Metoclopramide and Dizziness: What Users Say

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2020

Metoclopramide "Please do not take this drug, Reglan! I was given it in an IV for headaches, but this drug gave me the worst feeling I have ever had in my life! I thought I was going to die! Immediately, it gave me a hot feeling going through my body like when you take the dye before having an MRI scan. I felt dizzy, confused, depressed, and could not even think properly. I could not carry on a conversation! I could not feel my feet, and I had trouble moving my legs. I prayed for relief from these side effects! This drug is awful! There is no way I can describe how it made me feel! I honestly would not take it again for a billion dollars! Please do not give this drug to any patients and make sure you do not let anyone give it to you! This drug is horrific! About 10 hours later, I am okay now. And I thank God I made it through that horrible experience! Never again!!!!"

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2019

Metoclopramide for Migraine "I went to the local quick care emergency room with a severe headache and pain. I was having nausea as well. They came in and gave me a dose of IV Reglan, and within seconds I was freaking out, trying to pull my IV out and yelling that I needed to get out of there. I was dizzy, disoriented, and felt like I was on some serious drugs. I was having severe anxiety, and I felt like my heart was going to explode. I have never reacted this way to any drug, and it was a terrifying experience. I would not recommend this POS medication to anyone, please be careful, especially if you have preexisting anxiety!!"

• OKa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 29, 2017

Metoclopramide for Migraine "Went to ER with a terrible migraine and vomiting. I was given the cocktail of Reglan and Benadryl. I have ended up having the worst reaction ever and scared to death. My heartbeat went to 140+, I had uncontrolled muscle movement, dizziness, had a feeling I was going to pass out, my limbs were shaking enormously, I couldn't produce words to explain what was happening either!"

• Jad...
• July 30, 2020

Metoclopramide "I went in for surgery yesterday, and I was fine all the way up until the nurse gave me Reglan. The medication was given orally, and it tasted terrible! I was fine for about three minutes after taking this medicine. The first thing I noticed was that I became dizzy. I tried to wait it out, but couldn’t, so I said something to the nurse about it. She took my BP, it was elevated. Then I became short of breath, even with the oxygen on. I had to take it off! Then the worst feeling I’ve ever felt came over me. I had this sense that I had to get out of there right then and there. The “walls” were closing in on me. I felt like I was going to die, it just felt like I was doomed, and nothing could stop me from dying. She tried to tell me that it was the medication and offered to give me a “happy” pill, but I wasn’t trying to hear that, because in my head, I felt like if I went under, I wasn’t going to wake up. I’ve had open-heart surgery, and I don’t recall feeling that way at all!"

• Cra...
• September 15, 2009

Metoclopramide for Nausea/Vomiting "Side effects were - confused, disoriented, dizzy, unable to concentrate or remember what I meant to do next. Unable to remember words or communicate effectively. Eyes feel unfocused. Slight muscle twitches, dry mouth, and extreme drowsiness. Thank goodness I do not have to drive myself home from work! However, the nausea and vomiting has stopped."

• Kal...
• May 22, 2021

Metoclopramide for Migraine "I suffer from hemiplegic migraines and had a very bad attack yesterday late morning. I went to the hospital where I was given an IV push of Benadryl, Toradol, and Reglan. As soon as she started the IV and walked out of the room, I had a horrible feeling come over my whole body. My legs felt like they were on fire, and I felt as if I was going crazy. I tried to relax and shake it off, but the feeling wouldn’t go away, and I became dizzy and almost delusional. I called my wife to tell her what was going on, and she told me to hit the call button, so I called the nurse back in and told her how I was feeling, and she said the Reglan has that effect on some people. She pushed Ativan to counteract it. It was a scary feeling."

• Mac...
• April 12, 2013

For Migraine "I too received a Reglan (metoclopramide) with Benadryl IV when treated in the ER. I was warned that this medication would make me extremely drowsy, and it did. I also have to say I felt an extreme restlessness almost as instantly as I felt the medication reach my veins. I remember my husband holding my hand and rubbing my back and telling me to settle down because I became antsy. I was thrashing a little and tossing and turning in the bed. I think we experience this because the medication comes on so strongly, and your first instinct is to try to fight how you're feeling, and it gives you extreme fatigue, which I believe gives a false sensation of dizziness and that you're falling, which I believe is what causes the anxiousness and restlessness."

