This medication is used to treat certain conditions of the stomach and intestines. Metoclopramide is used as a short-term treatment (4 to 12 weeks) for ongoing heartburn when the usual medicines do not work well enough. It is used mostly for heartburn that occurs after a meal or during the daytime. Treating ongoing heartburn can decrease the damage done by stomach acid to the swallowing tube (esophagus) and help healing.

Metoclopramide is also used by diabetic patients who have poor emptying of their stomachs (gastroparesis).