Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Volume 7, Issue 10 , Page 1138, October 2009

Warnings on Metoclopramide Treatment

published online 08 May 2009.

Article Outline

 

Dear Editor:

In his discussions of treatment of diabetic gastroparesis, Dr Camilleri never clearly defines the use of metoclopramide.1, 2 Other articles have emphasized that treatment beyond 3 months is associated with a 1%–10% incidence of tardive dyskinesia.3, 4

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has now come out with a Black Box warning that must be attached to all metoclopramide labeling. Janet Woodcock, the director of the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, states, “The chronic use of metoclopramide therapy should be avoided in all but rare cases where the benefit is believed to outweigh the risk. The FDA wants patients and health-care professionals to know about this risk so they can make informed decisions about treatment.”5

Back to Article Outline

References 

  1. Camilleri M. The stomach in diabetes: from villain to ally. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2009;7:285–287
  2. Camilleri M. Clinical practice: diabetic gastroparesis. N Engl J Med. 2007;356:820–829
  3. Parkman HP, Hasler WL, Fisher RS. American Gastroenterological Association technical review on the diagnosis and treatment of gastroparesis. Gastroenterology. 2004;127:1592–1622
  4. Abell TL, Bernstein RK, Cutts T, et al. Treatment of gastroparesis: a multidisciplinary clinical review. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2006;18:263–283
  5. FDA News. FDA requires boxed warning and risk mitigation strategy for metoclopramide-containing drugs. February 26, 2009;

 Conflicts of interest The authors disclose no conflicts.

PII: S1542-3565(09)00434-0

doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2009.04.023

Refers to article:

  • The Stomach in Diabetes: From Villain to Ally , 11 November 2008

    Michael Camilleri
    Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology March 2009 (Vol. 7, Issue 3, Pages 285-287)

Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Volume 7, Issue 10 , Page 1138, October 2009