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2022

Metoclopramide for Nausea/Vomiting "Just like many others have said, I was given this in the ER for nausea and vomiting. TERRIBLE!!!! Do NOT let a doctor give you this medicine!!!! It makes you feel mentally insane and violently ill! Your entire body shakes, intense muscle cramping and contortions, nerve pain, panic attacks, have the urge to rip out the IV and escape the hospital bed, dizzy, confusion, uncontrollable body movements. Like many others have said as well, this medication can truly be PTSD inducing, especially if you have a history of anxiety/depression. I thought I was insane until I saw the amount of people with the same bizarre side effects. And it didn't even touch my nausea or vomiting issue in the slightest! Can't believe this medication is even used still in ER or hospital settings. Stick to safe nausea medications like Zofran (ondansetron). The only one I trust, even if it doesn't always work. At least it won't drive you to insanity."

• Ele...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2023

Metoclopramide for Migraine "This drug needs to be removed from the market. I experienced a concussion and was administered this medication intravenously in the emergency room for migraine and nausea. Immediately after receiving the drug, I felt dizzy and as though I was going to faint. Within minutes, my heart rate skyrocketed to 190 bpm, and I had the worst panic attack I have ever experienced, and I am a combat veteran. My entire body began shaking uncontrollably, and all of my muscles clenched up tightly. This continued for around 45 minutes. The medical staff provided Benadryl to 'reduce' the side effects, and the doctor informed me that 'those side effects are normal.' Are you kidding me? They did not even ask whether I had a history of anxiety or mental illness. Unfortunately, I suffer from anxiety disorder and PTSD, and this experience triggered a significant PTSD episode with crippling anxiety that persisted for over two months after taking this medication. If you have pre-existing anxiety, avoid this medication."

• nev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2022

Metoclopramide for Nausea/Vomiting "Last night, I was in the ER for nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Reglan was added after Zofran and meclizine didn’t totally resolve symptoms. Same as others, I experienced the worst agitation of my life. Screaming, thrashing, begging them to knock me unconscious. It was horrific. They gave me Ativan and Benadryl, eventually, I fell asleep. They said, oh, some people react this way. I can’t believe they continue to use a drug that does this."

• von...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 11, 2019

Metoclopramide for Nausea/Vomiting, Postoperative "Reglan is the only medication that has ever worked for me post-operatively. Phenergan gives me hallucinations, and Zomig doesn't work at all. Every other surgery I've ever had, I couldn't use the pain pump because I would vomit so severely or become so dizzy from the medication that they would give me for the vomiting that made me sick. This was a godsend for me."

• Can...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2020

For Migraine "Awful medication. I still can't get over the reaction I had to it. Went to the ER on Friday because I'm 9 months pregnant and my BP had skyrocketed. I only had a small headache, but they insisted on giving me this Reglan rubbish and Benadryl via IV. As soon as it went into my system, a nightmare broke loose. I felt dizzy, panicked, and started to shiver badly. Fight or flight kicked in, and I almost ripped the IV out. My poor husband just kept saying, 'just calm down.' Yeah, right... I was sure they were trying to kill me and my baby, and I just kept saying, 'I want to go home' and 'get this sh*t out of me, they're killing me.' Finally, the nurse came back, saw what was happening, and flushed the IV line, all while nonchalantly telling me about how another patient had this reaction and ripped their clothes off. Nice! I felt better after the flush in about 5 minutes. After this, I will insist on knowing what drugs they give me. No Reglan or metoclopramide ever. Ban this stuff!"

• Jew...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2020

For Migraine "I took my son to the hospital because he was having persistent headaches. They gave him a cocktail of Benadryl and Reglan. Immediately after the administration of Reglan, he started acting funny, eyeballs wide, saying, 'I feel dizzy,' saying, 'I wanna go home,' trying to say he needed to use the bathroom at the same time, acting nervous and scared. He has used Benadryl in the past, so I know this med was not the issue. It was terrible for him, and I would not recommend this drug to anyone."

