Sinus arrest after administration of intravenous metoclopramide

Ann Pharmacother. 1995 Apr;29(4):381-3. doi: 10.1177/106002809502900408.

Abstract

Background: Sinus arrest is a rare complication of metoclopramide administration.

Case description: A 51-year-old woman developed Guillain-Barre syndrome and severe dysautonomia. Metoclopramide was administered for the treatment of gastroparesis. Sinus arrest followed drug administration on several occasions and on rechallenge.

Conclusions: After reviewing the literature and discussing possible etiologies for this unusual adverse drug reaction in this setting, we recommend that metoclopramide be used with caution in patients prone to develop bradyarrythmias, particularly those with dysautonomias and Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arrhythmia, Sinus / chemically induced*
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / complications*
  • Female
  • Gastroparesis / complications
  • Gastroparesis / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Metoclopramide / administration & dosage
  • Metoclopramide / adverse effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Paresis / complications
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy / complications*
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy / drug therapy

Substances

  • Metoclopramide