In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine
must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you
and your doctor will make. For metoclopramide, the following should be
considered:
AllergiesTell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual
or allergic reaction to metoclopramide, procaine, or procainamide.
Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any
other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
PregnancyNot enough studies have been done in humans to
determine metoclopramide's safety during pregnancy. However,
metoclopramide has not been shown to cause birth defects or other
problems in animal studies.
Breast-feedingMetoclopramide passes into the breast milk
and may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies. Be sure you have
discussed the risks and benefits of the medicine with your doctor.
ChildrenMuscle spasms, especially of jaw, neck, and back,
and tic-like (jerky) movements of head and face may be especially
likely to occur in children, who are usually more sensitive than
adults to the effects of metoclopramide. Premature and full-term
infants may develop blood problems if given high doses of
metoclopramide.
Older adultsShuffling walk and trembling and shaking of
hands may be especially likely to occur in elderly patients after they
have taken metoclopramide over a long time.
Other medicinesAlthough certain medicines should not be
used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be
used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your
doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be
necessary. When you are taking metoclopramide, it is especially
important that your health care professional know if you are taking
the following:
