Comprehensive medication guide to Metoclopramide including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$15 copay on most commercial insurance plans for generic metoclopramide (Tier 1–2); generally covered by Medicare Part D as a preferred generic. Brand-name Reglan is typically not covered by Medicare Part D and may require prior authorization on commercial plans.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$8–$20 retail for a 30-day supply of generic metoclopramide 10 mg tablets; as low as $4 with a free GoodRx or SingleCare coupon, or $3.26 with GoodRx Gold. Brand-name Reglan costs $141–$390+ for the same quantity.
Medfinder Findability Score
82/100
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Metoclopramide is a prescription prokinetic agent and antiemetic (anti-nausea medication) that has been FDA-approved since 1979. It is classified as a dopamine D2 receptor antagonist, and it works by blocking dopamine receptors both in the brain's chemoreceptor trigger zone (reducing nausea signals) and in the gastrointestinal tract (accelerating gastric emptying). It is the only FDA-approved oral medication for diabetic gastroparesis.
The best-known brand name is Reglan. Other brand names include Metozolv ODT (orally disintegrating tablet) and Gimoti (nasal spray formulation for patients who cannot take oral medications). Generic metoclopramide has been available since 1985 and is now manufactured by multiple companies, making it widely accessible and affordable.
Metoclopramide is available in multiple formulations: oral tablets (5 mg and 10 mg), orally disintegrating tablets (ODT), oral liquid solution (5 mg/5 mL), injectable solution (5 mg/mL), and nasal spray (Gimoti, 15 mg per actuation). It is prescribed for short-term use only — the FDA recommends limiting treatment to a maximum of 12 weeks due to the risk of tardive dyskinesia with longer use.
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Metoclopramide's primary mechanism is blockade of dopamine D2 receptors in two key locations. In the brain's chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ), dopamine normally activates the vomiting reflex. By blocking these receptors, metoclopramide suppresses nausea and vomiting signals before they reach the vomiting center. At the same time, in the GI tract, dopamine acts as a brake on stomach muscle contractions — blocking it releases this brake, stimulating coordinated smooth muscle contractions that move food through the stomach more efficiently.
Beyond dopamine, metoclopramide also acts on serotonin receptors: it antagonizes 5-HT3 receptors (blocking an additional nausea pathway, especially important at chemotherapy doses) and weakly agonizes 5-HT4 receptors (further promoting intestinal motility). The combined effect is simultaneous anti-nausea and prokinetic (gut-motility-enhancing) activity. Additionally, metoclopramide increases lower esophageal sphincter (LES) tone, reducing acid reflux from the stomach into the esophagus.
Oral metoclopramide is approximately 80% bioavailable, reaches peak plasma concentration in 1–2 hours, and has a half-life of 5–6 hours in patients with normal renal function. This is why the standard dosing is four times daily — to maintain consistent drug levels throughout the day. The drug should be taken 30 minutes before meals and at bedtime so it is active when food enters the stomach.
5 mg — tablet
Standard oral tablet; used when lower doses are needed or when titrating
10 mg — tablet
Most common dose for adults; taken 30 min before meals and at bedtime
5 mg ODT — orally disintegrating tablet
Dissolves on the tongue without water; useful when swallowing is difficult
10 mg ODT — orally disintegrating tablet
Standard adult ODT dose; brand Metozolv ODT
5 mg/5 mL — oral solution
Liquid formulation for patients with swallowing difficulties
5 mg/mL — injectable solution
Used IV or IM in hospital settings for chemotherapy nausea or severe gastroparesis
15 mg — nasal spray
Gimoti nasal spray; for diabetic gastroparesis patients who cannot take oral formulations
Oral metoclopramide tablets are generally available and are not on an active FDA drug shortage list in 2026. With multiple generic manufacturers, supply resilience is good compared to many other medications. However, individual pharmacies can run out of stock due to local demand fluctuations, particularly during periods when other antiemetics like prochlorperazine face national shortages and patients are switched to metoclopramide.
Injectable metoclopramide formulations have historically been more susceptible to supply disruptions and have appeared on ASHP shortage lists periodically. Orally disintegrating tablets (ODT) and oral liquid solutions are less commonly stocked at retail pharmacies and may require special ordering. Patients looking for a specific formulation — particularly ODT or liquid — may need to call multiple pharmacies or request a special order.
