Metoclopramide

Indications

• • nausea and vomiting

  • facilitate gastric emptying in patients with gastroparesis

  • migrane

Administration/Absorption

Dosage

Distribution

Mechanism

• • antiemetic and gastroprokinetic agent

  • binds to dopamine D₂ receptors where it is a receptor antagonist, and is also a mixed 5-HT₃ receptor antagonist/5-HT₄ receptor agonist.

  • anti-emetic action of metoclopramide is due to its antagonist activity at D₂ receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) in the central nervous system (CNS)

    • this action prevents nausea and vomiting triggered by most stimuli.^[3]

  • At higher doses, 5-HT₃ antagonist activity may also contribute to the anti-emetic effect.

  • The prokinetic activity of metoclopramide is mediated by muscarinic activity, D₂ receptor antagonist activity and 5-HT₄ receptor agonist activity.^[4][5]

    • The prokinetic effect itself may also contribute to the anti-emetic effect.

Excretion

Side effects

Interactions

Contraindications