Adult population

Metoclopramide is indicated in adults for:

• Prevention of delayed chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).

• Prevention of radiotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (RINV).

• Symptomatic treatment of nausea and vomiting, including acute migraine induced nausea and vomiting. Metoclopramide can be used in combination with oral analgesics to improve the absorption of analgesics in acute migraine.

Paediatric population

Metoclopramide is indicated in children (aged 1-18 years) for:

• Prevention of delayed chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) as a second line option.

Posology

Adult population

The recommended single dose is 10 mg, repeated up to three times daily.

The maximum recommended daily dose is 30 mg or 0.5mg/kg body weight.

The maximum recommended treatment duration is 5 days.

Prevention of delayed chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) (paediatric patients aged 1-18 years)

The recommended dose is 0.1 to 0.15 mg/kg body weight, repeated up to three times daily by oral route. The maximum dose in 24 hours is 0.5 mg/kg body weight.

Dosing table

The maximum treatment duration is 5 days for prevention of delayed chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).

Special population

Elderly

In elderly patients a dose reduction should be considered, based on renal and hepatic function and overall frailty.

Renal impairment:

In patients with end stage renal disease (Creatinine clearance ≤ 15 ml/min), the daily dose should be reduced by 75%.

In patients with moderate to severe renal impairment (Creatinine clearance 15-60 ml/min), the dose should be reduced by 50% (see section 5.2).

Hepatic impairment:

In patients with severe hepatic impairment, the dose should be reduced by 50% (see section 5.2).

Paediatric population

Metoclopramide is contraindicated in children aged less than 1 year (see section 4.3).

Method of administration:

For oral use.

A minimal interval of 6 hours between two administrations is to be respected, even in case of vomiting or rejection of the dose (see section 4.4).

• Hypersensitivity to the active substance or any of the excipients listed in 6.1.

• Gastrointestinal haemorrhage, mechanical obstruction or gastrointestinal perforation for which the stimulation of gastrointestinal motility constitutes a risk.

• A history of neuroleptic or metoclopramide-induced tardive dyskinesia.

• Epilepsy (increased crises frequency and intensity).

• Parkinson's disease.

• Confirmed or suspected phaeochromocytoma, due to the risk of severe hypertension episodes.

• Combination with levodopa or dopaminergic agonists (see section 4.5).

• Known history of methaemoglobinaemia with metoclopramide or of NADH cytochrome-b5 deficiency.

• Use in children less than 1 year of age due to an increased risk of extrapyramidal disorders (see section 4.4).

Special warnings

Neurological Disorders

Extrapyramidal disorders may occur, particularly in children and young adults, and/or when high doses are used. These reactions occur usually at the beginning of the treatment and can occur after a single administration. Metoclopramide should be discontinued immediately in the event of extrapyramidal symptoms. These effects are generally completely reversible after treatment discontinuation, but may require a symptomatic treatment (benzodiazepines in children and/or anticholinergic anti-Parkinsonian medicinal products in adults).

The time interval of at least 6 hours specified in the section 4.2 should be respected between each metoclopramide administration, even in case of vomiting and rejection of the dose, in order to avoid overdose.

Prolonged treatment with metoclopramide may cause tardive dyskinesia, potentially irreversible, especially in the elderly. Treatment should not exceed 3 months because of the risk of tardive dyskinesia (see section 4.8). Treatment must be discontinued if clinical signs of tardive dyskinesia appear.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome has been reported with metoclopramide in combination with neuroleptics as well as with metoclopramide monotherapy (see section 4.8). Metoclopramide should be discontinued immediately in the event of symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome and appropriate treatment should be initiated.

Special care should be exercised in patients with underlying neurological conditions and in patients being treated with other centrally-acting drugs (see section 4.3)

Symptoms of Parkinson's disease may also be exacerbated by metoclopramide.

Methaemoglobinemia

Methemoglobinemia which could be related to NADH cytochrome b5 reductase deficiency has been reported. In such cases, metoclopramide should be immediately and permanently discontinued and appropriate measures initiated (such as treatment with methylene blue).

Cardiac Disorders

There have been reports of serious cardiovascular undesirable effects including cases of circulatory collapse, severe bradycardia, cardiac arrest and QT prolongation following administration of metoclopramide by injection, particularly via the intravenous route (see section 4.8).

Special care should be taken when administering metoclopramide, particularly via the intravenous route to the elderly population, to patients with cardiac conduction disturbances (including QT prolongation), patients with uncorrected electrolyte imbalance, bradycardia and those taking other drugs known to prolong QT interval (eg. class IA and III antiarrhythmics, tricyclic antidepressants, macrolides, antipsychotics (see section 4.8)).

Intravenous doses should be administered as a slow bolus (at least over 3 minutes) in order to reduce the risk of adverse effects (e.g. hypotension, akathisia).

Renal and Hepatic Impairment

In patients with renal impairment or with severe hepatic impairment, a dose reduction is recommended (see section 4.2).

Excipient warning:

Sodium benzoate (E211): This medicinal product contains 1.25mg sodium benzoate in each 5ml which is equivalent to 0.25mg/ml.

Sodium: This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per 5ml, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.

Contraindicated combination

Levodopa or dopaminergic agonists and metoclopramide have a mutual antagonism (see section 4.3).

Combination to be avoided

Alcohol potentiates the sedative effect of metoclopramide.

Combination to be taken into account

Due to the prokinetic effect of metoclopramide, the absorption of certain drugs may be modified.

Anticholinergics and morphine derivatives

Anticholinergics and morphine derivatives may have both a mutual antagonism with metoclopramide on the digestive tract motility.

