💉 Metoclopramide Injection 5 mg/mL – As Licensed
📄 Description:
Metoclopramide is a dopamine (D2) receptor antagonist used primarily for its antiemetic and prokinetic effects. In injectable form, it is used in settings where oral administration is not feasible or in emergency situations like chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
🧾 Prescription / Indications:
Prescribed for the prevention and treatment of:
- Nausea and vomiting (postoperative, chemotherapy, radiotherapy)
- Migraine-associated nausea
- Gastroparesis (particularly diabetic)
- Reflux esophagitis
- As pre-medication before anesthesia or surgery
Typical Adult Dose:
- IV or IM: 10 mg up to 3 times/day
- Can be given slow IV over at least 1–2 minutes
- Dose adjusted based on indication and patient weight
🔬 Nature:
- Pharmacological Class: Antiemetic, Gastroprokinetic
- Form: Injection
- Strength: 5 mg/mL
- Route: Intravenous (IV) / Intramuscular (IM)
🌟 Advantages:
- Fast-acting relief from nausea and vomiting
- Useful in acute care settings
- Improves gastric motility where needed
- Enhances absorption of oral medications during migraines
📦 Packaging:
- Ampoules or vials: typically 2 mL (10 mg) per ampoule
- Box contains 5 or 10 ampoules, depending on the brand
🧊 Storage:
- Store below 25°C, protected from light
- Do not freeze
- Use immediately once opened
- Keep out of reach of children
⚠️ Precautions:
- Contraindications:
- Children <1 year of age
- Known hypersensitivity to metoclopramide
- Epilepsy or risk of seizures
- Parkinson’s disease
- GI obstruction, perforation, or bleeding
- History of tardive dyskinesia
- Caution in:
- Elderly
- Patients on antipsychotics, due to risk of extrapyramidal symptoms
- Renal or hepatic impairment (dose adjustment needed)
Possible Side Effects:
- Drowsiness, fatigue
- Restlessness or agitation
- Extrapyramidal symptoms (dystonia, facial spasms, tremors)
- Diarrhea
👩⚕️ Patient Advice:
- Should be administered only under medical supervision
- Inform provider if you have a history of movement disorders or seizures
- Report immediately if you experience uncontrolled muscle movements
- Avoid driving or operating machinery if drowsy
- Not for long-term use — usually limited to a few days