Metoclopramide for Feline Blood Pressure

Metoclopramide is a drug used to increase muscle contractions to speed the rate at which the stomach empties into the intestines. It's commonly used to treat heartburn and slow gastric emptying, and not just in humans, but in animals as well. For example, it's prescribed by veterinarians to treat a range of gastric motility disorders in cats. Side effects include things like increased blood pressure and frenzied behavior.

  1. When Prescribed

    • Metoclopramide is prescribed to cats to treat gastric motility disorders such as ileus, which is an intestinal obstruction or blockage of the bowel, and gastritis, an inflammation in the lining of the stomach. According to Wedgewood Pharmacy, it's also prescribed to treat nausea and vomiting in cases of renal failure, acute hepatic failure and hepatitis and in animals undergoing chemotherapy treatment. It's usually recommended to be taken orally about 30 minutes before consuming food.

    How It Works

    • Metoclopramide is an anti-emetic, meaning that it's used to treat gastrointestinal disorders and manage vomiting. It works by blocking the chemical dopamine levels in different parts of the brain, thereby providing a central anti-vomiting effect. It also contracts the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine. Additionally, it also works from preventing stomach acid from entering the esophagus, making it an option for treating cats with kidney failure.

    Side Effects

    • Some common side effects to metoclopramide in animals include things like anxiety and frenzied behavior, nausea, sedation and mild constipation. These symptoms are most common in cats taking the medicine. Additional side effects include drowsiness, diarrhea, disorientation, urinary frequency, rashes and hives. Another common side effect is a drop in blood pressure in animals. However, low blood pressure should only be considered dangerous if it causes noticeable signs and symptoms, like shallow breathing, fatigue and depression.

    Considerations

    • There are several things to consider before treating your animal with metoclopramide. For example, the medicine is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for veterinary use. However, it's also commonly accepted for veterinarians to use the medication to treat various symptoms in animals. An additional consideration is the health of your animal. For instance, animals with hypersensitivity to the drug should immediately be taken off of it, as should animals with stomach or intestinal bleeding.