Central nervous system depressants (morphine derivatives, anxiolytics, sedative H1 antihistamines, sedative antidepressants, barbiturates, clonidine and related)

Sedative effects of Central Nervous System depressants and metoclopramide are potentiated.

Neuroleptics

Metoclopramide may have an additive effect with other neuroleptics on the occurrence of extrapyramidal disorders.

Serotonergic drugs

The use of metoclopramide with serotonergic drugs such as SSRIs may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.

Digoxin

Metoclopramide may decrease digoxin bioavailability. Careful monitoring of digoxin plasma concentration is required.

Cyclosporine

Metoclopramide increases cyclosporine bioavailability (C_max by 46% and exposure by 22%). Careful monitoring of cyclosporine plasma concentration is required. The clinical consequence is uncertain.

Mivacurium and suxamethonium

Metoclopramide injection may prolong the duration of neuromuscular block (through inhibition of plasma cholinesterase).

Strong CYP2D6 inhibitors

Metoclopramide exposure levels are increased when co-administered with strong CYP2D6 inhibitors such as fluoxetine and paroxetine. Although the clinical significance is uncertain, patients should be monitored for adverse reactions.

Pregnancy

A large amount of data on pregnant women (more than 1000 exposed outcomes) indicates no malformative toxicity nor foetotoxicity. Metoclopramide can be used during pregnancy if clinically needed. Due to pharmacological properties (as other neuroleptics), in case of metoclopramide administration at the end of pregnancy, extrapyramidal syndrome in newborn cannot be excluded.

Metoclopramide should be avoided at the end of pregnancy. If metoclopramide is used, neonatal monitoring should be undertaken.

Breast-feeding

Metoclopramide is excreted in breast milk at low level. Adverse reactions in the breast-fed baby cannot be excluded. Therefore metoclopramide is not recommended during breastfeeding. Discontinuation of metoclopramide in breastfeeding women should be considered.

Metoclopramide may cause drowsiness, dizziness, dyskinesia and dystonias which could affect the vision and also interfere with the ability to drive and operate machinery.

Adverse reactions listed by System Organ Class. Frequencies are defined using the following convention: very common (≥ 1/10), common (≥ 1/100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to<1/100), rare (≥ 1/10,000 to<1/1,000), very rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

* Endocrine disorders during prolonged treatment in relation with hyperprolactinaemia (amenorrhoea, galactorrhoea, gynaecomastia).

The following reactions, sometimes associated, occur more frequently when high doses are used:

• Extrapyramidal symptoms: acute dystonia and dyskinesia, parkinsonian syndrome, akathisia, even following administration of a single dose of the medicinal product, particularly in children and young adults (see section 4.4).

• Drowsiness, decreased level of consciousness, confusion, hallucination.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions:

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme Website : www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

Symptoms

Extrapyramidal disorders, drowsiness, decreased level of consciousness, confusion, hallucination, and cardio-respiratory arrest may occur.

Management

In case of extrapyramidal symptoms related or not to overdose, the treatment is only symptomatic (benzodiazepines in children and/or anticholinergic anti-parkinsonian medicinal products in adults).

A symptomatic treatment and a continuous monitoring of the cardiovascular and respiratory functions should be carried out according to clinical status.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: preparations to combat nausea/vomiting.

ATC code: A03F A01

Metoclopramide is a substituted benzamide. It is used among other things because of its anti-emetic properties. The anti-emetic effect is the result of two mechanisms of action involving the central nervous system:

• antagonism of the dopaminergic D2 receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone and in the vomiting centre of the medulla, which is affected in apomorphine-induced vomiting;

• antagonism of the serotoninergic 5HT3 receptors and agonist effect on the 5HT4 receptors which are affected in chemotherapy-induced vomiting.

In addition to the central action, metoclopramide has a stimulant effect on gastrointestinal motility via a peripheral mechanism of action. There is an antidopaminergic effect and potentiation of the effect of acetylcholine. This causes accelerated emptying of the stomach and there is an increase in the pressure exerted by the lower oesophageal sphincter. Metoclopramide has no effect on gastric secretions.

Following oral administration the relative bioavailability compared with intravenous administration is 60 to 100%. Peak plasma concentrations are reached within 0.5 to 2 hours.

The distribution volume is 2-3 l/kg; 13-22% is bound to plasma proteins. Metoclopramide is excreted primarily in the urine, both in unchanged form and in sulfate or glucuronide conjugate form. The principal metabolite is an N-4 sulphur conjugate.

The plasma elimination half-life is 5 to 6 hours, irrespective of the route of administration.

Special patient populations

Renal impairment

The clearance of metoclopramide is reduced by up to 70% in patients with severe renal impairment, while the plasma elimination half-life is increased (approximately 10 hours for a creatinine clearance of 10-50 ml/minute and 15 hours for a creatinine clearance <10 mL/minute).

Hepatic impairment

In patients with cirrhosis of the liver accumulation of metoclopramide has been observed, associated with a 50% reduction in plasma clearance.

No abnormalities have been found in animal studies to indicate a safety risk in humans. This is based on data from pharmacological studies relating to safety, and data on toxicity following repeated administration, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity.

Sodium benzoate (E211)

Citric acid monohydrate (E330)

Sodium citrate (E331)

Saccharin sodium (E954)

Lemon flavour 13499 (containing propylene glycol (E1520), natural flavouring substances and flavouring preparation)

Purified water

Not applicable.

24 months

Shelf life after opening: 60 days

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

Bottle: Ph. Eur. Type III amber glass bottles

Closure: tamper evident, child resistant white plastic cap consists of a polypropylene inner, polyethylene outer and an expanded polyethylene (EPE) liner

Dosing Device: 5ml oral syringe with 0.2ml graduation marks and an LDPE syringe adaptor for bottle.

Pack size: 150ml

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.