Perinorm Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Perinorm Tablet contains metoclopramide, a medicine that helps control nausea, vomiting, and indigestion by improving the movement of food through the stomach and intestines. It is used for conditions such as chemotherapy-related nausea, acid reflux, and diabetic gastroparesis. It works by acting on the brain's nausea-control center and by increasing stomach and intestinal movement.

What is Perinorm Tablet

Perinorm Tablet contains metoclopramide, a medicine that helps control nausea, vomiting, and indigestion by improving the movement of food through the stomach and intestines.

Perinorm Tablet uses

• Nausea and vomiting caused by cancer medicines (chemotherapy), radiotherapy, or surgery
• Heartburn caused by acid reflux disease when other medicines do not work well enough
• Nausea, vomiting, and stomach discomfort/fullness in diabetic patients with gastroparesis (poor stomach emptying)
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Indigestion and bloating from delayed stomach emptying
• Nausea related to migraine

Benefits of Perinorm Tablet

• Reduces the flow of stomach contents back into the food pipe
• Prevents the feeling of fullness during or right after meals
• Helps food pass smoothly from the stomach into the intestines, reducing bloating and discomfort

How Perinorm Tablet works

Perinorm works in two ways: it acts on a nausea-control area of the brain to reduce feelings of sickness and vomiting, and it also increases the movement and tone of the stomach and intestines so food passes through more smoothly, easing indigestion and heartburn.

Perinorm Tablet dosage

Take the tablet about 30 minutes before food, on an empty stomach. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water; do not crush or chew it. Take it exactly as your doctor has prescribed and do not take more than the recommended amount. Do not stop taking this medicine without speaking to your doctor first. It is usually taken for a limited period, about 4 to 12 weeks, or for the shortest time necessary. If you experience restlessness or drowsiness, taking the dose at bedtime may help lessen these effects. This medicine is not recommended for children under 18 years of age. Older patients should use this medicine only under medical supervision, as they may be more sensitive to its effects.

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet
• Capsule
• Syrup
• Injection
• Drops

Side effects of Perinorm Tablet

Common

• Diarrhoea
• Sleepiness/drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Stomach pain
• Headache
• Restlessness
• Fatigue and weakness
• Shaking
• Stiffness
• Low blood pressure
• Slow heartbeat
• Mild stomach discomfort

Serious

• Muscle pain or weakness
• Skin rash
• Irregular heartbeat
• Difficulty in breathing
• Unusual muscle movements
• Hallucinations

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use this medicine if you have stomach or intestinal problems such as blockage, bleeding, or a tear, since increasing gut movement could be harmful in these conditions. 
• This medicine is not recommended for people with seizure disorders, as it may worsen seizures. It should not be used in people with pheochromocytoma (a tumor of the adrenal gland), as it can raise the risk of a dangerous spike in blood pressure.
• A serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), with fever, muscle stiffness, involuntary movements, and confusion, can occur. Use this medicine cautiously if you've had NMS before, and stop it immediately if NMS occurs. This medicine may worsen depression, with or without a prior history. If you have thoughts of self-harm, sadness, or withdrawal from others, stop the medicine and get medical help.
• This medicine can raise blood pressure, so people with high blood pressure should use it cautiously and have their blood pressure checked regularly during treatment. 
• Muscle spasms of the face, neck, body, arms, and legs can occur, especially in children and adults under 30, usually within the first two days of use. Long-term use should be avoided in people with tardive dyskinesia (a condition of uncontrollable face and body movements) unless the benefit clearly outweighs the risk. Use with caution in people with Parkinsonism, as it may worsen symptoms like tremors and difficulty with movement. 
• This medicine is not recommended for children under 18 years old.
• This medicine is not recommended in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy unless your doctor tells you to use it. After delivery, mothers have a higher risk of depression, so it should be avoided in women with a history of depression. Tell your doctor right away about any mood changes or unusual movements.
• This medicine can pass into breast milk, so it is generally not recommended while breastfeeding. If it is used, watch the baby for stomach discomfort or gas.
• The kidneys help clear this medicine from the body, so people with reduced kidney function may need a lower dose to prevent the medicine building up.
• This medicine is generally considered safe for people with liver disease, but tell your doctor about any existing liver condition before starting it.
• Drinking alcohol with this medicine is not recommended because it can increase drowsiness and affect judgment, thinking, and coordination. Do not drive or operate machinery if you combine alcohol with this medicine.
• This medicine may cause blurred vision, dizziness, or drowsiness in some people. Do not drive or operate machinery if you notice these effects.

Storage

• Store Perinorm Tablet at room temperature, ideally below 25°C.
• Keep the medicine in a dry place, protected from light and moisture.
• Ensure it's stored where children and pets cannot reach it.
• Always check the expiry date before taking the medicine.
• Store Below 30° C

When to see a doctor

Get medical help right away if you notice signs of an allergic reaction, such as skin rash, itching or swelling (especially of the face, tongue, or throat), severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you think you or someone else has taken too much of this medicine, get emergency medical help or contact a doctor right away. If side effects do not improve or become serious, speak to your doctor right away.

Alternatives

• Ondansetron
• Prochlorperazine
• Granisetron