What is Metoclopramide used for?

Metoclopramide is indicated for: Acute vomiting, CRI, Crop stasis, Gastric reflux, gastroparesis, GI motility enhancer, GI stasis, GI stasis (prokinetic), nausea, Paracloacal gland carcinoma, post-operative ileus, Prokinetic, Prokinetic post-procedure, regurgitation, Severe GI stasis (CRI), Severe vomiting, Severe vomiting (CRI), vomiting.

What routes can Metoclopramide be administered by?

Available routes: PO, SC, IM, IV.

Which species have cited Metoclopramide dosing data?

Metoclopramide dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 10 species: African Grey Parrot, Bearded Dragon, Cat (Domestic), Chinchilla, Dog (Domestic), Ferret, Guinea Pig, Horse (Equine), Rabbit (Domestic), Sugar Glider.

Is Metoclopramide a controlled substance?

Metoclopramide is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

What are the warnings or contraindications for Metoclopramide?

May cause extrapyramidal signs (restlessness, tremors). Contraindicated with GI obstruction or perforation. Avoid concurrent use with phenothiazines.

What are the side effects of Metoclopramide?

Reported side effects, adverse reactions, and contraindications for Metoclopramide: May cause extrapyramidal signs (restlessness, tremors). Contraindicated with GI obstruction or perforation. Avoid concurrent use with phenothiazines.

How does Metoclopramide work?

Dopamine D2 receptor antagonist. Increases GI motility (prokinetic) and acts centrally as an antiemetic at the chemoreceptor trigger zone.

What is the constant rate infusion (CRI) dose for Metoclopramide?

Metoclopramide has 2 CRI dose rules in the ExoticRx formulary, covering Dog (Domestic), Cat (Domestic). See the CRI section on this page for routes, dose ranges, and source citations.

Metoclopramide

US brand names:Reglan

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Metoclopramide is dosed at 0.5–1 mg/kg PO q12-24h in bearded dragons, per Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Gastrointestinal

Routes

POSCIMIV

Indications

Acute vomitingCRICrop stasisGastric refluxgastroparesisGI motility enhancerGI stasis

Evidence levels across 21 dose rules

Strong×4Extrapolated×6Moderate×9Anecdotal×1Weak×1

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 15 published sources

· Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
· EMEPRID 1 Mg/ML Oral Solution for Dogs and Cats [UK Datasheet]. Ceva Animal Health Ltd; 2015. / 36. EMEPRID 5 Mg/ML Solution for Injection for Dogs and Cats [UK Datasheet]. Ceva Animal Health Ltd; 2021. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.896 (2026-08-01).
· ExoticRx 2026 (chinchilla dosing guide); Carpenter 6e | Corroborated 2026-07-30: Tamura Y. J Exot Pet Med 2010;19:36-55. doi:10.1053/j.jepm.2010.01.014 PMID:32288672 — chinchilla, 0.5 mg/kg q12h SC.
· Husnik R, Fletcher JM, Gaschen L, Gaschen F. Effect of metoclopramide, erythromycin and exenatide on solid phase gastric emptying in healthy cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2020;34(4):1440-1446. doi:10.1111/jvim.15787 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.896 (2026-08-01).
·

Constant rate infusion (CRI)

Metoclopramide CRI dose rules from the ExoticRx formulary. Verify against current literature before clinical use; CRI rates differ from bolus dosing and route, dilution, and monitoring matter. Sign in for the complete per-species CRI protocol set.

Species	Route	Rate	Indication	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	IV	0.01–0.02 mg/kgper hour (CRI)	Severe vomiting, CRI for persistent nausea	Strong	Merck/MSD Veterinary Manual, Prokinetic Drugs table (0.01-0.02 mg/kg/h IV infusion) https://www.merckvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/prokinetic-drugs \| Higher published regimens: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook 9th Ed (1-2 mg/kg/day); Today's Veterinary Practice, Management of GI Hypomotility in the Hospitalized Patient (0.5 mg/kg bolus then 2-8 mg/kg/day)
Cat (Domestic)	IV	0.01–0.02 mg/kgper hour (CRI)	Severe vomiting (CRI)	Moderate	Merck/MSD Veterinary Manual, Prokinetic Drugs table (0.01-0.02 mg/kg/h IV infusion, dogs and cats) \| Higher published regimens: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook 9th Ed; Today's Veterinary Practice, Management of GI Hypomotility in the Hospitalized Patient