• Moa...
• November 8, 2018

Metoclopramide for Migraine "The urgent care center gave me a shot of Reglan and Toradol in my backside and Benadryl. The meds burned going in, but within 20 minutes, my migraine had subsided. Went home, slept. Next morning, woke up, got ready, feeling groggy, my chest was tight. I went to work and felt jittery, nauseous, dizzy, then later I got very hot, cold, and sweaty. Then I turned white as a sheet and got full body tremors. I had to be picked up from work and brought back to urgent care. Got to urgent care and they gave me Ativan and said I had an anxiety attack. The only thing that was different in my body/life was the fact that my migraine was now gone and was treated with those drugs. I'm not totally discounting the fact that I had an anxiety attack. In fact, it makes total sense the way I was feeling, but I definitely believe this drug triggered something unholy and terrifying to happen in my body. It did get rid of my migraine (which was the reason I needed it), I am grateful for that, but I was not aware of any adverse effects."

• Mrs...
• July 23, 2015

For Nausea/Vomiting "I had a virus and felt sick for several days, yet couldn't bring anything up, which made me feel worse. The doctor gave me metoclopramide. The sickness went after a day or two, but I had the most awful side effects. I felt all wobbly from head to toe, and it was the most uncomfortable feeling ever. I felt uncoordinated, like I'd become a puppet and had no control over my limbs. I had a sleepless night and went to see my doctor, who prescribed me codeine. That got rid of it, but it was such a dreadful feeling. If ever I get it again, I'll just stick to sucking mints and taking Alka-Seltzer."

• Mrs...
• July 23, 2015

For Nausea/Vomiting "I had a virus and felt sick for several days, yet couldn't bring anything up, which made me feel worse. The doctor gave me metoclopramide. The sickness went after a day or two, but I had the most awful side effects. I felt all wobbly from head to toe, and it was the most uncomfortable feeling ever. I felt uncoordinated, like I'd become a puppet and had no control over my limbs. I had a sleepless night and went to see my doctor, who prescribed me codeine. That got rid of it, but it was such a dreadful feeling. If ever I get it again, I'll just stick to sucking mints and taking Alka-Seltzer."

• Spu...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 5, 2018

For Gastroparesis "My stomach doctor put me on this medicine. Having tons of trouble with my stomach since my gallbladder and gastric sleeve surgery. I am in constant pain. I take Prozac for PTSD, depression, and anxiety. I am willing to try new meds. This stuff made my skin crawl. I had the worst panic attack I have ever experienced. It made my stomach hurt worse. Felt dizzy and couldn't think right. Gave me a bad headache. Worst ever. I was taken to the ER where I was given Ativan and then some Valium. Stopped taking it, and within a few days, everything was okay."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2022

Metoclopramide for Nausea/Vomiting, Postoperative "OMG. Went to the ER anxious about my pain, but it was tolerable. Dr. ordered fluids, Benadryl, and Reglan through an IV. First, the nurse came and gave me the first two and said she forgot the Reglan, she’ll be right back. The nurse came back and injected the Reglan. HOLY MOLY. It took a minute, but seconds after the ultrasound tech came in to grab me. I told her, while walking down the hall, I felt extremely dizzy and I wanted to pass out. She laid me down on her table and impending DOOM set in. I felt the most anxious I’ve ever felt, she told me, 'What did they give you?' and I said Reglan. She admittedly said, 'Oh no, here, let me speed up your fluid bag and let’s flush it out ASAP.' I said, 'Ok,' as I panicked on her table. I never felt anything like this. I have anxiety, but this was awful. She put a cold face cloth on my head and gave me 10 minutes. It worked. I had a racing heart. Sweaty, dizzy, I just couldn’t move. Never again. Apparently, this is super common. I was close to walking out of the ER."

