According to Drugs.com, Reglan, also known as metoclopramide, is a drug used to treat frequent heartburn caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients who have used other drugs without the relief of symptoms. Reglan is also used to treat nausea, vomiting and diabetic gastroparesis. Gastroparesis, or delayed stomach emptying, is a condition common in people with diabetes. Some patients may be hypersensitive to Reglan and experience severe allergic reactions.
Problems Breathing
According to Drugs.com, patients who are hypersensitive to Reglan may develop chest tightness and swelling of the throat and tongue, which may cause difficulties in breathing. Patients may also experience wheezing due to inflammation and constriction of the airways. Patients experiencing breathing problems should seek immediate medical help.
Hypotension and Shock
According to Drugs.com, patients allergic to Reglan may develop hypotension and shock. Hypotension or low blood pressure is caused by sudden dilation of blood vessels caused by allergic reaction. Patients who do not receive treatment for hypotension later develop shock.
Urticaria and Angioedema
Drugs.com states that patients allergic to Reglan may develop urticaria. Urticaria, also known as hives, involves raised, red, itchy bumps that appear on the various parts of the body in response to an allergic reaction. According to Drugs.com, patients allergic to Reglan may also develop angiodema. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that angiodema is the swelling involving the deeper layers of the skin. Angiodema mostly occurs around the eyes and lips. During an allergic reaction, the body produces histamines, which cause blood vessels to swell, resulting in angiodema. Angiodema involving the throat, neck and tongue can cause problems breathing.
Upset Stomach
Drugs.com states that patients experiencing allergic reactions to Reglan may experience stomach symptoms such as abdominal pain, stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Stomach symptoms are usually the last signs of Reglan hypersensitivity.
Treatment of Reglan Allergies
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, patients experiencing breathing problems due to allergic reaction to Reglan should be treated using epinephrine. Epinephrine opens the airways should be injected into the thigh muscle right away. Patients experiencing swelling of the throat, tongue and lips should be given corticosteroids so as to decrease swelling. Patients experiencing itching should be given antihistamines. Patients experiencing low blood pressure and shock caused by the allergic reaction should be treated using epinephrine, which, in addition to opening airways, also raises the blood pressure by tightening blood vessels.
Prevention of Reglan Allergies
According to Drugs.com, patients allergic to metoclopramide and other ingredients in Reglan should avoid the drug. There are other alternatives available to treat GERD, nausea and vomiting and gastroparesis. Proton pump inhibitors may be used to treat GERD instead of Reglan. Zofran may be used to treat nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy instead of Reglan. Domperidone may be used in place of Reglan to treat gastroparesis.
