Adco Contromet is a registered brand of metoclopramide in South Africa, but detailed public information specific to “Adco Contromet” as a branded product is limited. However, its active ingredient, metoclopramide, is well‑documented in South African and international references, and Adco Contromet’s side effects are those of metoclopramide itself.
Below is a consolidated, factual overview of Adco Contromet side effects, based on metoclopramide information from credible sources.
What Is Adco Contromet?
Adco Contromet appears in professional price / schedule listings as a metoclopramide product, for example “CONTROMET (METOCLOPRAMIDE HCL) 2MG/ML INJ” in a South African private hospital formulary listing on the Mediclinic Southern Africa medicines price document (PDF) where it is grouped with other metoclopramide injections in the same therapeutic class of antiemetics (drugs for nausea and vomiting) (Mediclinic Southern Africa medicines price list).
The active ingredient is metoclopramide hydrochloride, a dopamine antagonist used to:
- Prevent or treat nausea and vomiting
- Help with certain gastric motility disorders (delayed stomach emptying)
Because side effects are determined by the active ingredient, the Adco Contromet side effects are the same as those described for metoclopramide in standard references such as Mayo Clinic, NHS, Drugs.com, and MedlinePlus.
Common Adco Contromet (Metoclopramide) Side Effects
According to the Mayo Clinic monograph on metoclopramide and the NHS guidance on metoclopramide, the more common side effects include (Mayo Clinic – metoclopramide oral route, NHS – metoclopramide side effects):
- Drowsiness / feeling sleepy
- Tiredness or weakness
- Restlessness or agitation
- Headache
- Dizziness or feeling light‑headed
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
These effects are usually mild and temporary, but they can interfere with activities like driving or operating machinery.
The NHS notes that if these common side effects are mild, they often improve as the body adjusts to the medicine, but any persistent or troublesome symptom should be discussed with a doctor (NHS metoclopramide side effects guidance).
Serious Neurological Side Effects
Metoclopramide can affect the central nervous system. Serious but less common side effects are well‑described in sources like MedlinePlus and Drugs.com (MedlinePlus – metoclopramide, Drugs.com metoclopramide professional monograph):
1. Extrapyramidal Symptoms (Movement Disorders)
These side effects result from dopamine blockade in the brain and can include:
- Acute dystonia: involuntary muscle spasms, especially of the face, neck or back
- Parkinsonism‑like symptoms:
- Tremor
- Muscle stiffness
- Slowed movements
- Akathisia: intense restlessness, inability to sit still
MedlinePlus warns that these can occur even after short‑term use, especially in young adults and children (MedlinePlus – metoclopramide safety warnings).
2. Tardive Dyskinesia (TD)
A particularly serious risk is tardive dyskinesia, a potentially irreversible movement disorder:
- Involuntary, repetitive movements, especially of:
- Tongue
- Face
- Lips (e.g., lip smacking, grimacing)
- Limbs or trunk
The U.S. FDA boxed warning, reproduced in the Drugs.com professional monograph, stresses that metoclopramide can cause tardive dyskinesia, and the risk increases with long duration and high cumulative dose (Drugs.com – metoclopramide boxed warning). Because of this, many guidelines recommend:
- Using the lowest effective dose
- Avoiding treatment longer than 12 weeks whenever possible
3. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
A rare but life‑threatening reaction associated with dopamine‑blocking drugs is neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), reported in connection with metoclopramide in the Drugs.com and MedlinePlus monographs (Drugs.com – metoclopramide warnings and precautions, MedlinePlus – metoclopramide). Symptoms include:
- Very high fever
- Severe muscle stiffness
- Confusion
- Autonomic instability (irregular blood pressure, pulse, sweating)
NMS is a medical emergency and requires immediate hospital treatment.
Mental Health and Behavioural Side Effects
Central nervous system effects can also involve mood or mental status changes. The Mayo Clinic and MedlinePlus note the following possible side effects (Mayo Clinic – metoclopramide side effects, MedlinePlus – metoclopramide):
- Depression or worsening of existing depression
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there), especially at higher doses or in susceptible patients
- Insomnia or trouble sleeping
Patients with a history of depression or mental illness should use metoclopramide with caution and under close medical supervision, as highlighted in the MedlinePlus safety warnings.
Hormonal and Endocrine Side Effects (Prolactin‑Related)
Because metoclopramide increases prolactin levels, it can cause hormonal side effects. The Drugs.com professional monograph and MedlinePlus list prolactin‑related reactions (Drugs.com – metoclopramide adverse reactions, MedlinePlus – metoclopramide):
- Galactorrhoea – unexpected breast milk production
- Gynaecomastia – breast enlargement in males
- Menstrual irregularities in women
- Possible sexual dysfunction (e.g., decreased libido)
These effects are usually reversible after stopping the medicine, but persistent symptoms should be evaluated by a doctor.
