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Metoclopramide

Nausea and vomiting are symptoms that everyone experiences at some point in their life and that can be associated with multiple conditions such as indigestion, gastroesophageal reflux, bacteria, gastritis, esophagitis and viruses. Suffering from vomiting and frequent bowel movements is a very annoying discomfort that makes most of the people who suffer from it the need to need a drug that acts quickly and effectively, such as metoclopramide .

You’ve probably taken metoclopramide more than once without knowing it. And it is that this unknown word corresponds to the active principle of well-known commercial drugs, such as Primperan, Aeroflat, Suxidin, Triple Antianorex and other generics. This medicine has a dual mechanism of action, it is one of the most prescribed by doctors around the world and is also used for the treatment of diabetic gastroparesis and gastroesophageal reflux. If you want to know more about metoclopramide, what it is and what it is for, we invite you to continue reading this eHealth article carefully.

What is metoclopramide?

Metoclopramide is a drug that is part of the propulsive category, that is, it is indicated for the treatment of gastrointestinal conditions such as nausea and vomiting. Metoclopramide is also often prescribed during the postoperative period of certain surgeries.

Metoclopramide has a double mechanism of action, it acts in the brain by blocking the activation of the vomiting center in the face of stimuli from the blood, substances or the stomach. It also acts on the gastrointestinal tract by increasing stomach and intestinal contractions.

This drug is available in two oral presentations: soluble tablets and solution. Depending on the health status of the person, injected metoclopramide can also be prescribed, however, this presentation can have high-risk side effects that we will explain later. It is advisable to keep this medicine in its packaging, at room temperature, out of the reach of children and free from excess heat or humidity. The recommended dose of this drug will depend on the patient’s condition and the prescription. Self-medicating with metoclopramide can have negative health consequences.

What is metoclopramide for?

Although the function of this medication is to relieve the discomfort of nausea and vomiting, metoclopramide is prescribed mostly for people who suffer from slow emptying of the stomach due to some diseases. Metoclopramide can be taken briefly to alleviate temporary gastric discomfort, but in some cases, such as diabetics, the doctor may order prolonged daily intake of this remedy. Among the diseases that can be treated with metoclopramide we find:

Vomiting and nausea

Metoclopramide may be prescribed to treat these symptoms quickly when a person has viral or bacterial stomach conditions. In these cases, the consumption of the drug does not usually last more than three days.

Diabetic gastroparesis

This condition is caused by an injury to the nerves that directly affects the gastrointestinal system. Diabetics are at increased risk of nerve damage due to constantly high blood glucose levels. When this happens, one of the nerves that control the stomach muscles can be injured, causing severe nausea and a feeling of fullness shortly after starting to eat.

Metoclopramide is prescribed permanently to treat diabetic gastroparesis to regain quality of life and to lessen the discomfort of slow stomach emptying. Diabetic gastroparesis is a condition that has no cure and causes nausea, vomiting, heartburn, heartburn, a feeling of fullness that lasts for a long time, and loss of appetite.

Gastroesophageal reflux

It is a condition that occurs when stomach acids or bile rise up the esophagus to the throat, causing heartburn, burning, coughing and nausea, especially on an empty stomach. This disease is caused by the weakness of the gastric sphincter, a valve that relaxes so that food passes properly into the stomach and then closes. When the sphincter is very weak it remains open and allows the stomach juices to ascend into the throat through the esophagus.

Reducing the portions of food during meals, consuming gastric protector and metoclopramide, not lying down after eating and avoiding the consumption of irritating foods are actions that are part of the treatment of reflux.

Gastritis

Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining caused by bacterial infections, medication use, alcohol consumption, and late eating. Taking care of gastritis correctly is essential to prevent a stomach ulcer and to treat its annoying symptoms, such as nausea, burning in the upper part of the stomach, nausea, vomiting and feeling of fullness shortly after starting to eat. The treatment of gastritis may contemplate the consumption of metoclopramide to relieve nausea and symptoms of slow emptying of the stomach.

Therapeutic indications

Metoclopramide is also often prescribed in the following cases:

  • Nausea and vomiting caused by surgical treatment or medications.
  • Nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy and radiation treatment for cancer.
  • As an adjunct drug to perform a gastrointestinal radiography.
  • To reduce the discomfort caused by an endoscopy.

Precautions before taking metoclopramide

Metoclopramide can interact with other medications or be counterproductive for certain conditions, for this reason it is vital that before taking this remedy you tell your doctor the following:

  • If you are allergic to metoclopramide or have suffered any adverse reaction while taking this medicine.
  • What medications, supplements, vitamins, and herbs you are taking or planning to take.
  • If you have ever had gastrointestinal bleeding or obstruction.
  • If you suffer from Parkinson’s .
  • If you are going to undergo any surgery.
  • If you work driving machinery.
  • If you consume alcohol in excess.
  • If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Side effects of metoclopramide

All medications can cause side effects during their use, and metoclopramide is no exception. Let us know some adverse effects that this medicine can cause and if you suffer any during the intake of this medicine, do not hesitate to call your treating doctor immediately.

  • Allergy that occurs with itching, hives, swelling of the face and extremities, difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, chest pain.
  • Depression or desire to hurt yourself.
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Fainting and seizures.
  • Loss of coordination when walking.
  • Inflammation of the extremities.
  • Muscle stiffness, tremors, or tics.
  • Involuntary movements of the face, neck, eyes, and head.
  • Yellow color of the white part of the eye.
  • Inflammation and discharge from the breasts.
  • Constipation or stomach cramps.
  • Headache.
  • Irregular menstruation.
  • Difficulty to sleep.
  • Problems having sex.
  • Skin rash

Dangers of metoclopramide

Giving injectable metoclopramide can cause a muscle disorder known as tardive dyskinesia, a condition that causes involuntary movements and tremors in the muscles of the face. The tremors or spasms are uncontrollable and unstoppable and may sometimes not go away, even after you stop taking metoclopramide.

People who take metoclopramide for a long time are more likely to suffer from tardive dyskinesia, which is why medical specialists do not recommend taking this drug for more than 12 weeks.

The diabetes , medications for mental illness and be of the female sex in old age are factors that increase the risk of tardive dyskinesia suffering by eating metoclopramide. In case of uncontrollable movements such as licking the lips, frowning, moving the lips, sticking out the tongue, blinking or shaking the legs and arms, it is essential to immediately contact the treating physician and discontinue the use of the drug.

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Hello Readers, I am Nikki Bella a Psychology student. I have always been concerned about human behavior and the mental processes that lead us to act and think the way we do. My collaboration as an editor in the psychology area of ​​Well Being Pole has allowed me to investigate further and expand my knowledge in the field of mental health; I have also acquired great knowledge about physical health and well-being, two fundamental bases that are directly related and are part of all mental health.

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