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metoclopramide vs rivastigmine

Side-by-side comparison of metoclopramide and rivastigmine. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

moderate Known Drug Interaction

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Concomitant use with metoclopramide, beta-blockers, or cholinomimetic and anticholinergic drugs is not recommended (7.1, 7.2, 7.3) 7.1 Metoclopramide Due to the risk of additive extrapyramidal adverse reactions, the concomitant use of metoclopramide and rivastigmine tartrate is not recommended.

Recommendation: This combination is not recommended. Talk to your doctor about alternative treatments to avoid these movement-related side effects.

Drug Class
metoclopramide Prokinetic / Antiemetic
rivastigmine Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor
Type
metoclopramide Prescription
rivastigmine Prescription
Summary
metoclopramide

Metoclopramide is a drug that helps with stomach problems. It can help food move faster through your stomach and reduce nausea.

rivastigmine

Rivastigmine (Exelon) is a medicine that helps improve memory and thinking in people with dementia. It works by increasing a chemical in the brain that is important for these functions.

What It Treats
metoclopramide

This medicine treats heartburn caused by acid reflux when other treatments don't work. It also helps with symptoms of slow stomach emptying in people with diabetes, like nausea, vomiting, and feeling full. This medicine is for adults and should not be used for more than 12 weeks.

rivastigmine

This medicine treats mild to moderate dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease. It also treats mild to moderate dementia linked to Parkinson's disease. Dementia affects memory, thinking, and the ability to do daily activities.

How It Works
metoclopramide

Metoclopramide helps your stomach muscles move faster. This helps food empty from your stomach more quickly. It also blocks a chemical in your brain that causes nausea.

rivastigmine

Rivastigmine helps increase the amount of a chemical called acetylcholine in your brain. Acetylcholine is important for memory and thinking. By increasing this chemical, rivastigmine can help improve these functions in people with dementia.

Common Side Effects
metoclopramide
  • Restlessness
  • Drowsiness
  • Fatigue
  • Feeling tired
rivastigmine
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Upset stomach
  • Weakness
FAERS Reports
metoclopramide
  • Uncontrollable muscle movements 13,205
  • Movement problems 11,628
  • Problem with the brain or nerves 7,175
  • Muscle spasms 6,661
  • Pain 4,665
rivastigmine
  • Death 2,176
  • Fall 1,664
  • Seeing or hearing things that are not there 1,365
  • Confusion 1,258
  • Throwing up 883
Serious Warnings
metoclopramide

Metoclopramide can cause a serious movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia. This may not go away even after you stop taking the medicine. The risk of tardive dyskinesia increases with long-term use and high doses. Call your doctor right away if you have uncontrolled muscle movements.

rivastigmine

This medicine can cause significant nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and weight loss. These side effects can lead to dehydration, which can be serious. If you have a skin reaction that spreads, stop taking this medicine.

Pregnancy
metoclopramide

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if this medicine will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medicine while breastfeeding.

rivastigmine

It is not known if rivastigmine will harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if rivastigmine passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you are taking this medicine.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This metoclopramide vs rivastigmine Comparison

metoclopramide is classified in the Prokinetic / Antiemetic drug class, while rivastigmine sits within the Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, metoclopramide has 43,334 submissions while rivastigmine has 7,346. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to both drugs can cause similar side effects related to muscle control and movement. taking them together increases the risk of developing shaky movements or muscle stiffness.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between metoclopramide and rivastigmine - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.