Domperidone is a powerful antiemetic and prokinetic medication that blocks dopamine receptors in the gut and increases stomach and intestinal movement. This versatile drug has helped treat many digestive issues since the late 1970s. Patients use it to manage nausea & vomiting from migraine headaches and discomfort from gastroparesis - a condition where slow stomach movement causes bloating and appetite loss. Domperidone tablets do more than just treat nausea. The medication gets more prolactin and thus encourages more breast milk production, which helps breastfeeding mothers who struggle with milk supply. Adult patients typically take one 10mg tablet up to three times daily. While the recommended maximum intake is 30mg per day, some cases may allow up to 40mg. The medication's benefits come with potential side effects that range from mild symptoms like dry mouth and headaches to serious complications like heart rhythm disorders. Patients should take the medication before meals to work better and should not continue beyond seven days without consulting their doctor.

What is Domperidone, and How Does it Work?

Domperidone belongs to a category of medications called dopamine antagonists with antiemetic properties. These drugs block dopamine receptors in the gut and the chemoreceptor trigger zone (located outside the blood-brain barrier). The medication rarely crosses into the brain, unlike other similar medicines, which means you will experience fewer neurological side effects.

The medicine helps in two main ways:

• It improves stomach contractions to move food through your digestive system better

• Your brain's signals that cause nausea and vomiting get blocked

These actions help increase lower oesophageal pressure, improve antroduodenal motility, and speed up gastric emptying.

Domperidone Uses and Dosage Guidelines

Doctors prescribe domperidone tablets to help with the following:

• Relief from nausea and vomiting

• Management of dyspepsia (indigestion)

• Treatment of gastroesophageal reflux

• Discomfort from gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying)

Adults & adolescents (12 years or older, weighing at least 35 kg) should take 10 mg up to three times daily, with a maximum daily intake of 30 mg. The medicine works best if you take it 15-30 minutes before meals.

The medication should be used at its lowest effective dose for the shortest time possible—usually no longer than one week.

Side Effects, Precautions and Who Should Avoid It

Domperidone's side effects are minimal for most users. 

Dry mouth affects more than 1 in 100 users as a common side effect.

Rare but serious complications include:

• Heart rhythm disorders, especially QT prolongation

• Higher risk of cardiac arrest in people over 60 or those taking daily doses above 30 mg

Some people should not take Domperidone. The medication isn't safe if you have:

• Moderate to severe liver problems

• Existing heart conditions or abnormal heart rhythms

• Electrolyte imbalances

• A prolactin-releasing pituitary tumour

• Gastrointestinal bleeding, obstruction or perforation

Your doctor needs to know about other medications you take, especially QT-prolonging drugs or potent CYP3A4 inhibitors, as these can interact dangerously with Domperidone.

Conclusion

Domperidone has the most important benefits for people who struggle with digestive problems and milk production issues. The medication helps empty the stomach faster and reduces nausea and vomiting. However, patients need to weigh these advantages against potential risks, particularly heart-related complications.

The right dose makes a big difference - take 10 mg tablets up to three times daily before meals. Never take more than 30 mg without your doctor's supervision. Your treatment should be short, ideally less than a week, unless your doctor suggests otherwise.

 It's a great tool to manage gastroparesis, reflux, and other motility disorders. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should definitely talk to their healthcare providers before they start treatment.

You must have an open discussion with your doctor about your health conditions and current medications if you are thinking about taking Domperidone. This conversation prevents dangerous interactions and will give a treatment plan that fits your specific needs. Take time to think over both benefits and risks before you start any medication.

FAQs

1. What is Domperidone used for?

Doctors use Domperidone to treat nausea and vomiting, including those from migraine headaches. The medication helps with dyspeptic symptoms when your stomach empties slowly. These symptoms include epigastric fullness, abdominal distension, and discomfort. Doctors also prescribe it for gastroparesis—when your stomach takes too long to empty. Some countries allow its use to manage nausea from Parkinson's disease medications.

2. Is Domperidone safe for increasing breast milk production?

Domperidone can boost milk production by raising prolactin levels. Research shows it can increase daily milk volume by about 90mL. Only tiny amounts of the medicine—less than 0.02% of the mother's dose—pass into breast milk. So far, breastfed infants haven't shown any side effects. However, this remains an off-label use, and no country has approved Domperidone for this purpose. The medication works best for mothers of premature infants rather than full-term babies.

3. What are the common side effects of Domperidone?

Dry mouth is the most common side effect. You might also experience:

• Headaches

• Abdominal cramping

• Diarrhoea

• Breast tenderness or milk production

• Reduced sexual drive

These side effects are usually mild and go away on their own.

4. Can Domperidone affect the heart or cause QT prolongation?

Yes, it is true that Domperidone slightly increases the risk of serious heart problems, especially QT prolongation, which can cause irregular heartbeats. People over 60, those taking more than 30 mg daily, and patients using other QT-prolonging medications face higher risks. 

5. How long can you safely take Domperidone?

Doctors recommend taking Domperidone for the shortest time needed—usually no more than a week. You should check with your doctor if you need it longer than 7 days. Using it for extended periods increases heart risks and might cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop suddenly.