Metonia: Uses, How it Works, Dosage, Side Effects, Reviews
What is Metonia used for?
Metonia is a Canadian brand of Metoclopramide, a medication used to relieve heartburn and speed the healing of ulcers and sores in the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach) in people who have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD; a condition in which backward flow of acid from the stomach causes heartburn and injury of the esophagus) that did not get better with other treatments.
Metonia is also used to relieve symptoms caused by slow stomach emptying in people who have diabetes. These symptoms include nausea, vomiting, heartburn, loss of appetite, and a feeling of fullness that lasts long after meals. The active ingredient in Metonia (Metoclopramide) belongs to a class of medications called prokinetic agents.
What form(s) does Metonia come in?
Metonia comes in 3 forms namely:
- Metonia 5 mg tablets: A biconvex tablet, debossed “P” on one side and “M” over “5” on the other side, contains 5 mg of metoclopramide hydrochloride.
- Metonia 10 mg Tablets: A biconvex tablet, debossed “P” on one side and “M” scoreline “10” on the other side, contains 10 mg of metoclopramide hydrochloride.
- Metonia Liquid: Each mL of solution contains 1 mg of metoclopramide hydrochloride.
How does Metonia work?
Metonia mainly works as a dopamine antagonist (blocks dopamine). Dopamine is a chemical made by your brain that affects many parts of your body, including the digestive tract.
Dopamine normally slows down muscle movements in your gut, causing food to stay in your stomach longer. This can lead to nausea, vomiting, and heartburn. By blocking dopamine, Metonia helps speed up muscle movements in your gut and relieve these stomach-related symptoms.
Metonia also tightens a muscle in your gut to stop the backflow of stomach acid into your throat. This helps prevent heartburn.
How should I take Metonia?
Metonia comes as a tablet and a solution (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken 4 times a day on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before each meal and at bedtime. When metoclopramide is used to treat symptoms of GERD, it may be taken less frequently, especially if symptoms only occur at certain times of day.
Typical dosing for Metonia
Delayed stomach-emptying caused by diabetes:
• The typical dose is 10 mg by mouth 4 times daily for 2 to 8 weeks. It should be taken 30 minutes before meals and at bedtime. The maximum dose is 40 mg a day.
Severe acid reflux (gastroesophageal disease, GERD):
• Continuous symptoms: If you experience symptoms on and off throughout the day, the typical dose is 10 mg to 15 mg by mouth 4 times daily for 4 to 12 weeks. It should be taken 30 minutes before meals and at bedtime. The maximum dose is 60 mg a day.
• Occasional symptoms: If you experience symptoms only at certain times of the day, take up to 20 mg as a single dose before your symptoms appear.
Your dose might be lower if you are older than 65 years old, have liver or kidney conditions, or are taking medications that interact with Metonia.
Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Metonia exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
If you are taking Metonia to treat the symptoms of slow stomach emptying caused by diabetes, you should know that your symptoms will not improve all at once. You may notice that your nausea improves early in your treatment and continues to improve over the next 3 weeks. Your vomiting and loss of appetite may also improve early in your treatment, but it may take longer for your feeling of fullness to go away.
Continue to take Metonia even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Metonia without talking to your doctor. You may experience withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, nervousness, and headaches when you stop taking metoclopramide.
What are the side effects of Metonia?
Metonia oral 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 metoclopramide 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)
Frequently asked questions about Metonia
Does Metonia cause weight gain?
Yes, Metonia can cause weight gain. Studies in people taking metoclopramide indicate that an increase in the dose resulted in a 20% increase in the patient’s body weight over a 2-month period.
Although metoclopramide does not directly improve appetite, it has also been found to be effective at decreasing early satiety by stimulating gut motility. As a result, Metonia can make you lose weight or gain weight.
Can I still take Metonia for gastroparesis if I don’t have diabetes?
Currently, Metonia is only approved for diabetic gastroparesis. Even though most studies with this medication have focused on treating gastroparesis in people with diabetes, it has been prescribed off-label for treating gastroparesis in people without diabetes. There are many medications available to treat symptoms of gastroparesis, each with its individual safety risks. Discuss with your healthcare provider to see what is the best option for you.
Why is Metonia not a first-choice option to treat GERD?
Metonia is not the first-choice medication for GERD because it might cause some permanent and serious side effects, such as uncontrolled muscle movements. It also interacts with many medications, such as antipsychotics and antidepressants. Other medications that treat GERD, such as calcium carbonate (TUMS), famotidine (Pepcid AC), and omeprazole (Prilosec) have fewer risks for serious side effects compared with Metonia. If you’ve already tried other medications for GERD and they didn’t work well for you, talk to your healthcare provider to see if Metonia is a good option for you.
Can I use Metonia for nausea and vomiting?
Metonia has been prescribed off-label by providers for treating morning sickness during pregnancy and nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. It’s not a first-choice medication for nausea and vomiting because it interacts with many medications and might cause some permanent and serious side effects. Ask your provider if Metonia is appropriate for your nausea and vomiting.
What other forms of Metonia can I take if I have a hard time swallowing tablets?
Metonia is available as a liquid. The doses for Metonia liquid need to be accurately measured out before you take it. Talk to your healthcare provider about which form of Metonia is best for you.
