METOCLOPRAMIDE

85/100 · Critical

Manufactured by ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Metoclopramide Adverse Events: High Seriousness and Diverse Reactions

156,854 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About METOCLOPRAMIDE

METOCLOPRAMIDE is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Based on analysis of 156,854 FDA adverse event reports, METOCLOPRAMIDE has a safety score of 85 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for METOCLOPRAMIDE include TARDIVE DYSKINESIA, EXTRAPYRAMIDAL DISORDER, NERVOUS SYSTEM DISORDER, DYSTONIA, PAIN. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for METOCLOPRAMIDE.

AI Safety Analysis

Metoclopramide has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 156,854 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Ani Pharmaceuticals, Inc..

The most commonly reported adverse events include Tardive Dyskinesia, Extrapyramidal Disorder, Nervous System Disorder. Of classified reports, 94.5% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Metoclopramide is associated with a high number of serious adverse events, particularly Tardive Dyskinesia and Extrapyramidal Disorder.

The drug has a wide range of reactions, including neurological, gastrointestinal, and systemic effects. Report volume is substantial, with over 150,000 total reports, indicating widespread use and potential for adverse events.

Patients taking Metoclopramide should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Metoclopramide can cause serious neurological side effects such as Tardive Dyskinesia and Extrapyramidal Disorder. It is important to monitor patients for these conditions, especially those with prolonged use. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 85/100

Metoclopramide received a safety concern score of 85/100 (high concern). This is based on a 94.5% serious event ratio across 53,273 classified reports. The score accounts for 156,854 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

TARDIVE DYSKINESIA13,206 reports
EXTRAPYRAMIDAL DISORDER11,629 reports
NERVOUS SYSTEM DISORDER7,175 reports
DYSTONIA6,661 reports
PAIN4,663 reports
NAUSEA3,909 reports
ECONOMIC PROBLEM3,756 reports
ANXIETY3,175 reports
VOMITING3,129 reports
MOVEMENT DISORDER2,869 reports
ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING IMPAIRED2,759 reports
DIARRHOEA2,650 reports
DYSKINESIA2,561 reports
INCORRECT DRUG ADMINISTRATION DURATION2,488 reports
DEFORMITY2,327 reports
FATIGUE2,130 reports
MULTIPLE INJURIES2,127 reports
PYREXIA2,071 reports
OFF LABEL USE2,061 reports
QUALITY OF LIFE DECREASED2,037 reports
DYSPNOEA2,030 reports
FEBRILE NEUTROPENIA2,014 reports
TREMOR1,991 reports
FAMILY STRESS1,920 reports
EMOTIONAL DISTRESS1,902 reports
FEAR1,690 reports
ASTHENIA1,644 reports
ANHEDONIA1,637 reports
AKATHISIA1,603 reports
HEADACHE1,545 reports
PNEUMONIA1,516 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY1,501 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN1,425 reports
CONSTIPATION1,400 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE1,349 reports
ANAEMIA1,300 reports
DRUG INTERACTION1,287 reports
DIZZINESS1,239 reports
DEATH1,235 reports
DECREASED APPETITE1,230 reports
UNEVALUABLE EVENT1,139 reports
MALAISE1,136 reports
DEPRESSION1,091 reports
HYPOTENSION1,050 reports
EMOTIONAL DISORDER1,033 reports
DEHYDRATION1,032 reports
RENAL FAILURE1,001 reports
MENTAL DISORDER970 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED968 reports
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE941 reports
FALL939 reports
NEUTROPENIA922 reports
INJURY904 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED895 reports
NEUROPATHY PERIPHERAL874 reports
RASH853 reports
BACK PAIN832 reports
SEPSIS799 reports
HYPERTENSION797 reports
THROMBOCYTOPENIA794 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION793 reports
COUGH786 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE783 reports
ARTHRALGIA758 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION747 reports
TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS734 reports
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT729 reports
HYPOKALAEMIA705 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER700 reports
CHEST PAIN693 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY660 reports
RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME614 reports
HYPONATRAEMIA611 reports
PRURITUS600 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION593 reports
INSOMNIA592 reports
SOMNOLENCE578 reports
PULMONARY EMBOLISM551 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL540 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY536 reports
TACHYCARDIA535 reports
MALIGNANT NEOPLASM PROGRESSION525 reports
OVERDOSE522 reports
DISEASE PROGRESSION516 reports
FOETAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY514 reports
DYSPHAGIA511 reports
HAEMOGLOBIN DECREASED505 reports
PLATELET COUNT DECREASED505 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS487 reports
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION481 reports
IMPAIRED WORK ABILITY481 reports
HYPERHIDROSIS477 reports
CARDIAC ARREST471 reports
SEROTONIN SYNDROME466 reports
PLEURAL EFFUSION463 reports
RESPIRATORY FAILURE461 reports
MUCOSAL INFLAMMATION460 reports
PANCYTOPENIA459 reports
ABDOMINAL DISTENSION456 reports
ERYTHEMA445 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • Tardive Dyskinesia and Extrapyramidal Disorder are key safety signals, with high counts and serious nature.
  • Multiple serious reactions, including death, pneumonia, and renal failure, are reported.
  • A diverse range of reactions, including neurological, gastrointestinal, and systemic effects, are observed.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 30,007, Male: 18,699, Unknown: 1,348. The most frequently reported age groups are age 69 (803 reports), age 67 (775 reports), age 66 (758 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 53,273 classified reports for METOCLOPRAMIDE:

