Reglan/Metoclopramide side effects?

I have been taking Reglan for almost 3 weeks and recently have been getting very nervous and agitated. I am starting to get quite stressed and having trouble relaxing. I have a history of anxiety and depression and have been feeling quite unwell so my anxiety has naturally been a bit worse but in the last few days it is becoming a big problem affecting my sleep too. It is listed as a side effect of Reglan that it causes anxiety but also says u can get withdrawal symptoms by suddenly stopping it. I don't know what to do, I haven't taken any since yesterday and if I dont keep myself distracted by playing games and stuff then I get really stressed, my throat feels all tight and I get worse heartburn and stuff.

I'm going to see my Dr tomorrow but could this be a side effect of the Reglan? Am I right to just stop taking it?

Hi Andy,

I took Reglan for 3 years with no obvious side effects. I know it can create neurological issues, and if any crop up they need to be reported immediately. I know it's not a popular drug because of these possible effects, but can be very helpful to some people, allowing for faster stomach emptying.

Definitely report your symptoms. Drugs always have a risk/benefit ratio that needs to be considered.

Good luck!
Denise

I'm still getting a bit of anxiety at times but not having any more of these sudden panics so I think it was the Reglan. Still some residual unease though I guess it brought back bad memories of when I had anxiety bad. Managing to keep it under control though.

I took domperidone for years with no problems. I used it when I had flare ups and because it emptied my stomach quickly it made me feel better. I didn't have any side effects.

When I started my most recent flare up in September last year I went to get domperidone again but they have taken it off the approved drug list in the UK. So I was given metoclopramide. I, like you, already suffer with anxiety issues. They got so much worse on Reglan. I was so restless I couldn't do anything. I remember being at work so anxious that I couldn't concentrate and had to go home. I would then lay on my bed feeling too wired to go to sleep but unable to do much else. It was horrible. I was suffering with a flare up of my anxiety but eventually I realised that I got these horrible attacks about 30 mins to an hour after taking reglan. I stopped taking it and those horrible attacks stopped. I continued to have anxiety for another month but I don't know if that was the original anxiety I was suffering or whether it was made worse by reglan. I think it is a horrible drug for side effects even though what they do are brilliant.

erica - if only they could come up with something like that!

Hi Andy,

Sorry to hear your anxiety issues were giving you fits. My husband has struggled with anxiety his whole life, and now he has a-fib, which is triggered by anxiety (along with other random times it bothers him). Anxiety is so hard to live with, and I totally understand your struggle.

I agree...that class of medication is really helpful, yet the side effects can be really difficult. Anxiety is at least not permanent. I took it 3+ years without a problem, but I know you can get neurological tics, etc. that can be long-lasting.

Hope all is well with everyone!
Take care,
Denise