Reglan® (Metoclopramide) Uses, Dosage, and Safety

What Metoclopramide Is and How It Works

Metoclopramide is a prescription prokinetic and antiemetic. It treats diabetic gastroparesis, nausea and vomiting, and symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is the generic for brand products such as Reglan and, in Canada, Maxeran. Forms include an oral metoclopramide tablet, a metoclopramide pill in 5 mg and 10 mg strengths, and a metoclopramide liquid solution.

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Metoclopramide’s action blocks dopamine D2 receptors in the gut and the brain’s chemoreceptor trigger zone. This increases lower esophageal sphincter tone, speeds gastric emptying, and reduces nausea signals. The result supports reflux symptom control and relief of nausea and vomiting. This metoclopramide classification explains why it also helps some migraine patients as an adjunct to pain therapy.

Typical metoclopramide indications include short-term treatment of diabetic gastroparesis and refractory GERD. Clinicians may also use it off-label for migraine-associated nausea and persistent hiccups. Ask your prescriber about the right metoclopramide use for your situation.

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Dosage and Usage

• Common adult dosing for diabetic gastroparesis: metoclopramide 10mg by mouth 30 minutes before each meal and at bedtime for 2–8 weeks.
• Reflux symptom relief: 10–15 mg by mouth up to four times daily, 30 minutes before meals and at bedtime, for up to 12 weeks.
• Elderly or sensitive patients may start at 5 mg to reduce adverse effects.
• Renal impairment requires lower or less frequent dosing. Prescribers adjust based on kidney function.
• For migraine adjunct, an oral 10 mg dose may help nausea and improve absorption of analgesics.
• For persistent hiccups, clinicians sometimes use 10 mg by mouth three to four times daily (off-label).
• Use the lowest effective dose and avoid therapy beyond 12 weeks because of tardive dyskinesia risk.
• Missed dose: take when remembered unless it is close to the next dose. Do not double doses.
• Swallow tablets with water. Take metoclopramide oral doses 30 minutes before meals for best effect.
• Metoclopramide HCl 10 mg and 5 mg strengths are common; both tablet and liquid are available.

• Storage: keep tablets at 15–25°C (59–77°F) in a dry place, away from light.
• Keep in the original container or a labeled pill organizer.
• Do not store in a bathroom. Avoid humidity.
• For travel, carry your medicine in a carry-on bag with your prescription label.
• Avoid heat in cars. Do not freeze the liquid.
• If using a weekly organizer, refill carefully and check remaining supply before trips. Reorder early.

Benefits and Savings

Metoclopramide can reduce nausea and vomiting and speed gastric emptying in diabetic gastroparesis. It also increases lower esophageal sphincter tone, which may ease heartburn symptoms in selected GERD patients. Oral dosing is straightforward, and both 5 mg and 10 mg strengths allow simple titration.

Buying generic metoclopramide can lower monthly costs. Many people save 60–80% compared to typical US prices when purchasing at Canadian pharmacy pricing. Multi-month supplies may reduce your per-month cost further. You can also set reorder reminders so you do not run out.

The metoclopramide brand name equivalents include Reglan and Maxeran; the metoclopramide trade name varies by country. If you have questions about metoclopramide price or metoclopramide cost, check the product page for current options and pack sizes.

Side Effects and Safety

• Drowsiness or fatigue
• Restlessness, agitation, or insomnia
• Headache or dizziness
• Diarrhea or, less often, constipation
• Dry mouth
• Extrapyramidal symptoms (muscle stiffness, tremor)
• Increased prolactin (breast symptoms possible)

Serious risks include tardive dyskinesia (sometimes irreversible), acute dystonia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, depression or suicidal thoughts, and rare allergic reactions. Risk rises with higher doses and longer use. Metoclopramide is contraindicated with suspected bowel obstruction, perforation, or GI bleeding; pheochromocytoma; history of tardive dyskinesia; and seizure disorders. Use caution in Parkinson’s disease.

Metoclopramide does not directly lower blood sugar. But faster gastric emptying can shift glucose absorption timing. Those using insulin or sulfonylureas may need closer glucose monitoring to avoid hypoglycemia as meal timing and absorption change. Discuss adjustments with a clinician.

Drug interactions can occur with antipsychotics (additive extrapyramidal effects), MAO inhibitors or catecholamines (hypertensive reactions), opioids (opposing GI effects), and serotonergic drugs (rare serotonin syndrome). Metoclopramide may alter absorption of other oral medicines by changing gut motility.

Onset Time

For nausea, the metoclopramide oral tablet often starts to help within 30–60 minutes. Gastroparesis symptoms such as early satiety, fullness, or vomiting may improve over several days as dosing is established. Reflux-related symptoms may improve within days to weeks. As a migraine adjunct, relief of nausea may occur within one hour, while benefit to pain control depends on the companion analgesic.

Compare With Alternatives

Ondansetron is a selective 5-HT3 antagonist that treats nausea and vomiting without prokinetic effects. It can be used when the metoclopramide alternative needs to avoid dopamine blockade, but it does not speed gastric emptying.

Domperidone is a peripheral dopamine antagonist with fewer central nervous system effects. It is not widely available in the United States and has its own cardiac risks. Erythromycin, a motilin agonist, is another prokinetic option but may lose effect over time and has more drug interactions.

For migraine management, triptans such as sumatriptan target pain, while metoclopramide helps nausea and absorption. CGRP therapies offer newer options. Preventive therapy like Qulipta® can reduce monthly migraine days, while acute treatment like Ubrelvy® treats attacks without vasoconstriction.

There is no true metoclopramide over the counter alternative for gastroparesis. OTC options such as ginger, bismuth subsalicylate, or meclizine may help certain types of nausea, but they do not replicate metoclopramide’s prokinetic effect.

Combination Therapy

• With proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers for refractory GERD symptoms.
• With ondansetron or prochlorperazine when stronger antiemetic regimens are required.
• With triptans or NSAIDs for migraine, to improve nausea and pain-medicine absorption.
• With insulin in diabetic gastroparesis; monitor glucose closely and consider dose timing changes.
• Avoid combining with antipsychotics when possible to reduce extrapyramidal risk.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Good candidates include adults with documented diabetic gastroparesis or symptomatic reflux not controlled by acid suppression alone. Short courses for nausea and vomiting may be considered when benefits outweigh risks. The metoclopramide indications and duration should be individualized and kept as short as possible.

Those who should not use metoclopramide include patients with suspected bowel obstruction, perforation, or bleeding; history of tardive dyskinesia; pheochromocytoma; epilepsy; or an allergy to the drug. Use caution in Parkinson’s disease and in older adults due to higher extrapyramidal risk.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding require individualized assessment. Pediatric use carries greater risk of dystonia. People with kidney impairment need dose reductions.

To manage metoclopramide cost, compare pack sizes and strengths. Multi-month supplies and occasional bulk promotions can lower the per-month price. You can set simple reorder reminders so you do not miss doses. If you are comparing metoclopramide price to a metoclopramide brand name product, generic metoclopramide for sale usually offers the best value.

If dosage flexibility is needed, metoclopramide liquid can help fine-tune doses. Strengths such as metoclopramide 5 and metoclopramide hcl 10 mg tablets support stepwise titration.

Authoritative Sources

FDA Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for Reglan (metoclopramide)

Health Canada Product Monograph for Maxeran (metoclopramide)

Reglan Brand Information

Order Metoclopramide from Youdrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express, cold-chain handling.

This information is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified health professional about medications and dosing.