You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Metoclopramide is widely used in veterinary medicine for the management of vomiting, however there are a number of drug interactions and side-effects that have been reported.

Metoclopramide is a dopamine D₂ receptor antagonist which is reported to have interactions with the following drugs :

• Antimuscarinic drugs - opioid analgesics. metaclopramide has the opposite effect on gastrointestinal mmotility - resulting in diarrhoea rather than constipation
• Aspirin - metoclopramide causes increased absorption of aspirin
• Bromocriptine - metoclopramide has the opposite effect on prolactin and increases its concentrations in the blood
• Corticosteroids - when given with metoclopramide, dexamethasone significantly increases the anti-emetic effect of the drug alone.
• Paracetamol - metoclopramide causes increased absorption of paracetomol
• Phenothiazines - when used with metoclopramide significantly increases the cahnces of centrakl nervous system side-effects

In cats and dogs the drug sometimes causes excitation and restlessness. In humans other side-effects include :

• Central nervous system disorders (extrapyramidal) eg tremors
• Sedation
• Diarrhoea

These are most likely to occur at high dose-rates.

Provet Feedback Request

If you have seen a case that has developed side-effects following the use of metoclopramide please let us know the details at feedback@provet.co.uk 

Thank You

Updated October 2013