| Author | Message | ||
     Jean Miller |
Posted to Hunt-Dis July 25, 2000 RED FLAG Families of Huntington's Disease patients should exercise caution when this medication is prescribed, especially for those on feeding tubes. Discuss any concerns about a person with Huntington's taking this medication with the physician. If the decision is made to put your loved on Reglan, special attention should be made to look for the serious side affects, listed below, and reporting them to the doctor as soon as possible. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Clinical Medication Sheet: Reglan/ Metoclopramide Hcl Actions: Stimulates motility of upper GI tract by increasing lower esophageal sphincter tone METOCLOPRAMIDE (ReglanŽ) has a number of uses. Metoclopramide increases the movements of the stomach and intestines. It can help treat heartburn in patients who suffer from a backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus, often called "GERD". It is also used for diabetic gastroparesis, a condition in some diabetics that causes discomfort, heartburn, nausea, and a feeling of fullness after meals. It can also be used for other purposes, like hiccups. Generic metoclopramide tablets are available. Contraindications Intestinal obstruction Extrapyramidal symptoms Perforation Seizure disorders Side Effects Nausea Hemorrhage Drowsiness Anxiety Restlessness Lassitude Tardive dyskinesia Dystonic reactions Bowel disturbances OTHER SIDE EFFECTS Serious or limiting side effects are uncommon, but may include: . breast enlargement in men or women, or production of breast-milk in women who are not breast-feeding . change in the way you walk (shuffling feet) . difficulty moving, speaking or swallowing . drooling, lip smacking, or rapid movements of the tongue . involuntary or uncontrollable movements of the eyes, head, arms and legs . irregular heartbeat or palpitations . muscle twitches and spasms . skin rash . unusual tiredness or weakness LESS SERIOUS SIDE EFFECT Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome): . depression . diarrhea . difficulty sleeping . drowsiness . headache . menstrual changes . restlessness . sexual difficulties (decreased sexualdesire or impotence) THINGS TO WATCH FOR: o Advise patient to avoid activities requiring alertness for two hours after taking each dose. o It may take a few weeks for your stomach condition to improve on this medicine. o You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how metoclopramide affects you. Alcohol can increase drowsiness or dizziness; avoid alcoholic drinks. REACTIONS: What other medicines can interact with metoclopramide? . alcohol . bromocriptine . cyclosporine . digoxin . medicines for diabetes, including insulin . medicines that treat diarrhea . medicines for hay fever and other allergies . medicines for mental depression . medicines for mental problems or psychotic disturbances . medicines for Parkinson's disease, like levodopa . medicines for sleep or for pain WHAT CONDITIONS TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT BEFORE TAKING THIS MEDICATION .asthma .breast cancer .depression .high blood pressure .kidney disease .Parkinson's disease or a movement disorder .pheochromocytoma .seizures (convulsions) .stomach obstruction, bleeding, or perforation .an unusual or allergic reaction to metoclopramide, procainamide, sulfites, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives .pregnant or trying to get pregnant .breast-feeding FOOTNOTE: 1. Descriptions Go to this Medical Dictionary to look up terms described above http://medical-dictionary.com/ 2. Family Experience(s) My husband had a period of projectile vomiting the summer of 1999. After some tests, it was thought to be a hiatal hernia and acid reflux. He was given the medication reglan. After only 3 weeks on Reglan, he became a changed person. He went from an easy going happy guy to a monster. He experienced hallucinations, paranoia..and too many things to list. After one really bad night, I had to call 911 and he was taken by ambulance to the hospital. As soon as the neurologist on call saw his med list and that he had HD, she said "It is the reglan. Stop it NOW" He spent one week in hospital and then came home...not a lot better. Two months later he tried to commit suicide and kill me too. Again, the drs. said it had to be from the reglan. They told me it could take 6 -8-9 months to get out of his system. After I researched the drug I found where it states it should not be prescribed for patients with movement disorders or seizures and he had both. It is now July 2000 and my husband still has not improved. His condition has much worsened, most of which can be contributed to giving Reglan to someone with HD. | ||
| ltc55 |
it seem as if reglan would cause you to loose weight due to the increasing digest activity instead of stopping you to loose. Does this drug also cause some to loose weight | ||
| dana |
I am taking reglan for Acid Reflux. How long should I stay on this drug. Is there a maximum? | ||
| Anonymous |
My granddaughter (who is 6 weeks old) has been prescribed reglan for gastro reflux. This morning she started experieince difficulty in swallowing. It looked like mucus but after reading more information on the medicine I'm wondering if it's the medicine. Or if there are other serious side effects with prolonged use. Such as nervous system problems after about 12 weeks of use in an adult. I'm assuming with a baby it would be much sooner. Any help or thoughts? |