What is ADCO Contromet?
ADCO Contromet is a prescription medicine containing metoclopramide, an antiemetic agent and dopamine D2 antagonist. ADCO Contromet is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that causes symptoms. GERD occurs when acid flows up from your stomach. This causes heartburn. It may also harm your esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach). This drug is used to relieve heartburn and heal sores in your esophagus when other treatments haven’t worked.
ADCO Contromet is also used to treat diabetic gastroparesis. Gastroparesis happens when your stomach takes too long to empty its contents. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, heartburn, loss of appetite, and feeling full long after meals. This drug may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications to treat your condition.
How does ADCO Contromet work?
ADCO Contromet belongs to classes of drugs called antiemetics and prokinetics. Antiemetics are used to reduce nausea and vomiting, and prokinetics are used to empty the contents of your stomach faster. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.
This drug works by emptying the contents of your stomach. It does this by increasing your stomach muscle contractions. This speeds up the movement of food through your stomach and intestines. It also increases the tightness of your lower esophageal sphincter (the muscle connecting your esophagus and stomach). This stops stomach acid from flowing back up to your esophagus. This drug also prevents nausea and vomiting. It does this by blocking receptors in your body that are responsible for triggering nausea and vomiting.
How to take ADCO Contromet
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking metoclopramide and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually up to 4 times daily (at least 30 minutes before meals and at bedtime).
Do not remove the tablet from the blister pack until right before your dose. Dry your hands before using this medication. Do not use the tablet if it is broken or crumbled. After removing the tablet from the blister pack, place it on your tongue right away. Allow it to dissolve completely, then swallow it with saliva. You do not need to take this product with water.
The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Because of the risk of tardive dyskinesia, do not take this drug more often, in larger doses, or for longer than directed by your doctor.
If heartburn only occurs at certain times (such as after the evening meal), your doctor may direct you to take a single dose before those times instead of taking it throughout the day. This will reduce your risk of side effects.
To treat diabetic gastroparesis, this medication is usually taken for 2 to 8 weeks until your gut is working well. This condition may recur from time to time. Your doctor may direct you to start taking this medication as soon as your symptoms reappear and stop when you feel better. Ask your doctor for directions for starting and stopping this medication.
If directed, take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.
If you suddenly stop using this medication, you may have withdrawal symptoms (such as dizziness, nervousness, headaches). To help prevent withdrawal, your doctor may lower your dose slowly. Withdrawal is more likely if you have used metoclopramide for a long time or in high doses. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you have withdrawal.
Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.
Special considerations
If your creatinine clearance is below 60 mL/min, your doctor will give you about half of the typical starting dosage. They may change your dosage based on how your body responds to the drug.
ADCO Contromet side effects
ADCO Contromet oral tablet may cause drowsiness. Some people may have dizziness, nervousness, or headaches after they stop taking this drug. It can also cause other side effects.
More common side effects
The more common side effects of ADCO Contromet can include:
- headache
- confusion
- trouble sleeping
- dizziness
- restlessness
- sleepiness
- exhaustion
If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
Depression and suicide. Symptoms can include:
- sadness
- lack of motivation
- thoughts of harming or killing yourself
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (nervous system disorder). Symptoms can include:
- high fever
- stiff muscles
- trouble thinking
- fast or irregular heart rate
- increased sweating
Tardive dyskinesia, a movement disorder that can be permanent. Symptoms can include repeated, uncontrollable movements such as:
- movement in the face, such as blinking, grimacing, or sticking out your tongue
- slow or fast, jerky movements of the arms and legs
Parkinsonism (symptoms similar to those caused by Parkinson’s disease). Symptoms can include:
- shaking
- body stiffness
- slow movement
- trouble keeping your balance
- blank stare with an open mouth
Allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:
- rash
- hives
- trouble breathing
- swelling of your tongue, lips, or throat
Hyperprolactinemia (increased levels of the hormone prolactin). Symptoms can include:
- menstrual problems or vaginal dryness in women
- erectile dysfunction, decreased body hair and muscle mass, and increased breast size in men
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there)
ADCO Contromet may interact with other medications
ADCO Contromet oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.
To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with ADCO Contromet are listed below.
Taking ADCO Contromet with certain medications raises your risk of side effects from ADCO Contromet. Examples of these drugs include:
Sedatives, hypnotics, narcotics, antihistamines, and tranquilizers. These include:
- diazepam
- lorazepam
- hydroxyzine
- phenobarbital
- promethazine
- scopolamine
- eszopiclone
- temazepam
- zaleplon
- zolpidem
- meperidine
- propofol
- meprobamate
Taking any of these drugs with ADCO Contromet may increase drowsiness.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). These include:
- isocarboxazid
- phenylzine
- rasagiline
- selegiline
- tranylcypromine
Taking these drugs with ADCO Contromet may increase your blood pressure.
