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

Quick overview

Reglan Tablet (metoclopramide hydrochloride) is a prescription GI stimulant and antiemetic that speeds up stomach emptying into the intestines. It is used for short-term treatment of heartburn from gastroesophageal reflux disease that has not responded to other treatments, and for relieving symptoms of slow stomach emptying (gastroparesis) in adults with diabetes. It works by blocking dopamine, which increases movement in the upper digestive tract. Use should not exceed the time periods recommended by your doctor due to the risk of a serious movement disorder.

What is Reglan Tablet

Reglan is a prescription tablet containing metoclopramide, a medicine that increases muscle contractions in the upper digestive tract. It speeds up how fast the stomach empties into the intestines.

Reglan Tablet uses

• Short-term treatment (4 to 12 weeks) of heartburn caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults who have not responded to other treatments
• Relief of symptoms of slow stomach emptying (gastroparesis) in adults with diabetes

Benefits of Reglan Tablet

• May relieve heartburn symptoms from gastroesophageal reflux when other treatments have not worked
• May reduce nausea, vomiting, and stomach fullness caused by diabetic gastroparesis by helping the stomach empty faster

How Reglan Tablet works

Reglan works by blocking a natural substance called dopamine. This speeds up stomach emptying and movement of the upper intestines.

Reglan Tablet dosage

Take Reglan exactly as your healthcare provider tells you and do not change your dose unless told to. Take each dose at least 30 minutes before a meal and at bedtime. If heartburn only happens at certain times, your doctor may have you take a single dose before those times instead of throughout the day.

Do not take Reglan for more than 12 weeks unless your doctor is closely monitoring you for signs of a serious movement disorder. Do not use two different forms of metoclopramide (such as tablets and oral syrup) at the same time. Keep all follow-up visits with your healthcare provider so they can check how you are responding to treatment.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for your next dose; do not take two doses at once. If you stop taking Reglan suddenly, you may notice withdrawal symptoms such as headache, dizziness, or nervousness.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet

Side effects of Reglan Tablet

Common

• Restlessness
• Drowsiness
• Tiredness/fatigue
• Lack of energy
• Nausea
• Headache
• Confusion
• Sleep problems (insomnia)
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Nervousness

Serious

• Tardive dyskinesia (uncontrollable muscle movements of the face, tongue, or other body parts) that may not go away even after stopping the medicine
• Other movement problems such as muscle spasms (dystonia), Parkinson's-like symptoms, or akathisia (inability to sit still, restlessness, jitteriness)
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS): high fever, stiff muscles, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeat, increased sweating
• Depression, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, or suicide
• High blood pressure
• Fluid retention: sudden weight gain, swelling of hands, legs, or feet, especially in people with liver problems or heart failure
• Increased prolactin levels: menstrual periods stopping, breast enlargement or milk production, or impotence
• Serious allergic reactions: swelling of tongue, throat, lips, eyes, or face; trouble swallowing or breathing; skin rash, hives, sores in mouth, or skin blisters

Warnings and precautions

• Reglan can cause a potentially irreversible and serious condition called tardive dyskinesia, involving uncontrollable movements, often of the face or tongue. This risk increases with longer use and higher doses.
• People treating heartburn from gastroesophageal reflux should not take Reglan for more than 12 weeks.
• People treating slow stomach emptying from diabetes should also not take Reglan for more than 12 weeks unless their doctor closely monitors them for tardive dyskinesia symptoms.
• Do not take Reglan if you have a history of tardive dyskinesia, certain stomach or intestinal problems, a tumor called pheochromocytoma, epilepsy, or an allergy to metoclopramide.
• Reglan can cause a rare but serious and potentially fatal condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).
• Reglan is not recommended for use in children due to increased risk of serious movement-related side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Reglan may harm an unborn baby if taken near the end of pregnancy, and metoclopramide can cross the placenta and cause extrapyramidal signs or methemoglobinemia in newborns if taken during delivery.
• Reglan can pass into breast milk and may harm the baby. You and your healthcare provider should decide together whether you will take Reglan or breastfeed.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease. People with reduced kidney function may need a lower dose because the body clears the medicine more slowly, which can raise the risk of side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver disease. People with moderate or severe liver impairment may need a lower dose because the medicine is cleared from the body more slowly.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking Reglan, as it can make some side effects, such as sleepiness, worse.
• Do not drive, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how Reglan affects you, because it can cause drowsiness or dizziness.

Storage

• Store REGLAN at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C)
• Keep REGLAN in the bottle it comes in and away from light. Keep the bottle closed tightly
• Keep REGLAN and all medicines out of the reach of children

When to see a doctor

• Stop taking Reglan and call your healthcare provider right away if you notice movements you cannot stop or control, such as lip smacking, chewing, frowning, tongue movements, blinking, eye movements, or shaking arms and legs.
• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of your tongue, throat, lips, eyes, or face, trouble swallowing or breathing, skin rash, hives, mouth sores, or skin blisters.
• Seek medical help immediately if you feel depressed or have thoughts of hurting or killing yourself.
• Get medical help right away if you have high fever, stiff muscles, problems thinking, a very fast or uneven heartbeat, and increased sweating, which may be signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
• If you take too much Reglan, seek emergency medical attention or contact your local poison control center right away.

Alternatives

• Famotidine
• Erythromycin
• Prochlorperazine
• Ondansetron
• Domperidone