Side Effects of Maxeran

The U.S. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse reports that 20 percent of all Americans experience symptoms of Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease or GERD at least weekly. Doctors rely upon a number of treatments to alleviate the pain and discomfort caused by GERD. One such treatment is Maxeran or Metroclopramide, a prescription medication used to relieve the symptoms of GERD as well as to treat a stomach condition that affects diabetics known as gastroparesis. Despite its effectiveness, Maxeran is not for everyone as it presents several risks for side effects and complications in some patients.

Significant Side Effects

• The most significant or common side effects of Maxeran usually pose no long-term dangers. Generally, symptoms of these side effects occur during your first weeks of Maxeran usage and disappear as your body becomes acclimated to the drug. Approximately 10 percent of patients experience diarrhea, drowsiness and restlessness associated with use of Maxeran. If you notice these side effects from Maxeran and they persist or interfere with your daily activities, talk to your doctor.

Types of Other Side Effects

• Maxeran also has the potential to cause a number of other less common, but not dangerous, side effects. Additional neurological side effects of Maxeran include insomnia, anxiety, agitation, jitteriness, headaches, confusion, dizziness and depression. Some women report the production of breast milk or the absence of menstrual periods while taking Maxeran, while some men notice a feminine swelling of the breasts. It is also possible to experience frequent urination or difficulty waiting to urinate while using Maxeran.

Features: Drug Interactions

• There are some medications that produce unwanted side effects when used in conjunction with Maxeran. For example, sedatives, narcotics, hypnotics and tranquilizers all increase drowsiness when taken with Maxeran. Because patients taking MAOI inhibitors frequently experience hypertension when taking Maxeran, doctors rarely prescribe the drugs for concurrent use. Diabetic patients using insulin may need to adjust dosage of the drug due to an increased potential for hypoglycemia while taking Maxeran. Additionally, Maxeran sometimes causes additional side effects of drugs like levodopa, acetaminophen, tetracycline and cyclosproine.

Risks

• In addition to minor side effects and the risk of interactions, Maxeran has the potential to cause serious medical complications. Some patients experience suicidal thoughts or exhibit self-harmful behavior while taking Maxeran. Approximately 1 in every 500 patients develops neurological reactions to Maxeran within the first 24 to 48 hours of use, causing involuntary movements of the limbs, grimacing, the tongue protruding from the mouth, changes in speech and difficulty moving the jaw. Additionally, some patients experience symptoms similar to those caused by Parkinson's Disease while taking Maxeran. There is also a risk of developing Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, a dangerous condition that results in hyperthermia, inability to move the muscles or loss of consciousness and changes in heart rate.

Considerations

• Because there is not yet sufficient evidence that Maxeran has no unwanted effects upon the fetus, doctors typically do not prescribe the drug for pregnant women. In addition, children under the age of 18 and adults over the age of 65 are more susceptible to the risks of Maxeran, particularly those affecting the neurological system. If you have a history of gastrointestinal blockages or bleeding, epilepsy, seizures, liver or liver disease, asthma, hypertension, depression or Parkinson's disease, your doctor is not likely to prescribe Maxeran due to its potential side effects. Since it has the potential to cause drowsiness, you should not operate a motor vehicle or heavy machinery until you know how Maxeran will affect you. Alcohol increases the sedative effects of Maxeran and should be avoided.