Patient/caregiver was instructed upon therapeutic uses and mechanism of action of Reglan as follows:

Reglan is a medication mainly used to enhance motility of bowels in individuals with history of hypomotility. Reglan is also used to reduce nausea and vomiting and counter GERD.  Reglan has multiple mechanisms of action, in order to accomplish these actions, as discussed below.

Nausea and vomiting

  • Vomiting center in the brain has dopamine receptors.
  • Stimulation of these dopamine receptors in the vomiting center of brain contributes to nausea and vomiting.
  • Reglan inhibits these dopamine receptors in the vomiting center and thus inhibits the development of nausea and vomiting.
  • Also, Reglan is a medication that helps increase gastric motility and thereby, controls nausea and vomiting.
  • Individuals receiving chemotherapy often present with nausea and vomiting, as a side-effect to chemo.
  • Reglan, by controlling the nausea and vomiting, can be used as an anti-nausea and antiemetic, for relief of these GI side-effects of chemo.

Slow gastric motility

  • Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter acting on the smooth muscle of the stomach and intestines, thus helping to increase the motility of the bowels.
  • Reglan potentiates the action of acetylcholine on the smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract, thus contributing to improve the gastric motility and promote emptying of gastric contents.
  • Diabetic individuals with neuropathy, often present with poor gastric motility and delayed emptying of contents in the stomach.
  • Reglan increases gastric motility and brings on relaxation of small intestine, thus promoting gastric emptying in individuals with compromised gastric motility.
  • Improved gastric motility and gastric emptying also contribute to reduced nausea and vomiting.

Heartburn and GERD

  • Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) at the lower end of esophagus separates esophagus and stomach.
  • The function of LES is to prevent reflux of the acid contents of the stomach, up into the esophagus, thus preventing development of GERD.
  • Poorly functional LES allows the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus, thus precipitating episodes of GERD.
  • Reglan helps with improved contraction of LES, prevents reflux of acid gastric contents into the esophagus, and thus, reduces the chances for development of GERD.
  • Reglan also increases the motility of esophagus, promotes acid clearance from esophagus, thus contributing to control of heartburn and symptoms of GERD.