• Tardive Dyskinesia (TD), Other Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS), and Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) : Avoid concomitant use of other drugs known to cause TD/EPS/NMS and avoid use in patients with Parkinson’s Disease. If symptoms occur, discontinue Reglan and seek immediate medical attention ( 5.1 , 5.2 , 5.3 , 7.1 , 7.2 ) • Depression and suicidal ideation/suicide : Avoid use. 5.1 Tardive Dyskinesia Metoclopramide, including Reglan, can cause tardive dyskinesia (TD), a syndrome of potentially irreversible and disfiguring involuntary movements of the face or tongue, and sometimes of the trunk and/or extremities. Metoclopramide, including Reglan, may also suppress, or partially suppress, the signs of TD, and may delay the diagnosis of TD because it may mask the underlying disease process. The effect of this symptomatic suppression upon the long-term course of TD is unknown. TD may remit, partially or completely, if Reglan treatment is discontinued . In patients treated with metoclopramide, including Reglan, the risk of developing TD and the likelihood that TD will become irreversible increases with duration of treatment and total cumulative dosage. Additionally, the risk of developing TD is increased in elderly patients, especially in elderly women , and in patients with diabetes mellitus. Prevention, Mitigation, and Monitoring for TD • Reglan is contraindicated in patients with a history of TD. • Avoid use of Reglan in patients receiving concomitant antipsychotics due to the potential additive effects of TD . • Reduce the Reglan dosage in the elderly . • Use Reglan for the shortest duration of treatment and periodically reassess the need for continued treatment. • Immediately discontinue Reglan in patients who develop signs and symptoms of TD. • In patients with symptomatic, documented gastroesophageal reflux, the maximum duration of treatment is 12 weeks . • In patients with diabetic gastroparesis, avoid a total duration of treatment with metoclopramide products, including Reglan tablets, for longer than 12 weeks. If longer-term use is unavoidable, routinely monitor for signs and symptoms of TD. • If patients have continued TD symptoms, consider TD treatment
Other Extrapyramidal Symptoms In addition to TD, metoclopramide may cause other extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), parkinsonian symptoms, and motor restlessness. Advise patients to seek immediate medical attention if such symptoms occur and to discontinue Reglan. • Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), such as acute dystonic reactions, occurred in patients treated with metoclopramide dosages of 30 mg to 40 mg daily. Such reactions occurred more frequently in adults less than 30 years of age and at higher than recommended dosages. EPS occurred more frequently in pediatric patients compared to adults (Reglan is not approved for use in pediatric patients) . Symptoms can occur in the first 24 to 48 hours after starting metoclopramide. Symptoms included involuntary movements of limbs and facial grimacing, torticollis, oculogyric crisis, rhythmic protrusion of tongue, bulbar type of speech, trismus, or dystonic reactions resembling tetanus. Rarely, dystonic reactions were present as stridor and dyspnea, possibly due to laryngospasm. Diphenhydramine hydrochloride or benztropine mesylate may be used to treat these adverse reactions. Avoid Reglan in patients receiving other drugs that can cause EPS (e.g., antipsychotics). • Parkinsonian symptoms (bradykinesia, tremor, cogwheel rigidity, mask-like facies) have occurred after starting metoclopramide, more commonly within the first 6 months, but also after longer periods. Symptoms generally have subsided within 2 to 3 months after discontinuation of Reglan. Avoid Reglan in patients with Parkinson’s disease and other patients being treated with antiparkinsonian drugs due to potential exacerbation of symptoms. If treatment is unavoidable, use Reglan for the shortest duration of treatment and periodically reassess the need for continued treatment. Routinely monitor for signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease . • Motor restlessness (akathisia) has developed and consisted of feelings of anxiety, agitation, jitteriness, and insomnia, as well as inability to sit still, pacing, and foot tapping. If symptoms resolve, consider restarting at a lower dosage
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome Metoclopramide may cause a potentially fatal symptom complex called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). NMS has been reported in association with metoclopramide overdosage and concomitant treatment with another drug associated with NMS. Avoid Reglan in patients receiving other drugs associated with NMS, including typical and atypical antipsychotics. Clinical manifestations of NMS include hyperpyrexia, muscle rigidity, altered mental status, and manifestations of autonomic instability (irregular pulse or blood pressure, tachycardia, diaphoresis, and cardiac arrhythmias). Additional signs may include elevated creatine phosphokinase, myoglobinuria (rhabdomyolysis), and acute renal failure. Patients with such symptoms should be evaluated immediately. In the diagnostic evaluation, consider the presence of other serious medical conditions (e.g., pneumonia, systemic infection) and untreated or inadequately treated extrapyramidal signs and symptoms. Other important considerations in the differential diagnosis include central anticholinergic toxicity, heat stroke, malignant hyperthermia, drug fever, serotonin syndrome, and primary central nervous system pathology. Management of NMS includes: • Immediate discontinuation of Reglan and other drugs not essential to concurrent therapy . • Intensive symptomatic treatment and medical monitoring. • Treatment of any concomitant serious medical problems for which specific treatments are available
Depression Depression has occurred in metoclopramide-treated patients with and without a history of depression. Symptoms have included suicidal ideation and suicide. Avoid Reglan use in patients with a history of depression
Hypertension Metoclopramide may elevate blood pressure. In one study in hypertensive patients, intravenously administered metoclopramide was shown to release catecholamines; hence, avoid use in patients with hypertension or in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors . There are also clinical reports of hypertensive crises in patients with undiagnosed pheochromocytoma. Reglan is contraindicated in patients with pheochromocytoma or other catecholamine-releasing paragangliomas . Discontinue Reglan in any patient with a rapid rise in blood pressure
Fluid Retention Because Reglan produces a transient increase in plasma aldosterone, patients with cirrhosis or congestive heart failure may be at risk of developing fluid retention and volume overload. Discontinue Reglan if any of these adverse reactions occur
Hyperprolactinemia As with other dopamine D 2 receptor antagonists, metoclopramide elevates prolactin levels. Hyperprolactinemia may suppress hypothalamic GnRH, resulting in reduced pituitary gonadotropin secretion. This, in turn, may inhibit reproductive function by impairing gonadal steroidogenesis in both female and male patients. Galactorrhea, amenorrhea, gynecomastia, and impotence have been reported with prolactin-elevating drugs, including metoclopramide. Hyperprolactinemia may potentially stimulate prolactin-dependent breast cancer. However, some clinical studies and epidemiology studies have not shown an association between administration of dopamine D 2 receptor antagonists and tumorigenesis in humans
Effects on the Ability to Drive and Operate Machinery Metoclopramide may impair the mental and/or physical abilities required for the performance of hazardous tasks such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle. Concomitant use of central nervous system (CNS) depressants or drugs associated with EPS may increase this effect (e.g., alcohol, sedatives, hypnotics, opiates, and anxiolytics). Avoid Reglan or the interacting drug, depending on the importance of the drug to the patient .