Metoclopramide Injectable: Dosing and Precautions

Therapeutic action

Antiemetic (dopamine antagonist).

Indications

Prevention or symptomatic treatment of nausea and vomiting in adults.

Forms and strengths, route of administration

Do not exceed the recommended dose and duration of treatment because of the risk of serious neurological adverse effects.

• 10 mg in 2 ml ampoule (5 mg/ml) for IM injection or slow IV injection over 3 to 5 minutes.

Dose

• Adult: 10 mg every 8 hours if necessary.

Duration

Change to oral treatment as soon as possible.

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

• Do not administer to children under 18 years or to patients with gastrointestinal haemorrhage, obstruction, or perforation.
• Reduce the dose by half in patients with severe renal impairment.
• Administer with caution and monitor use in patients older than 60 years and patients with epilepsy or Parkinson's disease.
• May cause drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, extrapyramidal symptoms, seizures, allergic reactions, hypotension, bradycardia, cardiac arrest, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
• Do not combine with levodopa.
• Avoid combination with CNS depressants and antihypertensive drugs due to increased risk of hypotension.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: no contra-indication.
• For postoperative nausea and vomiting in adults, efficacy is limited and ondansetron is preferred.