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Domperidone: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What is Domperidone?

Domperidone is primarily used to treat gastrointestinal problems and their symptoms. It is a powerful antiemetic medicine that can also be taken to treat nausea and vomiting induced by some medicines. Domperidone also stimulates digestive motions and aids in bowel emptying. Each tablet of the medicine contains Domperidone maleate. The drug belongs to a class of medication known as dopamine antagonists and is consumed orally or rectally to aid bowel movement.

What are the uses of Domperidone?

Domperidone is primarily used to treat or prevent cases of nausea and vomiting caused by digestive problems, Parkinson’s disease, or chemotherapy. It is also used in the treatment of gastric motility disorders. This disorder can occur when the movement of food in the digestive tract is prolonged, thereby resulting in slow or delayed emptying of bowels. The medicine works in such a way that it improves symptoms and makes emptying quicker.

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    What are the side effects of Domperidone?

    Some of the common side effects of Domperidone include headache, dry mouth, dizziness, nervousness. Some patients may also have trouble falling asleep, hot flashes, stomach, and leg cramps. If the symptoms are bothering you, please do consult with your physician. Some severe side effects include chest pain, irregular heartbeat, edema or swelling of the ankles or feet, menstrual changes, etc. It is advisable to get in touch with your doctor if you experience any of the above symptoms.

    What is Domperidone

    Uses of Domperidone

    Side effects of Domperidone

    References

    1. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/556/smpc
    2. https://www.medicinenet.com/domperidone-oral/article.htm
    3. https://www.medicoverhospitals.in/medicine/domperidone
    4. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/domperidone/#:~:text=For%20these%20reasons%2C%20domperidone%20is,of%20nause%2C%20vomiting%20and%20reflux.
    5. https://www.1mg.com/generics/domperidone-ranitidine-simethicone-401464

    Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.

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    Frequently Asked Questions about Domperidone

    Domperidone is usually consumed at the lowest dose for the minimum duration possible. The treatment must not typically exceed a week. It usually starts to work within 30-60 minutes of consumption. If the symptoms persist and you feel that you will need to continue the medication for more than a week, consult with your physician.

    In most cases, it is perfectly safe to take Domperidone. However, if you are a heart patient or if you are taking other medication, it is always better to check with your physician if you can take Domperidone. You should take the lowest dose and stop as early as you can. The drug, however, is not usually recommended for pregnant women.

    Domperidone works by speeding up the passage of food through the stomach and digestive tract, reducing the feeling of fullness, bloating, and indigestion. It also works by inhibiting the activity of dopamine that induces nausea as well as vomiting. The medicine belongs to a group called dopamine antagonists and functions by mainly blocking the dopamine receptors present in the upper end of the digestive system.

    Domperidone does not cause weight loss. One of the side effects of taking Domperidone is that it causes an improvement in appetite, which leads to weight gain in some patients. The central role of medicine is to speed up the passage of food through the stomach and the digestive tract. This can lead to a bettering of one’s appetite.

    A strip of Domperidone 10 mg costs between Rs 20 and Rs 30 in India.

    Domperidone is given to augment milk production in new mothers. Doctors commonly prescribe one tablet of Domperidone (10mg) thrice a day until a time a good breastmilk supply occurs. The dosage may continue for many weeks. At times, the lactation consultant or your gynecologist might increase the dosage to 20mg (2 tablets) thrice a day.

    Domperidone is not approved by the FDA and is not legally allowed to be sold in the US. It has been banned in the US because it caused cardiac arrhythmia in cancer patients that turned fatal. It had been prescribed for the patients to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.

    Domperidone is usually not prescribed for children under the age of 12 years and babies. However, it can sometimes be prescribed for babies and children less than 12 by a specialist. In Europe, the use of medicine for children less than 12 years of age, newborns, and infants is no longer approved.

    Domperidone is not normally permitted for consumption during pregnancy. There are several other types of antiemetic medicines to treat nausea and vomiting in pregnant women. It is advisable to consult with your gynecologist before you consume the drug. It is still not clear how the medicine can affect the fetus, so you must talk to your doctor before deciding.

    Domperidone and Ranitidine are given as a combination to treat Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) as well as Peptic ulcer disease. Domperidone works in the part of the brain which controls vomiting. The medicine also acts on the dopamine receptors present in the upper digestive tract to promote bowel movement. Ranitidine, on the other hand, is an antacid. It reduces the amount of acid in the stomach, and this relieves conditions such as GERD.