Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Emend vs. Reglan

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Emend (aprepitant) and Reglan (metoclopramide) are both used to manage nausea and vomiting, but they work in different ways and are used for different conditions. Emend (aprepitant) is a neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor antagonist that prevents nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, while Reglan (metoclopramide) is a dopamine antagonist used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and diabetic gastroparesis. Emend is taken for a short period (three days) during chemotherapy cycles, whereas Reglan is taken multiple times a day for up to three months. Emend is available as capsules and oral suspension, while Reglan comes in various forms, including tablets, liquid, and nasal spray. Reglan has a black box warning for tardive dyskinesia, a serious movement disorder, making it less favorable for long-term use. Emend, on the other hand, has many drug interactions but does not carry the same severe risk of movement disorders. Both medications are available in generic forms, making them more affordable options.

  • Emend (aprepitant)
    Metoclopramide (Reglan)
  • Emend (aprepitant)
    Metoclopramide (Reglan)

  • Summary of Emend vs. Reglan

    Summary for NK1 receptor antagonist
    Prescription only

    Emend (aprepitant) is a medication that's used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by certain anti-cancer medications (chemotherapy). It's usually given an hour before your chemotherapy treatment on days 1 through 3. Emend (aprepitant) is available as capsules for people 12 years and older. It's also available as an oral solution for adults who can't swallow and for younger children. Common side effects of Emend (aprepitant) include feeling tired and diarrhea.

    Summary for Dopamine antagonist
    Prescription only

    Metoclopramide (Reglan) is FDA-approved to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as well as gastroparesis in people with diabetes. Providers might also prescribe it off-label for morning sickness during pregnancy and nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. But metoclopramide (Reglan) isn’t a first-choice medication for these conditions because it has a black box warning for a serious side effect called tardive dyskinesia. Metoclopramide (Reglan) can interact with some commonly prescribed medications, such as risperidone (Risperdal) and quetiapine (Seroquel).

  • Indications of Emend vs. Reglan

    Indications for
    •Prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by certain chemotherapy; taken along with dexamethasone and a serotonin antagonist (e.g., ondansetron (Zofran))
    Indications for
    •Delayed stomach-emptying caused by diabetes (diabetic gastroparesis)
    •Severe acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD) when other medications haven’t worked

  • Pros and Cons of Emend vs. Reglan

    Pros and Const for NK1 receptor antagonist
    Pros
    •Might work well for people who didn’t see benefits with other antiemetics
    •Safe to take for children 6 months and older
    •Available as an oral solution, which is helpful for people who have trouble swallowing
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    Cons
    •Only prevents nausea and vomiting; can't treat nausea and vomiting if you already have symptoms
    •Not for long-term use (only for first 3 days of each chemotherapy cycle)
    •Many interactions with other medications, such as hormonal birth control and benzodiazepines
    Pros and Const for Dopamine antagonist
    Pros
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    •Available in many forms including tablet, fast-melting tablet, liquid, nasal spray, and injection
    •Typically starts to work in 30 minutes to 1 hour
    •A possible option during pregnancy
    Cons
    •Shouldn’t be used in children or for more than 12 weeks because of a higher risk of serious side effects
    •Needs to be taken multiple times a day
    •Interacts with a lot of medications such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, and opioids
    •Can't be used if you have Parkinson's disease, seizures, or stomach blockages or bleeds

  • Common Side Effects of Emend vs. Reglan

    Common Side Effects for

    Adults

    •Tiredness (13%)
    •Diarrhea (9%)
    •Weakness (7%)
    •Indigestion (7%)
    •Belly pain (6%)
    •Hiccups (5%)

    Children between 6 months to 17 years old

    •Lower white blood cell count (13%)
    •Headache (9%)
    •Diarrhea (6%)
    •Low appetite (5%)
    •Cough (5%)
    •Tiredness (5%)
    •Dizziness (5%)
    •Lower red blood cell count (5%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Restlessness (10%)
    •Drowsiness (10%)
    •Lack of energy (10%)
    •Tiredness (10%)

  • Warnings of Emend vs. Reglan

    Common Side Effects for
    •Interactions with other medications
    Common Side Effects for
    •Difficulty controlling muscle movements (tardive dyskinesia)
    •Other conditions with uncontrolled muscle movements (dystonia, Parkinsonian symptoms, and restlessness)
    •Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
    •Depression and suicidal thoughts and behavior
    •High blood pressure
    •Swelling in arms, legs, or around the belly
    •High prolactin levels

  • Prices with our coupons for Emend vs. Reglan

    Learn more about Emend
    Learn more about Metoclopramide

Compare other Post-Surgical Care and Nausea drugs

Emend vs ReglanGranisetron vs EmendSancuso vs EmendSustol vs EmendZofran vs EmendZyprexa vs EmendBarhemsys vs ZofranBonjesta vs ZofranDiclegis vs ZofranDramamine vs ZofranGranisetron vs ReglanGranisetron vs SancusoGranisetron vs ZyprexaKytril vs ZofranMeclizine vs ZofranPhenergan vs SancusoSancuso vs ReglanSancuso vs ZyprexaScopolamine vs SancusoSustol vs ReglanSustol vs ZyprexaTigan vs ZofranZofran vs AnzemetZofran vs CompazineZofran vs ComproZofran vs DexamethasoneZofran vs GranisetronZofran vs Pepto BismolZofran vs SancusoZofran vs Sustol
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.