Cardiovascular and Blood Pressure‑Related Side Effects
Metoclopramide has been associated with cardiovascular effects, particularly with injectable forms at higher doses, as noted by Drugs.com and Mayo Clinic (Drugs.com – metoclopramide IV warnings, Mayo Clinic – metoclopramide injection side effects):
- Changes in blood pressure – either low (hypotension) or high (hypertension)
- Palpitations or irregular heartbeats
- Very rarely, more serious cardiac arrhythmias
This is particularly relevant in hospital or emergency settings, where metoclopramide injections like Contromet are used for acute nausea/vomiting, and patients are often monitored.
Gastrointestinal Side Effects
Although metoclopramide is used to treat nausea and aid gastric emptying, it can also cause:
- Diarrhoea (common)
- Nausea or vomiting in some individuals
- Abdominal cramps
These are noted in the side‑effect listings from Mayo Clinic and NHS (Mayo Clinic – metoclopramide oral route side effects, NHS – metoclopramide side effects).
Allergic Reactions
Like most medicines, metoclopramide can trigger allergic reactions, described in MedlinePlus and Mayo Clinic (MedlinePlus – metoclopramide, Mayo Clinic – metoclopramide injection route side effects):
- Skin rash, itching
- Hives
- Swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat
- Difficulty breathing
Any sign of anaphylaxis or serious allergy requires emergency medical care.
Who Is at Higher Risk of Adco Contromet Side Effects?
Based on safety information from MedlinePlus, NHS, and Drugs.com (MedlinePlus – metoclopramide warnings, NHS – who can and cannot take metoclopramide, Drugs.com – contraindications and precautions), certain groups have a higher risk of serious side effects:
- Elderly patients, especially women – higher risk of tardive dyskinesia
- Children and young adults – higher risk of acute dystonic reactions
- People with:
- Parkinson’s disease or other movement disorders
- History of depression or psychiatric illness
- Kidney or liver impairment (medicine may accumulate)
- Seizure disorders, such as epilepsy
In these groups, prescribers often:
- Use lower doses
- Limit duration of treatment
- Monitor closely for neurological or mental health changes
Duration of Use and Risk Management
The risk of serious neurological side effects, especially tardive dyskinesia, increases with long‑term exposure. The Drugs.com professional monograph, reflecting the FDA boxed warning, recommends that treatment with metoclopramide generally should not exceed 12 weeks, except in rare circumstances where benefit clearly outweighs risk (Drugs.com – metoclopramide boxed warning and dosage and administration).
For Adco Contromet (metoclopramide):
- Use the lowest effective dose
- Avoid prolonged therapy without review
- Discuss any new or unusual movements, mood changes, or restlessness promptly with a healthcare provider
When to Seek Immediate Medical Help
Based on the red‑flag symptoms highlighted by MedlinePlus, Mayo Clinic and NHS (MedlinePlus – metoclopramide, Mayo Clinic – metoclopramide side effects, NHS – metoclopramide side effects), you should seek urgent medical attention if you develop:
- Uncontrollable movements of the face, tongue, jaw, arms or legs
- Severe muscle stiffness, high fever, confusion, rapid pulse (possible NMS)
- Sudden confusion, hallucinations, or severe drowsiness
- Severe allergic reaction: swelling of face or throat, difficulty breathing, widespread rash
- Chest pain or severe palpitations
- Any sudden, severe neurological symptom
These may indicate a rare but serious reaction to Adco Contromet (metoclopramide).
Key Takeaways on Adco Contromet Side Effects
- Adco Contromet’s active ingredient is metoclopramide, a dopamine antagonist used as an anti‑nausea and pro‑motility agent, listed under hospital drug price lists (e.g. Mediclinic Southern Africa formulary PDF) as “Contromet (metoclopramide HCl)” (Mediclinic medicines list).
- Common Adco Contromet side effects include drowsiness, tiredness, restlessness, headache, dizziness, and diarrhoea (Mayo Clinic, NHS).
- Serious risks include extrapyramidal symptoms, tardive dyskinesia, rare neuroleptic malignant syndrome, hormonal changes (raised prolactin), and occasional cardiovascular effects (MedlinePlus, Drugs.com).
- Elderly patients, children, and individuals with neurological or psychiatric conditions are at higher risk and require cautious dosing and close monitoring (NHS – who can and cannot take metoclopramide).
- Long‑term use (beyond 12 weeks) is generally discouraged due to the risk of tardive dyskinesia, in line with the boxed warning referenced in the Drugs.com monograph (Drugs.com – boxed warning).
For personalised advice about Adco Contromet side effects, dosing, or duration of therapy, it is essential to consult a South African healthcare professional or pharmacist, who can interpret these risks in the context of individual medical history and other medicines.
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