If your pharmacy is out of metoclopramide, medfinder can call local pharmacies on your behalf and text you which ones have it in stock. This is especially useful when you need metoclopramide quickly for active gastroparesis or nausea management.
Metoclopramide is not a controlled substance and does not require DEA registration to prescribe. Any licensed prescriber with authority to write prescriptions in their state can prescribe metoclopramide without special authorization. Prescribers who commonly prescribe it include:
Because metoclopramide is not a controlled substance, it can be prescribed via telehealth in all 50 states without requiring an in-person visit. Patients who need a new prescription can often obtain one same-day through telehealth platforms such as Teladoc, MDLive, or Amazon Clinic. This makes accessing metoclopramide significantly easier than controlled substances, which often require in-person evaluations.
No. Metoclopramide is not a DEA-scheduled controlled substance. It does not fall under any schedule (I through V) of the Controlled Substances Act. This means it can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider — including nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), and physicians (MDs/DOs) — without special DEA registration or prescribing authority.
Because metoclopramide is not a controlled substance, it can also be prescribed via telehealth in all 50 states without requiring an in-person visit under the Ryan Haight Act or similar regulations. Prescriptions can be refilled without special restrictions, and it does not require a paper prescription in most states. Patients can fill it at any licensed pharmacy with a valid prescription.
The most common side effects (occurring in more than 10% of patients) include:
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Ondansetron (Zofran)
5-HT3 serotonin receptor antagonist; widely used for nausea and vomiting; no prokinetic effect; generally lower risk of movement disorders than metoclopramide
Erythromycin (low dose)
Motilin receptor agonist; off-label prokinetic for gastroparesis; short-term use only due to tachyphylaxis; antibiotic class
Prochlorperazine (Compazine)
Phenothiazine dopamine antagonist; similar mechanism to metoclopramide; currently experiencing national shortage in multiple formulations as of 2026
Domperidone
Peripheral dopamine D2 antagonist with prokinetic and antiemetic properties; not FDA-approved in the US; requires expanded access IND; used widely in Canada and Europe
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Antipsychotics (haloperidol, risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine)
majorAdditive dopamine receptor blockade increases risk of tardive dyskinesia, extrapyramidal symptoms, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Avoid concomitant use.
MAO Inhibitors (phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline)
majorRisk of hypertensive crisis. Metoclopramide releases catecholamines; MAOIs prevent their breakdown. Contraindicated combination.
Strong CYP2D6 inhibitors (fluoxetine, paroxetine, bupropion, quinidine)
moderateInhibit metoclopramide metabolism, increasing plasma levels and side-effect risk. Reduce metoclopramide dose if combination cannot be avoided.
CNS depressants (alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, sleep aids)
moderateAdditive central nervous system depression; increased drowsiness and impaired coordination. Avoid alcohol; monitor for sedation with other CNS depressants.
Digoxin
moderateMetoclopramide accelerates gastric emptying, reducing digoxin absorption and potentially lowering levels below therapeutic range. Monitor digoxin levels.
Cyclosporine
moderateAccelerated gastric emptying by metoclopramide increases cyclosporine absorption rate and potentially toxicity. Monitor cyclosporine levels closely.
Metoclopramide remains a cornerstone medication for gastroparesis and nausea management in 2026 — and for good reason. It combines prokinetic and antiemetic effects in a single affordable generic. Generic metoclopramide costs as little as $4 for a 30-day supply with discount coupons, it is covered by most insurance plans, and it can be prescribed by any licensed provider including via telehealth.
The most important thing patients need to know is the 12-week limit: metoclopramide carries an FDA boxed warning for tardive dyskinesia with longer use. This is a potentially permanent movement disorder. Always take metoclopramide as prescribed, never exceed the recommended dose, and talk to your doctor before continuing beyond 12 weeks. If you experience any involuntary muscle movements, stop the medication and contact your prescriber immediately.
If you are having trouble finding metoclopramide at your local pharmacy, medfinder can help. Simply provide your medication, dosage, and location, and medfinder will call pharmacies near you to find which ones can fill your prescription — then text you the results.
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