Reglan 10 mg tablets (metoclopramide) – for nausea and vomiting

Reglan is a medicine containing metoclopramide, an antiemetic from the group of dopamine antagonists. It acts on the part of the brain that controls nausea and vomiting, thereby preventing and relieving them.

Each tablet contains 10 mg metoclopramide hydrochloride. The tablet has a score line and can be divided into equal doses. The medicine is intended for short-term use – usually no longer than 5 days.

What is Reglan used for and how should it be taken correctly?

Basic information about the medicine

What is Reglan used for?

According to the patient leaflet, Reglan is used:

• in adults – to prevent nausea and vomiting that may occur after chemotherapy;
• in adults – to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by radiotherapy;
• in adults – to treat nausea and vomiting, including those occurring with migraine (it can be taken with pain relievers for migraine to help them work better);
• in children aged 9 to 18 years weighing more than 30 kg – to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, only if other treatment does not work or cannot be used.

How is Reglan used and dosed?

Take the medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The tablets are taken about 30 minutes before meals. Dosing according to the leaflet:

• Adults: 10 mg (1 tablet) per dose, up to three times a day; the maximum daily dose is 30 mg or 0.5 mg/kg body weight.
• Duration: the maximum recommended treatment duration is 5 days.
• Children 9–18 years (only for nausea after chemotherapy, as second-line treatment): 0.1 to 0.15 mg/kg up to three times a day, maximum 0.5 mg/kg per day – body weight 30–60 kg: 5 mg up to 3 times a day; age 15–18 years and over 60 kg: 10 mg up to 3 times a day; no longer than 5 days.
• Interval between doses: at least 6 hours, even in case of vomiting or rejection of the dose.
• Reglan tablets are not suitable for children weighing less than 30 kg.

Special patient groups

• Children: contraindicated in children under 1 year; uncontrolled (extrapyramidal) movements occur more often in children and adolescents.
• Older patients: the dose may be reduced depending on kidney and liver function and general health.
• Kidney impairment: a dose reduction is needed in moderate or severe impairment.
• Liver impairment: a dose reduction is needed in severe impairment.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

• allergy to metoclopramide or any of the excipients;
• bleeding, perforation of the stomach or intestine, or ileus (bowel obstruction);
• phaeochromocytoma (a rare adrenal gland tumour) – confirmed or suspected;
• involuntary muscle spasms (tardive dyskinesia) during previous treatment with a medicine;
• epilepsy;
• Parkinson's disease, as well as concomitant use of levodopa or dopaminergic agonists;
• history of methaemoglobinaemia or NADH cytochrome-b5 deficiency;
• children under 1 year of age.

Precautions and warnings

• heart rhythm disorder (QT prolongation) or other heart problems, as well as medicines that affect heart function;
• abnormal blood salt levels (potassium, sodium, magnesium);
• neurological problems;
• liver and kidney disease – the dose may be reduced;
• your doctor may order a blood test for haemoglobin levels; in case of methaemoglobinaemia treatment is stopped immediately and permanently;
• treatment must not last longer than 3 months because of the risk of involuntary muscle spasms;
• the medicine contains lactose – if you are intolerant to some sugars, consult your doctor.

Interactions with other medicines, food and drink

Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are taking, especially:

• levodopa and other medicines for Parkinson's disease;
• anticholinergics (medicines for stomach cramps);
• morphine derivatives (medicines for severe pain) and sedatives;
• medicines for mental illness;
• digoxin, ciclosporin;
• mivacurium and suxamethonium (muscle relaxants);
• fluoxetine and paroxetine (antidepressants);
• alcohol must not be consumed during treatment, as it increases the sedative effect of the medicine.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• Pregnancy: if necessary, Reglan can be taken during pregnancy – your doctor will decide.
• Breastfeeding: use is not recommended, because metoclopramide passes into breast milk and may affect the baby.

Driving and using machines

• After taking the medicine you may feel drowsy or dizzy or experience uncontrolled spasms and abnormal muscle tone, which can affect your vision and your ability to drive and use machines.

Possible side effects

• Stop the medicine and contact your doctor immediately: uncontrolled movements (often of the head and neck); high temperature, high blood pressure, convulsions, sweating and excessive salivation (possible neuroleptic malignant syndrome); itching, rash, swelling of the face, lips or throat and difficulty breathing (allergic reaction).
• Very common: drowsiness.
• Common: depression (including suicidal thoughts), tics, trembling, jerking or muscle stiffness, Parkinson-like symptoms, restlessness, low blood pressure, diarrhoea, weakness.
• Uncommon: increased prolactin (milk production, missed periods), hallucinations, involuntary movements, reduced level of consciousness, slow heartbeat, allergy.
• Rare: confusion, convulsions (especially in epilepsy).
• Frequency not known: methaemoglobinaemia (change in skin colour), gynaecomastia, involuntary spasms after prolonged use (especially in older people), heart rhythm changes on ECG, cardiac arrest, shock, fainting, very high blood pressure.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Overdose: contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately – uncontrolled movements, drowsiness, confusion, impaired consciousness, hallucinations and heart problems may occur.
• Missed dose: do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten one; keep an interval of at least 6 hours between doses.
• Stopping treatment: do not stop the medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Related information

For general digestive support, see also the category Digestive system – products in this category do not replace the medicine prescribed for you.

Composition, pack and manufacturer

• active substance: metoclopramide hydrochloride monohydrate – 10 mg metoclopramide hydrochloride per tablet;
• excipients: maize starch; lactose monohydrate; microcrystalline cellulose; colloidal anhydrous silica; magnesium stearate;
• white, round, flat tablets with a score line on one side;
• pack: 4 PVC/Al blisters of 10 tablets (40 tablets);
• marketing authorisation holder: Alkaloid d.o.o. Belgrade, Prahovska 3, Belgrade; manufacturer: Alkaloid AD Skopje, North Macedonia, in cooperation with Sanofi-Aventis, Paris, France.

Storage

• store below 25 °C;
• shelf life: 5 years;
• keep out of the sight and reach of children; return unused medicine to a pharmacy that collects unused medicines.

Frequently asked questions

How long may I take Reglan?

According to the leaflet, the maximum recommended treatment duration is 5 days. Longer use increases the risk of involuntary muscle spasms, and treatment must never last longer than 3 months.

What if I vomit after taking a tablet?

Do not take a new dose straight away. At least 6 hours must pass between two doses of metoclopramide, even in case of vomiting or rejection of the dose, to avoid overdose.

Can children take Reglan?

The medicine must not be given to children under one year of age. In children aged 9 to 18 years weighing more than 30 kg it is used only to prevent nausea after chemotherapy when other treatment does not work, at the dose set by the doctor.

When should Reglan be taken in relation to meals?

The tablets should be taken about 30 minutes before meals, and the interval between doses must be at least 6 hours.

Sources

• ALIMS – Patient information leaflet Reglan (PIL)
• ALIMS – Summary of product characteristics Reglan (SmPC)

Sources checked on: 25 October 2026.