dicyclomine, hyoscyamine)
- Some medications used to treat motion sickness (e.g., Scopolamine)
- Cyclosporine
- Digoxin
- Fosfomycin `(Fosfomycin)`
- Anesthesia medications (e.g., Halothane, Isoflurane)
- Insulin and other medications for diabetes
- Ipratropium
- MAOIs (e.g. Carbex, Eldepryl)
- Medicines given to relax muscles during surgery
- Opioid painkiller medication
- Paroxetine
- Phenothiazines (e.g., chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine)
- Posaconazole `(Posaconazole)`
- Quinidine
- Sirolimus
- Tacrolimus
This list may not be comprehensive. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medications you take (prescribed, over-the-counter, herbal products, vitamins), as well as if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use other drugs. Some things can interact with this medicine.
What are the things to be careful about when using this medicine?
It may take a few weeks for your stomach pain to get better. However, do not take this medicine for more than 12 weeks. The longer you take this medicine, and the higher the dose, the more likely you are to have serious side effects. You are especially at risk of side effects from this medicine if you are over 65 years old, if you are a woman, or if you have diabetes .
If you experience uncontrollable movements while taking this medicine (such as lip smacking, tongue moving here and there, uncontrolled movements of the eyes, head, or limbs, or muscle twitching or twitching), this is called extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) . If you experience any of these, you should tell your doctor immediately .
Also, if you or your family members notice that your depression is getting worse, you are having suicidal thoughts, or you are suddenly experiencing a major change in your mood (e.g., feeling anxious all the time, getting angry easily, feeling restless, having trouble sleeping), especially when you first start taking the medication or after changing the dosage, tell your doctor.
If you have a high fever, don't try to treat it yourself. Seek advice from your doctor.
You may feel drowsy or dizzy while taking this medicine. Therefore, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything that requires alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up suddenly, especially if you are elderly. This will reduce the risk of dizziness and falls. Drinking alcohol can make this drowsiness and dizziness worse. Therefore, avoid drinking alcohol.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine? (Side Effects)
Like all medications, this one can have some side effects. Some are serious, some are not so serious.
Side effects that you should tell your doctor immediately:
If you experience any of these symptoms, tell your doctor as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions: skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome may include: high fever, muscle stiffness, excessive sweating, fast or irregular heartbeat, and confusion.
- Symptoms of elevated prolactin levels: Unwanted breast growth, nipple discharge, changes in sexual desire or function, and irregular menstrual cycles in women.
- Increased blood pressure.
- Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet.
- Thoughts of suicide or harming yourself, worsening of mental status, feelings of depression.
- Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS): Symptoms such as uncontrollable and repetitive body movements, muscle stiffness or twitching, tremors, loss of balance, restlessness, and dragging of the feet when walking.
Side effects that usually do not require medical advice (but should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome):
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Difficulty falling asleep
This list may not include all side effects. If you notice anything unusual, ask your doctor about it.
How do you keep this medicine safe?
Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets .
Store at room temperature (20 to 25 degrees Celsius, 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit), protected from light, and keep the bottle tightly closed in an airtight container. Throw away any expired medicine.
Some things that I think are important for you (Take-Home Message)
Metoclopramide is a medicine that can help with some of your digestive problems. However, there are some things you need to be careful about when using it.
- Always take your medicine exactly as your doctor tells you. Follow the dosage, time, and duration of your treatment exactly.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any other illnesses you have and any other medications you are taking.
- Be aware of side effects. Especially if you experience the previously mentioned uncontrollable movements (EPS) or mental changes, tell your doctor immediately.
- Avoid alcohol completely while taking this medicine.
- Do not use this medicine continuously for more than 12 weeks, unless specifically directed by your doctor.
If you have any further questions about this medicine, please do not hesitate to ask your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare provider. Your health is very important to you!
` Metoclopramide, gastroparesis, reflux, chest inflammation, nausea, side effects, drug information
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