Metoclon Injection 10mg Injection

Metoclopramide is an anti-sickness (antiemetic) medicine. It acts on the part of the brain that triggers feeling sick (nausea) and being sick (vomiting).

In adults, the injection is used to:

• prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery
• treat nausea and vomiting, including during a migraine
• prevent nausea and vomiting caused by radiotherapy

In children aged 1 to 18 it is only used when other treatments do not work or cannot be used, for delayed sickness after chemotherapy or sickness after surgery.

A doctor or nurse gives metoclopramide as a slow injection into a vein (over at least 3 minutes) or into a muscle.

• It is meant for short-term use only. In children, treatment is limited to 2 to 5 days depending on the reason.
• Your dose may be lower if you have kidney or liver problems.
• Do not drink alcohol while having it – it adds to the drowsiness.

Common side effects include:

• feeling drowsy
• feeling restless, weak or low in mood
• shaking or stiffness
• low blood pressure (especially when given into a vein)
• diarrhoea

Get medical help straight away if…

• you have uncontrollable movements, often of the head, neck, eyes or tongue – more likely in children and young adults
• you get a high fever, sweating, high blood pressure, fits or lots of saliva (signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome)
• you feel faint, have an irregular heartbeat, or signs of a serious allergic reaction

You should not have it if you have epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, a blockage, tear or bleeding in the stomach or gut, a tumour of the adrenal gland (phaeochromocytoma), past tardive dyskinesia, methaemoglobinaemia, or are breastfeeding. It must not be given to children under 1 year.

Tell your doctor if you:

• have heart rhythm problems or low potassium, sodium or magnesium
• have liver or kidney problems or porphyria
• are pregnant
• take levodopa, medicines for mental health, antidepressants such as fluoxetine or paroxetine, opioids, digoxin or ciclosporin

Store below 30°C and keep the ampoules in the outer carton to protect them from light. Hospital staff will usually store it.

Metoclopramide can cause involuntary movements, sometimes after a single dose, and long use raises the risk of lasting movement problems. It can make you drowsy or dizzy and affect your vision – do not drive or use machines if affected.