Metoclopramide

Overdose

Symptoms

Extrapyramidal disorders, drowsiness, decreased level of consciousness, confusion, hallucination, and cardio-respiratory arrest may occur.

Management

In case of extrapyramidal symptoms related or not to overdose, the treatment is only symptomatic (benzodiazepines in children and/or anticholinergic anti-parkinsonian medicinal products in adults). A symptomatic treatment and a continuous monitoring of the cardiovascular and respiratory functions should be carried out according to clinical status.

Shelf life

Shelf-life

Four years from the date of manufacture (PVC blister packs).

Three years from the date of manufacture (polypropylene containers; polyethylene containers; amber glass containers.

Contraindications

- Gastrointestinal haemorrhage, mechanical obstruction or gastro-intestinal perforation for which the stimulation of gastrointestinal motility constitutes a risk

- Confirmed or suspected pheochromocytoma, due to the risk of severe hypertension episodes

- History of neuroleptic or metoclopramide-induced tardive dyskinesia

- Epilepsy (increased crises frequency and intensity)

- Parkinson's disease

- Combination with levodopa or dopaminergic agonists

- Known history of methaemoglobinaemia with metoclopramide or of NADH cytochrome-b5 deficiency.

- Use in children less than 1 year of age due to an increased risk of extrapyramidal disorders

Incompatibilities

None known.

List of excipients

Also contains:

Colloidal silica

Lactose monohydrate

Magnesium stearate

Maize starch

Microcrystalline cellulose (E460)

Pharmaceutical form

Tablet.

White, circular, biconvex uncoated tablets impressed “C” on one face and the identifying letters “M” and “P” on either side of a central division line on the reverse.

The score line is only to facilitate breaking for ease of swallowing and not to divide into equal doses.

Undesirable effects

Adverse reactions listed by System Organ Class. Frequencies are defined using the following convention: very common (>1/10), common (>1/100, <1/10), uncommon (>1/1000, <1/100), rare (>1/10000, <1/1000), very rare (<1/10000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

System Organ Class

Frequency

Adverse reactions

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Not known

Methaemoglobinaemia, which could be related to NADH cytochrome b5 reductase deficiency, particularly in neonates Sulfhaemoglobinaemia, mainly with concomitant administration of high doses of sulfur-releasing medicinal products

Cardiac disorders

Uncommon

Bradycardia, particularly with intravenous formulation

Not known

Cardiac arrest, occurring shortly after injectable use, and which can be subsequent to bradycardia ; Atrioventricular block, Sinus arrest particularly with intravenous formulation; Electrocardiogram QT prolonged; Torsade de Pointes;

Endocrine disorders*

Uncommon

Amenorrhoea, Hyperprolactinaemia,

Rare

Galactorrhoea

Not known

Gynaecomastia

Gastrointestinal disorders

Common

Diarrhoea

General disorders and administration site conditions

Common

Asthenia

Immune system disorders

Uncommon

Hypersensitivity

Not known

Anaphylactic reaction (including anaphylactic shock particularly with intravenous formulation

Nervous system disorders

Very common

Somnolence

Common

Extrapyramidal disorders (particularly in children and young adults and/or when the recommended dose is exceeded, even following administration of a single dose of the drug) , Parkinsonism, Akathisia

Uncommon

Dystonia, Dyskinesia, Depressed level of consciousness

Rare

Convulsion especially in epileptic patients

Not known

Tardive dyskinesia which may be persistent, during or after prolonged treatment, particularly in elderly patients , Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Psychiatric disorders

Common

Depression

Uncommon

Hallucination

Rare

Confusional state

Vascular disorder

Common

Hypotension, particularly with intravenous formulation

Not known

Shock, syncope after injectable use Acute hypertension in patients with phaeochromocytoma

Transient increase in blood pressure

* Endocrine disorders during prolonged treatment in relation with hyperprolactinaemia (amenorrhoea, galactorrhoea, gynaecomastia).

The following reactions, sometimes associated, occur more frequently when high doses are used:

- Extrapyramidal symptoms: acute dystonia and dyskinesia, parkinsonian syndrome, akathisia, even following administration of a single dose of the medicinal product, particularly in children and young adults.

- Drowsiness, decreased level of consciousness, confusion, hallucination.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme; website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard

Metoclopramide price

Average cost of Metoclopramide 10 mg per unit in online pharmacies is from 0.3$ to 0.78$, per pack from 22$ to 50$.

