Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Metoclopramide as follows:
General allergic reactions
- Metoclopramide use can result in general allergic reactions, such as, skin rashes, hives, and itching.
- Some patients can present with symptoms of severe allergic and anaphylactic response with Metoclopramide, such as, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, throat, and tongue, with consequent difficulty breathing. Seek emergency medical help for such findings, especially with difficulty breathing, for any appropriate measures to be considered.
Musculoskeletal side-effects
- Metoclopramide intake can also result in abnormal involuntary muscle movementscalled tardive dyskinesia, when individuals present with movements such as, lip smacking, chewing, grimacing, frowning, sticking out of tongue, and torticollis, an abnormal movement in which the neck muscles contract twisting the head to one side. Individuals can present with spasms of the laryngeal muscles, resulting in stridor and difficulty breathing. Metoclopramide intake can also result in akathisia, characterized by a sense of restlessness, inability to stay still, foot tapping, and pacing.
- Metoclopramide intake can induce a life-threatening reaction called Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Individuals presenting with this side-effect can demonstrate high fever, episodes of confusion, muscle rigidity, elevated blood pressure, and rapid heart rate. Severe cases can present with muscle breakdown, elevated potassium levels in the blood due to muscle destruction, life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias due to the elevated blood potassium, and seizures.
- Metoclopramide use can induce symptoms of parkinson’s disease and aggravate symptoms of the disease in individuals with history of the same. Individuals can present with tremors, muscle spasms, rigidity, and difficulty initiating movements.
- Parenteral intake of Metoclopramide can result in discoloration of skin with burning sensation at the site of injection. Also, individuals can present with fatigue and muscle pain with cramps at the site of injection.
