Brand Name

Reglan {Alaven Pharmaceuticals, Inc.}

Generic Name

metoclopramide, pronounced MET oh KLOE pra mide

What is Reglan?

Reglan is effective as a short-term treatment for heartburn caused by gastroesophageal reflux in patients who have used other medications and not experienced symptom relief. Reglan works by increasing muscle contractions in your upper digestive tract, which speeds up the rate at which your stomach empties into your intestines.

Reglan may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Reglan

Reglan should not be used for longer than a 12 week period, or in larger amounts than prescribed.

Reglan is in FDA pregnancy category B. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while you are being treated with Reglan, as we do not yet know if Reglan may affect your unborn baby. We do know that Reglan passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not use Reglan without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

If Reglan is taken at either high doses or long-term it may lead to an increased risk of a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. Symptoms of this disorder can include uncontrollable muscle movements of your lips, tongue, eyes, face, arms, or legs. The risk of this potential side effect is higher in women, older adults and people with diabetes.

Alcohol consumption may increase your risk of side effects of Reglan. You should not drink while taking Reglan.

You should be careful when driving or doing anything that requires you to be alert while taking Reglan, as this medication can impair your thinking or reaction time.

Before You Take Reglan

You should not take Reglan if you are allergic to metoclopramide.

You should not take Reglan if you have you have bleeding or blockage in your stomach or intestines, an adrenal gland tumor , called a pheochromocytoma, or epilepsy.

Tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, Parkinson’s disease, or a history of depression

Let your doctor know if you have a perforation or hole in your stomach or intestines, breast cancer or a heart rhythm disorder before starting treatment with Reglan.

You should stop using Reglan and immediately and call your doctor if you have tremors or uncontrolled muscle movements, fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, rapid breathing, a depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself, hallucinations, anxiety, agitation, seizures or jaundice.

Reglan Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• atropine (Donnatal)
• benztropine (Cogentin)
• bladder or urinary medications like darifenacin (Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), tolterodine (Detrol) and solifenacin (Vesicare)
• blood pressure medications
• bronchodilators like ipratroprium (Atrovent) and tiotropium (Spiriva)
• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
• digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin)
• dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
• glycopyrrolate (Robinul)
• insulin
• irritable bowel medications like dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin), and propantheline (Pro-Banthine)
• levodopa (Larodopa, Atamet, Parcopa, Sinemet)
• MAO inhibitors like furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate)
• mepenzolate (Cantil)
• methscopolamine (Pamine)
• psychiatric disorder medications like chlorpromazine (Thorazine), clozapine (Clozaril, FazaClo), haloperidol (Haldol), olanzapine (Zyprexa, Symbyax), prochlorperazine (Compazine), risperidone (Risperdal) and thiothixene (Navane)
• scopolamine (Transderm-Scop)
• tetracycline (Ala-Tet, Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Reglan. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Reglan

Take Reglan exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take Reglan in larger or smaller amounts, or for shorter or longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label. If you take Reglan at a high dose or for too long you have an increased risk of developing a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. Symptoms of this disorder can include uncontrollable muscle movements of your lips, tongue, eyes, face, arms, or legs.

You should take Reglan 30 minutes before eating. Reglan is typically prescribed to be taken before meals and at bedtime. Your doctor may want you to take the medication as needed, and only with meals that usually cause you heartburn.

Do not take two forms of Reglan together, such as the tablet and oral solution.

Use a special dose-measuring spoon or cup to administer Reglan liquid. Do not use a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device your pharmacist can give one to you.

You may experience unpleasant side effects when you stop taking Reglan. These withdrawal symptoms can include headaches, dizziness and nervousness. Ask your doctor about how you can avoid or minimize withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking Reglan.

Reglan should be stored at room temperature, and away from both moisture and heat. Keep the cap on your medication bottle closed tightly.

If you miss a dose of Reglan you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

Reglan Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Reglan and seek emergency medical help immediately:

*Stop taking Reglan immediately and call your doctor at once if you have any of these extremely serious symptoms, which may occur within the first 2 days of treatment:

• shaking or tremors in your arms and legs
• new or unusual muscle movements you cannot control
• uncontrolled muscle movements in your face, such as chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movements
• Other serious reactions that require you to contact your doctor immediately include:
• agitation with a jittery feeling, and trouble staying still
• allergic reaction including breathing difficulties, hives, and swelling of your mouth, nose or throat
• anxiety and hallucinations
• depressed mood or thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself
• jaundice, or a yellowing of your skin and eyes
• mask-like appearance in your face
• problems with balance or walking
• seizures or convulsions
• shortness of breath
• slow or jerky muscle movements
• stiff muscles, along with a high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors and a feeling like you might pass out
• swelling with rapid weight gain

Less serious side effects of Reglan may include:

• breast tenderness or swelling
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• headache
• insomnia
• menstrual period changes
• nausea
• restless feeling
• tiredness
• vomiting
• urination that is more than usual

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Reglan. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Reglan Description and Dosing

Reglan is available in the U.S. in dosage forms of syrup, solution, tablets and orally disintegrating tablets. There is also an injection form of Reglan which is given in a hospital setting to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy and surgery.

Reglan is available in 5 mg tablets, which are green, elliptical and oval.

There are 10 mg tablets available which are white, scored and capsule-shaped.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Reglan you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Reglan

Reglan has the active ingredient metoclopramide. Inactive ingredients include aspartame, colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, magnesium stearate, mannitol, aminoalkyl methacrylate copolymer, microcrystalline cellulose, natural and artificial orange flavor and povidone.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

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