Sample dosing (2 of 21 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 10 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	IV	0.01–0.02 mg/kg	per hour (CRI)	Strong	Merck/MSD Veterinary Manual, Prokinetic Drugs table (0.01-0.02 mg/kg/h IV infusion) https://www.merckvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/prokinetic-drugs \| Higher published regimens: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook 9th Ed (1-2 mg/kg/day); Today's Veterinary Practice, Management of GI Hypomotility in the Hospitalized Patient (0.5 mg/kg bolus then 2-8 mg/kg/day)
Cat (Domestic)	IV	0.01–0.02 mg/kg	per hour (CRI)	Moderate	Merck/MSD Veterinary Manual, Prokinetic Drugs table (0.01-0.02 mg/kg/h IV infusion, dogs and cats) https://www.merckvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/prokinetic-drugs \| Higher published regimens: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook 9th Ed; Today's Veterinary Practice, Management of GI Hypomotility in the Hospitalized Patient

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Merck/MSD Veterinary Manual, Prokinetic Drugs table (0.01-0.02 mg/kg/h IV infusion) https://www.merckvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/prokinetic-drugs | Higher published regimens: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook 9th Ed (1-2 mg/kg/day); Today's Veterinary Practice, Management of GI Hypomotility in the Hospitalized Patient (0.5 mg/kg bolus then 2-8 mg/kg/day)

· Merck/MSD Veterinary Manual, Prokinetic Drugs table (0.01-0.02 mg/kg/h IV infusion, dogs and cats) https://www.merckvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/prokinetic-drugs | Higher published regimens: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook 9th Ed; Today's Veterinary Practice, Management of GI Hypomotility in the Hospitalized Patient

· Morissey JM, Carpenter JW. Appendix: Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Orcu[tt] CJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.892 (2026-08-01).

· Morissey JM, Carpenter JW. Appendix: Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, OrcuttCJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.892 (2026-08-01).

· Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW, et al. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, OrcuttCJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.957 (2026-08-01).

· Ness RD, Johnson-Delaney C. Sugar gliders. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2012:393-410. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.712 (2026-08-01).

· Ritchie BW, Harrison GJ. Formulary. In: Ritchie BW, Harrison GJ, Harrison LR, eds. Avian Medicine: Principles and Application; Wingers Publishing, Lake Worth, FL; 1994:457-478. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.492 (2026-08-01).

· Whitehead K, Cortes Y, Eirmann L. Gastrointestinal dysmotility disorders in critically ill dogs and cats. J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 2016;26(2):234-253. doi:10.1111/vec.12449 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.896 (2026-08-01).

Dog (Domestic)IV
0.01–0.02 mg/kgper hour (CRI)
Severe vomiting, CRI for persistent nausea
StrongMerck/MSD Veterinary Manual, Prokinetic Drugs table (0.01-0.02 mg/kg/h IV infusion) https://www.merckvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/prokinetic-drugs | Higher published regimens: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook 9th Ed (1-2 mg/kg/day); Today's Veterinary Practice, Management of GI Hypomotility in the Hospitalized Patient (0.5 mg/kg bolus then 2-8 mg/kg/day)
Cat (Domestic)IV
0.01–0.02 mg/kgper hour (CRI)
Severe vomiting (CRI)
ModerateMerck/MSD Veterinary Manual, Prokinetic Drugs table (0.01-0.02 mg/kg/h IV infusion, dogs and cats) https://www.merckvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/prokinetic-drugs | Higher published regimens: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook 9th Ed; Today's Veterinary Practice, Management of GI Hypomotility in the Hospitalized Patient

Metoclopramide

Drug Class

Routes

Indications

Mechanism of Action

Side effects & warnings

Species with Metoclopramide dosing data (21 dose rules)

Evidence levels across 21 dose rules

Backed by 15 published sources

Constant rate infusion (CRI)

Sample dosing (2 of 21 cited rules)

Upgrade for Full Details

Metoclopramide

Drug Class

Routes

Indications

Mechanism of Action

Side effects & warnings

Species with Metoclopramide dosing data (21 dose rules)

Evidence levels across 21 dose rules

Backed by 15 published sources

Constant rate infusion (CRI)

Sample dosing (2 of 21 cited rules)

Upgrade for Full Details

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