• Don...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 5, 2017

For Nausea/Vomiting "The hospital put it in my IV drip when I went in the other day for severe dehydration due to hyperemesis gravidarum, and it made me feel restless and dizzy and confused, along with extremely tight stomach pain, unlike any stomach pain I’ve had before. They prescribed it to me when we left (not making it clear that it was the same drug they put in my IV), and at home it made my nausea 10x worse. I couldn’t even keep water down, and the stomach pain was beyond unbearable. Only after missing my last dose of the evening was I able to finally get down some water and keep it down. Reglan is just horrible."

• Anonymous
• March 9, 2021

Metoclopramide for Migraine "Went to the ER for a horrible migraine that would not go away. Doctor gave me a 'migraine cocktail,' and Reglan was part of it. THE WORST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE! I honestly feel like I have some PTSD symptoms from this experience. Gave me through IV and instantly started to have a panic attack. I felt so restless, like my bones wanted to jump out of my skin, couldn’t get comfortable, had to repeatedly get out of my bed and pace the room, this combined with dizziness was horrible. My heart rate also skyrocketed to 140 and stayed in that range all night according to my Fitbit. Two weeks after the ER visit, every time I stood up or did any type of activity, my heart would go to 160-180. I ended up back in the ER 4 times after this experience because of my heart. I’ve never had heart problems before taking this medication! It took around 2 months for me to start to feel normal again."

• Man...
• August 7, 2019

For Migraine "Was given metoclopramide IV for a severe headache. Within 30-60 minutes, I became restless, dizzy, felt like I wanted to leave, and my hands started buzzing. I became hot and started sweating a lot. I am very thankful that my doctor and nurse recognized this as Extra Pyramidal Symptoms (EPS) and immediately gave me a dose of IV Benadryl to counteract the effects. The Benadryl made me very woozy and lightheaded, but within 30 minutes, I felt better. My headache was relieved. Overall, this drug was effective at treating my headache, but the EPS was scary to go through. I would recommend discussing side effects with your doctor and ensuring that these symptoms are recognized for what they are, as they were easily reversed for me."

• Jen...
• July 3, 2019

For Migraine "I had a horrible pain in the right side of my head that woke me from my sleep. Several hours and home medications later, it still wouldn't go away. Went to the ER and received a combination of Zofran, Reglan, and Benadryl. She warned me that the Benadryl may make me feel loopy. Immediately when she pushed the Reglan, I felt warmth across my chest and dizzy, to which she said was normal and walked out. I was in my room alone when I heard my heart begin racing, pulse nearing 160 was terrifying. They came in and sat with me and told me it would wear off quickly, but I understand now reading everyone's comments about the get up and go syndrome. This was terrifying, and I felt like I was going to die. If this happens to so many people, it is beyond me why someone didn't explain that I still had the headache, but was so happy when the medication wore off."

• Con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2025

For Nausea/Vomiting "I worried about the side effects mostly. I am taking 10 mg 3x daily. I have a lesion in my brain. It's in an area that affects speech, sleep, and hunger. Deep in the brain. I am waiting for an MRI to see what it is in more detail. This works well enough. It does make me dizzy. My kidneys were suffering after a month of diphenhydramine/dimenhydrinate. I might switch to a 5-HT3 blocker instead of this D2 blocker, as I cannot take this for more than 6 weeks. H1 antihistamines are not helpful. I haven't had any bad side effects. It has stopped me from throwing up. But I'm waiting a month for the MRI, I'll have to stop these shortly after and switch to a different medication, according to the directions."

• WOR...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2022

For Nausea/Vomiting "I was admitted to the emergency department for intense vomiting due to general anesthesia drugs. They gave me this medication through an IV and almost instantly, my body went into complete shock. It's a difficult feeling to describe, and I've never felt anything like this before. I was screaming, moving around, feeling a bit dizzy, sick, and it felt like I wanted to rip my skin out. The feeling was insufferable. It was like the feeling of nails against a chalkboard, but in my body. The nurse didn't seem to care and just said, 'You're fine, sometimes people have a reaction to this drug. There's nothing we can do.' I was pacing around, crying out for help and having an anxiety attack. As many other reviews of this drug have said, I felt the extreme urge to rip the IV out of my arm. It all became too much and I felt suicidal thoughts creep in. Eventually, I discharged myself and the only thing that helped calm me down was Valium. Do not take this drug."