domperidone at a glance
Medicine class
Dopamine antagonist with antiemetic and gastrointestinal prokinetic effects
Licensed use
Relief of nausea and vomiting
Food
Take before food; absorption is delayed after meals
Important risk
It can rarely cause serious abnormal heart rhythms
What is domperidone used for?
The selected oral suspension is licensed for nausea and vomiting. Other uses are outside its UK marketing authorisation.
Licensed: relief of nausea and vomiting in eligible adults and adolescents.
Non-licensed: increasing breast-milk supply may be considered by a specialist after feeding assessment and non-medical measures.
Non-licensed: sometimes used for symptom control in palliative care.
How does domperidone work?
Domperidone blocks dopamine receptors in the vomiting-control area outside the blood–brain barrier and increases movement through the upper digestive tract. It also increases prolactin release, explaining breast-related effects and its non-licensed use for low milk supply.
domperidone preparations and strengths
Oral suspension
Route: Oral
Strengths: 1 mg/mL
How to take domperidone
Follow the prescription label. Take oral domperidone before food because meals delay absorption.
Measure oral suspension using the supplied oral syringe or another suitable oral-measuring device, not a kitchen teaspoon.
Do not take antacids or acid-suppressing treatments at the same time; ask a pharmacist about timing.
Do not drive or use machinery if it causes sleepiness or affects your heartbeat.
domperidone side effects
Common or expected effects
- Dry mouth
Get urgent medical advice
- Fast or irregular heartbeat, fainting or collapse
- Seizure
- Uncontrolled movements of the eyes or muscles
- Difficulty passing urine
- Severe allergic reaction, including facial or throat swelling and breathing difficulty
- Persistent headache, blurred vision, breathlessness or chest pain, which may indicate severely raised blood pressure
domperidone in pregnancy
Domperidone may be considered during pregnancy when other anti-sickness treatments have not worked and the expected benefit justifies its use. Tell the prescriber if pregnant, planning pregnancy or concerned about exposure.
domperidone while breastfeeding
Only a very small amount passes into breast milk. Discuss use with a prescriber, particularly if the infant is premature, unwell, has heart or severe liver disease, or takes potentially interacting medicines. Specialist use to increase milk supply is non-licensed and should follow assessment and breastfeeding support.
domperidone interactions
Domperidone has important cardiac and metabolic interactions. A pharmacist or prescriber should check all medicines, including non-prescription and herbal products.
QT-prolonging medicines
Medicines including amiodarone, sotalol, citalopram, escitalopram, haloperidol, methadone and some antibiotics can increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythms; combined use is generally contraindicated.
Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors
Clarithromycin, erythromycin, systemic azole antifungals and HIV protease inhibitors can increase exposure and cardiac risk; combined use is contraindicated.
Diltiazem or verapamil
These can inhibit domperidone metabolism; combined use is not recommended.
Common questions about domperidone
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is domperidone used for?
Its licensed role is relieving nausea and vomiting. Increasing milk supply and symptom control in palliative care are non-licensed uses.
How quickly does domperidone work?
It usually begins working within about 30 to 60 minutes, although response varies.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.