Metoclopramide

What is Metoclopramide?

Metoclopramide is a medication used to treat nausea. It can help your symptoms by stopping you from feeling and being sick.

It’s a generic version of the branded Maxolon. This means they both contain the same active ingredient and work in about the same way but Metoclopramide is usually cheaper.

Metoclopramide is a short course of treatment and you should take it for a maximum of five days.

How does Metoclopramide work?

Nausea is the feeling of needing to be sick, which sometimes triggers actual vomiting. It’s often triggered when nerves in a part of your body are irritated and send signals to a part of your brain called the CTZ (chemoreceptor trigger zone). The CTZ then sends signals via dopamine to the vomiting centre.

The vomiting centre can cause spasms in the gut and feelings of sickness. Metoclopramide works by interrupting the messages that are sent between the CTZ and the vomiting centre. This should reduce nausea and curb the risk of vomiting.

Which dose of Metoclopramide should I use?

The standard dose of Metoclopramide is 10mg, taken up to three times a day.

If you suffer from liver or kidney conditions or if you weigh less than 60kg, a standard dose of Metoclopramide could be too high for you. In this case, you will need to talk to your clinician about a lower dose.

How to take Metoclopramide

Always take the dosage of Metoclopramide prescribed by your clinician. Swallow it with water. Wait at least six hours between each dose, even if you’ve been sick.

How long does it take Metoclopramide to work?

You’ll usually start to feel better half an hour to an hour after taking Metoclopramide.

How long can I take Metoclopramide for?

Metoclopramide is usually prescribed for up to five days. This can vary depending on why you’re using it.

If you’re taking it for migraines, you should only take it as and when your symptoms appear. If you’re taking it for nausea caused by chemotherapy or surgery, take for as long as it has been prescribed.

Maybe you feel like you need more nausea treatment after finishing your course, or you’re not sure how much you were supposed to take. In this case, go back and talk to our clinician. You just need to sign in to your account and send our clinician a message.

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Metoclopramide?

If you’ve taken more Metoclopramide than you should, contact a clinician or go to your local hospital. Bring the packaging of the medication with you if possible.

If you miss a dose, don’t take a double dose to make up for it. Just skip a dose and continue treatment as normal.