Preclinical safety data

Not applicable.

Therapeutic indications

Adult population

Metoclopramide is indicated in adults for:

- Prevention of delayed chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV)

- Prevention of radiotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (RINV).

- Symptomatic treatment of nausea and vomiting, including acute migraine induced nausea and vomiting. Metoclopramide can be used in combination with oral analgesics to improve the absorption of analgesics in acute migraine.

Paediatric population

Metoclopramide 10mg tablets are indicated in children (aged 15-18 years) for:

- Prevention of delayed chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) as a second line option

Pharmacodynamic properties

Metoclopramide hydrochloride is an anti-emetic and an accelerator of gastric emptying.

Pharmacokinetic properties

Renal impairment

The clearance of metoclopramide is reduced by up to 70% in patients with severe renal impairment, while the plasma elimination half-life is increased (approximately 10 hours for a creatinine clearance of 10-50 mL/minute and 15 hours for a creatinine clearance <10 mL/minute).

Hepatic impairment

In patients with cirrhosis of the liver, accumulation of metoclopramide has been observed, associated with a 50% reduction in plasma clearance.

Date of revision of the text

19/10/2016

Name of the medicinal product

Metoclopramide 10mg Tablets

Marketing authorisation holder

Name or style and permanent address of registered place of business of the holder of the Marketing Authorisation:

Actavis UK Limited

(Trading style: Actavis)

Whiddon Valley

BARNSTAPLE

N Devon EX32 8NS

Special precautions for storage

Store below 25°C in a dry place. Protect from light.

Nature and contents of container

The product containers are rigid injection moulded polypropylene or injection blow-moulded polyethylene containers with snap-on polyethylene lids; in case any supply difficulties should arise the alternative is amber glass containers with screw caps and polyfoam wad or cotton wool.

The product may also be supplied in blister packs and cartons:

a) Carton: Printed carton manufactured from white folding box board.

b) Blister pack: (i) 250µm white rigid PVC. (ii) Surface printed 20µm hard temper aluminium foil with 5-6g/M² PVC and PVdC compatible heat seal lacquer on the reverse side.

Pack sizes: 28, 30, 56, 60, 84, 90, 100, 112, 120, 168, 180, 250, 500, 1000

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Product may also be supplied in bulk packs, for reassembly purposes only, in polybags contained in tins, skillets or polybuckets filled with suitable cushioning material. Bulk packs are included for temporary storage of the finished product before final packaging into the proposed marketing containers.

Maximum size of bulk packs: 50,000.

Marketing authorisation number(s)

PL 0142/0252

Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

A large amount of data on pregnant women (more than 1000 exposed outcomes) indicates no malformative toxicity nor foetotoxicity. Metoclopramide can be used during pregnancy if clinically needed. Due to pharmacological properties (as other neuroleptics), in case of metoclopramide administration at the end of pregnancy, extrapyramidal syndrome in newborn cannot be excluded.

Metoclopramide should be avoided at the end of pregnancy. If metoclopramide is used, neonatal monitoring should be undertaken.

Breastfeeding

Metoclopramide is excreted in breast milk at low level. Adverse reactions in the breast-fed baby cannot be excluded. Therefore metoclopramide is not recommended during breastfeeding. Discontinuation of metoclopramide in breastfeeding women should be considered.

Qualitative and quantitative composition

Special warnings and precautions for use

Neurological Disorders

Extrapyramidal disorders may occur, particularly in children and young adults, and/or when high doses are used.

Prolonged treatment with metoclopramide may cause tardive dyskinesia, potentially irreversible, especially in the elderly. Treatment should not exceed 3 months because of the risk of tardive dyskinesia. Treatment must be discontinued if clinical signs of tardive dyskinesia appear.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome has been reported with metoclopramide in combination with neuroleptics as well as with metoclopramide monotherapy. Metoclopramide should be discontinued immediately in the event of symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome and appropriate treatment should be initiated.

Special care should be exercised in patients with underlying neurological conditions and in patients being treated with other centrally-acting drugs

Symptoms of Parkinson's disease may also be exacerbated by metoclopramide.

Methaemoglobinemia

Methemoglobinemia which could be related to NADH cytochrome b5 reductase deficiency has been reported. In such cases, metoclopramide should be immediately and permanently discontinued and appropriate measures initiated (such as treatment with methylene blue).

