Metoclopramide-Induced Parkinsonism in Hemodialysis Patients

Metoclopramide hydrochloride is an antiemetic and gastric motility stimulant with a wide variety of extrapyramidal side effects, including parkinsonism. We describe two patients with end-stage renal disease secondary to diabetes mellitus treated with hemodialysis who developed extrapyramidal symptoms during treatment with metoclopramide. One patient with preexisting, well-controlled Parkinson's disease developed increasing rigidity and bradykinesia that became completely refractory to treatment with L-dopa and bromocriptine while taking metoclopramide for diabetic gastroparesis. A second patient with no history of Parkinson's disease developed a resting tremor and facial dyskinesia during treatment with metoclopramide. In both cases, discontinuation of metoclopramide therapy led to prompt improvement of symptoms.