2. What should I know before I take METOMAX?
Do not take if you have ever had an allergic reaction to paracetamol and/or metoclopramide,
or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with METOMAX and affect how it works.
4. How do I take METOMAX?
The initial dosage for adults is 1 to 2 capsules and then 1-2 capsules every 4 hours,
as needed. Do not take more than 6 capsules in 24 hours, and do not take it for longer
than 48 hours at a time unless advised to by a doctor.
METOMAX should be taken at the first sign of a migraine attack.
Swallow the capsule with a glass of water.
5. What should I know while using METOMAX?
|
Things you should do
|
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using METOMAX.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if nausea, vomiting or headache persists.
|
|
Things you should not do
|
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if they have similar symptoms.
Do not take METOMAX to treat any other complaints unless your doctor or pharmacist
tells you to.
Do not take METOMAX with other products containing paracetamol, unless advised to
do so by a doctor or pharmacist.
|
|
Driving or using machines
|
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how METOMAX
affects you.
|
|
Drinking alcohol
|
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking METOMAX.
|
|
Looking after your medicine
|
Keep your METOMAX capsules in the original packaging, in a cool dry place, away from
moisture or heat where the temperature stays below 25°C.
|
6. Are there any side effects?
Very common side effects of METOMAX include restlessness, drowsiness, fatigue, and
lethargy. Common side effects include insomnia, headache, dizziness, nausea, or bowel
upsets. Serious side effects of METOMAX include unusual changes in mood, different
types of muscle spasms or rigidity, an allergic reaction, difficulty breathing, severe
drowsiness/fatigue, or a bluish discolouration of the skin.
For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section
6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
Active ingredient(s):
paracetamol & metoclopramide hydrochloride (as monohydrate)
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using METOMAX. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using METOMAX.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I taking METOMAX?
METOMAX contains the active ingredients paracetamol and metoclopramide hydrochloride
(as monohydrate). METOMAX is used for the relief of headache, nausea and vomiting associated with migraine.
Metoclopramide helps control nausea and vomiting caused by migraine and other illnesses.
It works by blocking the action of a chemical in the brain which causes nausea and
vomiting. It also acts in the stomach and upper intestine to increase muscle contractions.
Paracetamol is an analgesic. It provides effective temporary relief from pain (such
as headache).
2. What should I know before I take METOMAX?
Warnings
Do not take METOMAX if:
you have any of the following health conditions:
porphyria (causing pain, nausea and vomiting)
pain in the stomach, chest, legs or back
bleeding from the stomach and/or digestive tract
intestinal blockage
recent surgery on the stomach and/or digestive tract
phaeochromocytoma (a rare tumour of the adrenal gland)
epilepsy (fits).
you are allergic to metoclopramide, paracetamol or any of the ingredients listed at
the end of this leaflet.
Some symptoms of an allergic reaction may include;
shortness of breath
wheezing or difficulty in breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or any other parts of the body
rash, itching or hives on the skin.
the expiry date printed on the pack has passed.
the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering, or if the capsules do not look
quite right.
Check with your doctor if you:
have any other medical conditions, especially the following:
epilepsy - metoclopramide may increase the risk of you having a fit
breast cancer
liver or kidney disease
Parkinson's disease, a condition affecting muscle control and movement
you have had movements that you cannot control, mainly of the tongue, mouth, jaw,
arms and legs after taking metoclopramide or medicines used to calm emotional and
mental problems.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you plan to have surgery.
METOMAX should not be taken immediately after certain types of operations.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have had any allergy to any other medicines,
or any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure whether you should start taking
METOMAX.
During treatment with METOMAX, tell your doctor straight away if you have severe illnesses,
including severe renal impairment or sepsis (when bacteria and their toxins circulate
in the blood leading to organ damage), or you suffer from malnutrition, chronic alcoholism
or if you are also taking flucloxacillin (an antibiotic). A serious condition called
metabolic acidosis (a blood and fluid abnormality) has been reported in patients in
these situations when paracetamol is taken at regular doses for a prolonged period
or when paracetamol is taken together with flucloxacillin. Symptoms of metabolic acidosis
may include: serious breathing difficulties with deep rapid breathing, drowsiness,
feeling sick (nausea) and being sick (vomiting).