Cardiac Disorders

There have been reports of serious cardiovascular undesirable effects including cases of circulatory collapse, severe bradycardia, cardiac arrest and QT prolongation following administration of metoclopramide by injection, particularly via the intravenous route.

Special care should be taken when administering metoclopramide, particularly via the intravenous route to the elderly population, to patients with cardiac conduction disturbances (including QT prolongation), patients with uncorrected electrolyte imbalance, bradycardia and those taking other drugs known to prolong QT interval.

Intravenous doses should be administered as a slow bolus (at least over 3 minutes) in order to reduce the risk of adverse effects (e.g. hypotension, akathisia).

Renal and Hepatic Impairment

In patients with renal impairment or with severe hepatic impairment, a dose reduction is recommended.

Contains lactose:

Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.

Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Metoclopramide may cause drowsiness, dizziness, dyskinesia and dystonias which could affect the vision and also interfere with the ability to drive and operate machinery.

Dosage (Posology) and method of administration

All indications (adult patients)

The recommended single dose is 10 mg, repeated up to three times daily.

The maximum recommended daily dose is 30 mg or 0.5mg/kg body weight.

The maximum recommended treatment duration is 5 days.

Paediatric patients aged 15-18 years

Prevention of delayed chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV)

The recommended dose is 0.1 to 0.15 mg/kg body weight, repeated up to three times daily by oral route. The maximum dose in 24 hours is 0.5 mg/kg body weight.

Dosing table

Age

Body Weight

Dose

Frequency

15-18 years

Over 60kg

10mg

Up to 3 times daily

The maximum treatment duration is 5 days for prevention of delayed chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).

Tablets are not suitable for use in children weighing less than 61kg.

Other pharmaceutical forms/strengths may be more appropriate for administration to this population.

Method of administration:

A minimal interval of 6 hours between two administrations is to be respected, even in case of vomiting or rejection of the dose.

Special population

Elderly

In elderly patients a dose reduction should be considered, based on renal and hepatic function and overall frailty.

Renal impairment:

In patients with end stage renal disease (Creatinine clearance ≤ 15 ml/min), the daily dose should be reduced by 75%. In patients with moderate to severe renal impairment (Creatinine clearance 15-60 ml/min), the dose should be reduced by 50%.

Hepatic impairment:

In patients with severe hepatic impairment, the dose should be reduced by 50%.

Paediatric population

Metoclopramide is contraindicated in children aged less than 1 year.

Special precautions for disposal and other handling

Not applicable.

Administrative data

Date of first authorisation/renewal of the authorisation

8.7.87

Renewed: 8.7.92, 8.7.97, 8.7.02

Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Contraindicated combination

Levodopa or dopaminergic agonists and metoclopramide have a mutual antagonism.

Combination to be avoided

Alcohol potentiates the sedative effect of metoclopramide.

Combination to be taken into account

Due to the prokinetic effect of metoclopramide, the absorption of certain drugs may be modified.

Anticholinergics and morphine derivatives

Anticholinergics and morphine derivatives may have both a mutual antagonism with metoclopramide on the digestive tract motility.

Central nervous system depressants (morphine derivatives, anxiolytics, sedative H1 antihistamines, sedative antidepressants, barbiturates, clonidine and related)

Sedative effects of Central Nervous System depressants and metoclopramide are potentiated.

Neuroleptics

Metoclopramide may have an additive effect with other neuroleptics on the occurrence of extrapyramidal disorders.

Serotonergic drugs

The use of metoclopramide with serotonergic drugs such as SSRIs may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.

Digoxin

Metoclopramide may decrease digoxin bioavailability. Careful monitoring of digoxin plasma concentration is required.

Cyclosporine

Metoclopramide increases cyclosporine bioavailability (Cmax by 46% and exposure by 22%). Careful monitoring of cyclosporine plasma concentration is required. The clinical consequence is uncertain.

Mivacurium and suxamethonium

Metoclopramide injection may prolong the duration of neuromuscular block (through inhibition of plasma cholinesterase).

Strong CYP2D6 inhibitors

Metoclopramide exposure levels are increased when co-administered with strong CYP2D6 inhibitors such as fluoxetine and paroxetine. Although the clinical significance is uncertain, patients should be monitored for adverse reactions.