  • Serious: 50,338 reports (94.5%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 2,935 reports (5.5%)
Serious 94.5%Non-Serious 5.5%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female30,007 (59.9%)
Male18,699 (37.4%)
Unknown1,348 (2.7%)

Reports by Age

Age 69803 reports
Age 67775 reports
Age 66758 reports
Age 61757 reports
Age 71732 reports
Age 62727 reports
Age 68725 reports
Age 72719 reports
Age 65716 reports
Age 73698 reports
Age 59680 reports
Age 57671 reports
Age 54667 reports
Age 70659 reports
Age 64651 reports
Age 58641 reports
Age 60636 reports
Age 75636 reports
Age 63625 reports
Age 56618 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Metoclopramide can cause serious neurological side effects such as Tardive Dyskinesia and Extrapyramidal Disorder. It is important to monitor patients for these conditions, especially those with prolonged use.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Metoclopramide, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include tardive dyskinesia, extrapyramidal disorder, nervous system disorder, dystonia, pain. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Patients should inform their healthcare provider about any existing neurological conditions before starting Metoclopramide. Regular monitoring for signs of Tardive Dyskinesia and Extrapyramidal Disorder is recommended, especially in elderly patients. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA continues to monitor Metoclopramide for safety, particularly for serious neurological and gastrointestinal side effects. Healthcare providers should report any adverse events to the FDA's MedWatch program.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Metoclopramide?

The FDA has received approximately 156,854 adverse event reports associated with Metoclopramide. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Metoclopramide?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Metoclopramide include Tardive Dyskinesia, Extrapyramidal Disorder, Nervous System Disorder, Dystonia, Pain. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Tardive Dyskinesia (13,206 reports), Extrapyramidal Disorder (11,629 reports), Nervous System Disorder (7,175 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Metoclopramide.

What percentage of Metoclopramide adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 53,273 classified reports, 50,338 (94.5%) were classified as serious and 2,935 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Metoclopramide (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Metoclopramide break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 30,007, Male: 18,699, Unknown: 1,348. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Metoclopramide?

The most frequently reported age groups for Metoclopramide adverse events are: age 69: 803 reports, age 67: 775 reports, age 66: 758 reports, age 61: 757 reports, age 71: 732 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Metoclopramide?

The primary manufacturer associated with Metoclopramide adverse event reports is Ani Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Metoclopramide?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Metoclopramide include: Nausea, Economic Problem, Anxiety, Vomiting, Movement Disorder. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Metoclopramide?

You can report adverse events from Metoclopramide to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Metoclopramide's safety score and what does it mean?

Metoclopramide has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Metoclopramide is associated with a high number of serious adverse events, particularly Tardive Dyskinesia and Extrapyramidal Disorder.

What are the key safety signals for Metoclopramide?

Key safety signals identified in Metoclopramide's adverse event data include: Tardive Dyskinesia and Extrapyramidal Disorder are key safety signals, with high counts and serious nature.. Multiple serious reactions, including death, pneumonia, and renal failure, are reported.. A diverse range of reactions, including neurological, gastrointestinal, and systemic effects, are observed.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Metoclopramide interact with other drugs?

Metoclopramide can cause serious neurological side effects such as Tardive Dyskinesia and Extrapyramidal Disorder. It is important to monitor patients for these conditions, especially those with prolonged use. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Metoclopramide.

What should patients know before taking Metoclopramide?

Patients should inform their healthcare provider about any existing neurological conditions before starting Metoclopramide. Regular monitoring for signs of Tardive Dyskinesia and Extrapyramidal Disorder is recommended, especially in elderly patients.

Are Metoclopramide side effects well-documented?

Metoclopramide has 156,854 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. The drug has a wide range of reactions, including neurological, gastrointestinal, and systemic effects. The volume of reports for Metoclopramide reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Metoclopramide?

The FDA continues to monitor Metoclopramide for safety, particularly for serious neurological and gastrointestinal side effects. Healthcare providers should report any adverse events to the FDA's MedWatch program. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to METOCLOPRAMIDE based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

HaloperidolRisperidoneAripiprazole
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.