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Do not take METOMAX if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
It may affect the developing baby if you take it during pregnancy.Do not take METOMAX if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
METOMAX passes into breast milk and, although the effect on your baby is not known,
there is a possibility that your breastfed baby may be affected.
Use in Children
Do not give METOMAX to children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
The safety of this medicine in children under 18 years of age has not been established.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and METOMAX may interfere with each other. These include:
medicines used to prevent blood clots
medicines used to treat epilepsy
pain relievers such as codeine and morphine
some medicines found in travel sickness, hay fever and allergy, stomach cramps, and
cough and cold preparations
medicines used to treat anxiety or help you to sleep
medicines used to treat certain mental and emotional conditions, such as schizophrenia
tetracycline antibiotics
levodopa, a medicine used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease
digoxin, a medicine used to treat heart failure
flucloxacillin, an antibiotic, due to a serious risk of blood and fluid abnormality
(called metabolic acidosis) that must have urgent treatment. See Section
2. What should I know before I take METOMAX? for further information.
other paracetamol-containing products.
These medicines may be affected by METOMAX or may affect how well it works. You may
need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines.
Your doctor or pharmacist has a more complete list of medicines to avoid while taking
METOMAX.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect METOMAX.
4. How do I take METOMAX?
How much to take
The initial dose for adults is 1 to 2 capsules and then 1-2 capsules every 4 hours,
as needed.
Do not take more than 6 capsules in 24 hours.
Do not take more than the recommended dose.
How to take METOMAX
Swallow the capsules whole with a full glass of water.
When to take METOMAX
METOMAX should be taken at the first sign of a migraine attack.
How long to take it for
METOMAX is not intended for long-term use.
Do not take it for longer than 48 hours at a time unless advised to by a doctor.
If you forget to take METOMAX
If symptoms persist, take your next dose when you are meant to.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for
some hints.
If you take too much METOMAX
If you think that you or anyone else has taken too much METOMAX, urgent medical attention
may be required.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(Australia telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
There is a risk of delayed, serious liver damage.
5. What should I know while taking METOMAX?
Things you should do
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if nausea, vomiting or headache persists or worsens.
Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking
METOMAX.
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist
that you are taking METOMAX.
Tell your doctor straight away if:
you become pregnant while you are taking METOMAX
Things you should not do
Do not take METOMAX for longer than 48 hours at a time unless advised to by a doctor.
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if they have similar symptoms.
Do not take METOMAX to treat any other complaints unless your doctor or pharmacist
tells you to.
Do not take METOMAX with other products containing paracetamol, unless advised to
do so by a doctor or pharmacist.
No more than 4 g of paracetamol should be taken in any 24 hour period.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how METOMAX
affects you.
METOMAX may cause drowsiness, tiredness or dizziness in some people. If any of these
occur, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Drinking alcohol
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking METOMAX.
Combining METOMAX with alcohol can make you more sleepy or drowsy.
Looking after your medicine
Store below 25°C.
Keep your capsules in the original container until it is time to take them.
Store METOMAX in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight. For example,
do not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on window sills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
Do not take this medicine after the expiry date.
If you no longer need to take this medicine or if the expiry date has passed, you
can take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
Serious side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available from your pharmacist without a doctor's prescription.
What METOMAX contains
|
Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
|
paracetamol 500 mg
metoclopramide hydrochloride (as monohydrate) 5 mg
|
|
Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
|
colloidal anhydrous silica
magnesium stearate
purified talc
sodium starch glycollate
black ink (ID 2328, ID 2343)
gelatin capsule size 0 (ID 11306).
|
|
Potential allergens
|
sulfites
|
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What METOMAX looks like
METOMAX is a capsule marked with a Greek alpha symbol on the green section and "P500|M5"
on the yellow section (AUST R 121343).
Each pack contains 10 capsules.
Who distributes METOMAX
Alphapharm Pty Ltd trading as Viatris
Level 1, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
Phone: 1800 274 276
This leaflet was prepared in November 2025.
METOMAX® is a Viatris company trade mark
METOMAX_cmi\Nov25/00