Interactions that increase your risk of side effects from other drugs
Taking ADCO Contromet with certain medications raises your risk of side effects from these drugs. Examples of these drugs include:
Tetracycline. ADCO Contromet increases how much tetracycline your body absorbs. This may increase your risk of side effects of tetracycline, such as diarrhea and vomiting.
Cyclosporine. ADCO Contromet may increase the levels of cyclosporine in your body. This may raise your risk of kidney problems, digestion problems, and tingling (pins and needles) feeling caused by damage to your nerves.
Insulin. ADCO Contromet affects how food moves through your body. This may change your blood sugar levels. You may have higher blood sugar levels because food is moving through your stomach and entering your bloodstream faster. Your doctor may adjust your dose of insulin.
Interactions that can make your drugs less effective
When ADCO Contromet is used with certain drugs, it may not work as well to treat your condition. Examples of these drugs include:
Anticholinergics. These include atropine, benztropine, darifenacin, dicyclomine, fesoterodine, glycopyrrolate, hyoscyamine, methscopolamine, oxybutynin, tolterodine, scopolamine, solifenacin, trihexyphenidyl, and trospium.
Narcotics (pain drugs). These include codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, meperidine, methadone, morphine, and oxycodone.
When certain drugs are used with ADCO Contromet, they may not work as well. This is because the amount of these drugs in your body may be decreased. Examples of these drugs include:
Digoxin. Your doctor should monitor your digoxin blood levels closely.
Levodopa. ADCO Contromet reduces the effect that levodopa has on your body. Your doctor may avoid using this drug with ADCO Contromet.
ADCO Contromet warnings
ADCO Contromet oral tablet comes with several warnings. Call your doctor if your symptoms don’t improve after taking this drug.
Allergy warning
ADCO Contromet can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:
- trouble breathing
- rash
- hives
- swelling of your throat or tongue
If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).
Alcohol interaction
Drinking alcohol can increase the side effects of sleepiness, dizziness, and confusion from ADCO Contromet. If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor.
Warnings for people with certain health conditions
For people with stomach or intestinal problems: This drug increases the movement of food in your digestive tract. If you have bleeding, tears or holes, or a blockage in your stomach or intestines, taking this drug may be dangerous. Ask your doctor if this drug is safe for you.
For people with pheochromocytoma (tumor that releases hormones): You shouldn’t use this drug. This drug increases your risk of dangerously high blood pressure. This puts you at risk for a stroke.
For people with seizures: If you have a history of seizures, you shouldn’t use this drug. It may cause you to have more seizures.
For people with drug-induced movement disorders: If you’re taking medications for drug-induced movement disorders, you shouldn’t use this drug. It may increase the severity of the movement disorders.
For people with Parkinson’s disease: This drug may make your Parkinson’s disease symptoms worse.
For people with hypertension (high blood pressure): This drug may increase your blood pressure. Ask your doctor if this drug is safe for you.
For people with liver damage or congestive heart failure: This drug may make liver damage or heart failure worse. It increases fluid buildup in your body. If this happens, call your doctor and stop taking this drug.
For people with kidney problems: You may not be able to clear this drug from your body well. This may increase the levels of this drug in your body. This can cause more side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lower dose.
For people with breast cancer: This drug increases prolactin levels in your body. Prolactin is a hormone that may be responsible for cancerous breast tumors. Tell your doctor if you have a history of breast cancer before starting this drug.
Warnings for other groups
For pregnant women: Studies of ADCO Contromet in pregnant animals haven’t shown a risk to the fetus. However, there aren’t enough studies done in pregnant women to show if the drug poses a risk to the fetus.
Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This drug should be used only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
For women who are breastfeeding: ADCO Contromet passes into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your child. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication.
For seniors: The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects.
If you’re older than 65 years of age, you should take the lowest dose of ADCO Contromet that is effective for you. As your dose increases, your risk of symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease (shaking, body stiffness, moving slowly, and staring blankly with your mouth open) increases. You’re also at a greater risk for uncontrolled movements of your face, tongue, arms, and legs. This effect may be permanent. This drug can also cause confusion in seniors.
For children: This drug hasn’t been studied in children. It shouldn’t be used in people younger than 18 years. This drug may be more likely to cause movement disorders in children than in adults.
