Metoclopramide is a medication primarily used to treat several gastrointestinal conditions and symptoms, including:
- Nausea and vomiting caused by various conditions such as chemotherapy, radiation sickness, infections, pregnancy (including severe nausea known as hyperemesis gravidarum), labor, and certain surgeries.
- Gastroparesis, a condition where the stomach empties slowly, especially in diabetic patients. It helps by increasing muscle contractions in the upper digestive tract to speed up stomach emptying.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) when other treatments have failed, by relieving heartburn and healing ulcers or sores in the esophagus.
- It's also used for migraines as an adjunct, sometimes combined with painkillers.
- Metoclopramide may be used in medical procedures involving the stomach or intestines to speed up gastric emptying and reduce vomiting.
Additionally, it has some off-label uses such as management of radiation- induced nausea, intractable hiccups, and increasing breast milk production, though evidence for some uses is limited or not clear. It works by blocking a chemical in the brain that causes nausea and vomiting and increasing the movement of the stomach and intestines. Metoclopramide is usually prescribed for short-term use due to the risk of side effects like tardive dyskinesia, a movement disorder, especially with prolonged use beyond 12 weeks. In summary, metoclopramide is widely used for relieving nausea, vomiting, gastroparesis, and GERD symptoms, and as an adjunct for migraine and certain medical procedures.
