|
What is Reglan
 Reglan
increases the rate at which the stomach and intestines move
during digestion. It also increases the rate at which the
stomach empties into the intestines and increases the strength
of the lower esophageal sphincter (the muscle between the
stomach and esophagus).
Reglan
is used to treat diabetic gastric stasis (slow movement of
the stomach), which causes symptoms such as nausea, vomiting,
heartburn, decreased appetite, and prolonged fullness after
eating. It is also used to treat gastric reflux or heartburn
(the regurgitation of stomach acid into the esophagus), prevention
of postoperative nausea and vomiting, prevention of nausea
and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy, facilitation
of small bowel intubation, and to facilitate x-ray examination
of the stomach and intestines.
Reglan
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Reglan
Call your doctor immediately if you experience uncontrollable
movements or muscle spasms of your arms, legs, lips, jaw,
tongue, face, or other body part; or if you experience unexplained
anxiety, agitation, jitteriness, shortness of breath, or
insomnia. These symptoms could be early signs of a serious
side effect requiring immediate treatment.
Use caution
when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Reglan may cause drowsiness. If you experience
drowsiness, avoid these activities.
What you should find out before taking
Reglan
Do not take Reglan if you have
- bleeding,
an injury, or an obstruction in your stomach;
- pheochromocytoma;
or
- epilepsy or another seizure disorder.
These conditions make it dangerous to use Reglan .
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have:
- kidney disease;
- a history of depression;
- Parkinson's disease;
- diabetes;
-
high blood pressure; or
- recently had stomach surgery.
You may not be able to take Reglan , or you may require
a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment
if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Reglan
is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is
unlikely to harm an unborn baby. Do not take Reglan without
first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
Reglan passes into breast milk. Do not take Reglan without
first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
How should take Reglan Take Reglan exactly as directed by your doctor. If
you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass of water.
To ensure that you
get a correct dose, measure the liquid form of Reglan with
a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular
table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device,
ask your pharmacist where you can get one.
Reglan
is available as both a syrup and a concentrated solution.
Although the dose remains the same, the amount of liquid
needed to make a dose is different. Follow your doctor's
instructions.
Reglan is usually taken four times
a day, 30 minutes before meals and at bedtime. Follow your
doctor's instructions.
Store Reglan at room temperature
away from moisture and heat.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed
dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do
not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of a Reglan overdose include drowsiness; confusion; uncontrollable
movements of the arms, legs, face, or tongue; muscle spasm
of the neck; tremor; irritability; and agitation.
Avoid while taking Reglan Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or
performing other hazardous activities. Reglan may cause
drowsiness. If you experience drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Possible side effects of Reglan If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking Reglan and seek emergency medical attention
or contact your doctor immediately:
- an allergic
reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
-
uncontrollable movements or spasms of your arms, legs, lips,
jaw, tongue, face, or other body part;
- anxiety,
agitation, jitteriness, difficulty breathing, or insomnia;
- depression;
- yellowing of the skin or eyes;
- changes in vision;
- an irregular heartbeat;
or
- seizures or hallucinations.
Other, less
serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue
to take Reglan and talk to your doctor if you experience
- nausea or diarrhea;
- dizziness, drowsiness,
or headache;
- confusion;
- fluid retention
(swelling of hands or legs, bloating);
- breast tenderness
or swelling;
- changes in your menstrual cycle; or
- increased frequency of urination.
Side effects
other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that
is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Reglan Tell your doctor if you have taken a monoamine oxidase
inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine
(Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days. Reglan
must be used very cautiously if you are taking any of these
medicines.
Before taking Reglan , tell your doctor
if you are taking any of the following medicines:
-
digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
- cyclosporine (Sandimmune,
Neoral);
- tetracycline (Sumycin, others);
-
levodopa (Larodopa, Dopar, Sinemet);
- insulin;
-
a narcotic pain reliever such as morphine (MS Contin, MSIR,
others), codeine, hydrocodone (Vicodin, Hycodan), oxycodone
(Percocet, Percodan, Tylox, OxyContin), oxymorphone (Numorphan),
and others; or
- clidinium (Quarzan), dicyclomine
(Bentyl), hyoscyamine (Levsin, Cystospaz, Anaspaz), belladonna
(Donnatal), or propantheline (Pro-Banthine).
You
may not be able to take Reglan , or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of
the medicines listed above.
Reglan may increase the
effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including
antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used
to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and
muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that
you are taking, and do not take any medicine unless your
doctor approves.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with Reglan
. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription
or over-the-counter medicines. |
