Digestine Side Effects

Digestine is often prescribed for gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It can have several common and less common side effects, these side effects can affect different systems in the body. Here are some common and less common side effects associated with Digestine.

Common Side Effects

• Diarrhea: Some individuals might experience loose stools or increased bowel movements with Digestine.
• Nausea and Vomiting: Paradoxically, Digestine might sometimes cause nausea or vomiting as a side effect.
• Abdominal Cramps: Mild to moderate abdominal discomfort or cramping might occur.
• Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS): These include involuntary muscle movements, restlessness, tremors, or dystonic reactions (sudden, involuntary muscle contractions). These symptoms are more common at higher doses and with long-term use.
• Parkinsonism-like Symptoms: These symptoms can include stiffness, tremors, and slowed movements, resembling symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
• Drowsiness or Sedation: Some individuals might feel drowsy or experience sedation after taking Digestine.
• Headache: Mild to moderate headaches might occur, especially when starting the medication.
• Fatigue: Some people might feel more fatigued than usual with Digestine.
• Breast Tenderness or Changes in Menstrual Cycle: Digestine might rarely cause changes in menstruation or breast tenderness.
• Increased Risk of Depression or Anxiety: In some individuals, Digestine might affect mood and contribute to symptoms of depression or anxiety.
• Hypersensitivity Reactions: Allergic reactions to Digestine are rare but possible, leading to symptoms like rash, itching, or swelling.
• Arrhythmias: In rare cases, Digestine might cause irregular heartbeats or arrhythmias.
• Tachycardia: Some individuals might experience an increased heart rate.

Less Common Side Effects

• Constipation: While less common, some individuals may experience difficulty passing stools or reduced bowel movements.
• Dry Mouth: Occasional reports of dry mouth or xerostomia have been noted as a less common side effect.
• Anxiety or Agitation: In some cases, Digestine might contribute to increased anxiety or agitation.
• Dizziness: A small percentage of users may experience dizziness or light-headedness.
• Sleep Disturbances: Rarely, disturbances in sleep patterns, including insomnia or unusual dreams, might occur.
• Confusion or Cognitive Changes: Less commonly, Digestine might lead to confusion or cognitive changes in certain individuals.
• Galactorrhea: Rarely, Digestine might cause spontaneous milk production from the breasts in both men and women.
• Menstrual Irregularities: In some cases, alterations in the menstrual cycle or changes in menstrual flow might occur.
• Orthostatic Hypotension: Less commonly, Digestine can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing, leading to dizziness or fainting.
• QT Prolongation: It might rarely affect the electrical activity of the heart, leading to changes in the QT interval on an electrocardiogram (ECG).
• Rash or Skin Reactions: Occasional reports of skin rash or other allergic-type reactions have been noted.
• Sweating: Some individuals might experience increased sweating as a less common side effect.
• Urinary Frequency: Rarely, Digestine might cause an increase in the frequency of urination.

Digestine is one of the leading brands of Metoclopramide (HCl), manufactured and marketed by S.J. & G. Fazul Ellahie (Pvt) Ltd. Pakistan.

Presently, Digestine is available in only Capsule Form with the following strengths.

Digestine Capsule : 40mg strength.

1. Alcohol and Sedatives: Combining Digestine with alcohol or sedatives can increase the sedative effects and central nervous system depression.
2. QT Prolonging Drugs: Concurrent use of medications that prolong the QT interval, such as certain antibiotics, antipsychotics, and antiarrhythmic medications, may increase the risk of QT prolongation when combined with Digestine.
3. Anticholinergic Drugs: Medications with anticholinergic effects (such as some antihistamines, antispasmodics, and certain antidepressants) may counteract the prokinetic effects of Digestine, reducing its effectiveness.
4. Antipsychotics: Combining Digestine with antipsychotic medications that block dopamine receptors can increase the risk of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and other movement disorders.
5. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): There is a potential risk of serotonin syndrome, a rare but serious condition, when Digestine is combined with SSRIs or other serotonergic medications.
6. Morphine and Related Drugs: Concurrent use of Digestine with certain opioids may increase the risk of adverse effects such as sedation and gastrointestinal disturbances.
7. Cyclosporine and Digoxin: Digestine can affect gastric emptying and intestinal transit time, potentially altering the absorption and blood levels of drugs like cyclosporine and digoxin.
8. Insulin and Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Digestine might increase the absorption of certain oral antidiabetic drugs or insulin, leading to a potential need for dose adjustment.
9. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): Concurrent use of MAOIs with Digestine can lead to increased blood pressure and potentially serious reactions.
10. Lithium: Digestine might decrease the elimination of lithium, potentially increasing its blood levels and risk of toxicity.