Restrictions on the use of metoclopramide-containing products

HSA, in consultation with its Medicines Advisory Committee, would like to update healthcare professionals on the restrictions on the use of metoclopramide-containing products, following concerns raised internationally on the relationship between the use of high doses or long-term use of metoclopramide and the increased risks of neurological adverse events, such as irreversible tardive dyskinesia. HSA’s benefit-risk assessment considered the current available scientific evidence, local adverse event reports and the input of local clinical experts. It was concluded that the benefit-risk profile of metoclopramide remains favourable for restricted indications in children and adults when administered within the recommended maximum daily doses and when treatment durations beyond 12 weeks are avoided. Please refer to the letter for more details.

Only abstracts of the Dear Healthcare Professional Letters (DHCPL) are provided on this website. Details of these letters can be found in the MOH Alert System, which is accessible via the Health Professionals Portal (HPP), a one-stop portal for all healthcare professionals in Singapore. Dentists, medical doctors and pharmacists may access HPP at https://hpp.moh.gov.sg and follow the procedures below to access the MOH Alert system.

Step 1: Select your profession under ‘For Healthcare Professionals’.

Step 2: Click on ‘Useful links’.

Step 3: Click on ‘MOH Alert’ and log in via Singpass.

Step 4: Click on ‘Drug Alerts’ or ‘Med Device Alerts’ to view the DHCPLs.