This medication is used to treat disorders caused by
decreased movement of the stomach and upper intestines (such as diabetic
gastroparesis, gastritis). It works by increasing stomach emptying and
movement of the upper intestines. Treating these disorders can help
decrease symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and constant feeling
of stomach fullness.
This medication is also used to prevent side effects
(such as nausea, vomiting) from certain medications used to treat
Parkinson's disease (including levodopa, dopamine agonists such as
pergolide).
This section contains uses of this drug that are not
listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be
prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition
that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your
health care professional.
This drug may also be used for nausea and vomiting from
other causes (such as chemotherapy, migraine headaches).
Take this medication by mouth as directed by your
doctor, usually 3 times daily (15 to 30 minutes before
meals).
The dosage is based on your medical condition and
response to treatment.
Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or
for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and
your risk of serious side effects (such as irregular heartbeat, tardive
dyskinesia) will increase. See also Side Effects and Warning
section.
Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice
while using this medication unless your doctor or pharmacist says you may
do so safely. Grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects with this
medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets
worse.
See also Warning section.
Headache, dry mouth, diarrhea, or abdominal cramping may
occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or
pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- swelling of the ankles/feet
- unusual tiredness
- mental/mood changes (such as nervousness, irritability,
restlessness)
- hot flashes
- breast swelling/pain
- unusual leakage of milk from the breast
- changes in menstrual periods
- decreased sexual ability
- drooling/trouble swallowing
- shaking (tremor)
- muscle spasm/stiffness
- mask-like expression of the face
Rarely, domperidone may cause face/muscle twitching and
uncontrollable movements (tardive dyskinesia). In some cases, this
condition may be permanent. Tell your doctor right away if you develop any
uncontrollable movements such as lip smacking, mouth puckering, or other
unusual movements.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking domperidone, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic
reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more
details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- recent stomach/intestinal surgery
- bleeding/blockage/hole in the intestines/stomach
- a certain tumor of the pituitary gland (prolactinoma)
- breast cancer
- liver disease
- kidney disease
- decreased or no stomach acid (achlorhydria)
Domperidone may cause a condition that affects the heart
rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely
fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe
dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right
away.
The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have
certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT
prolongation. Before using domperidone, tell your doctor or pharmacist of
all the drugs you take and if you have any of the following
conditions:
- certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT
prolongation in the EKG)
- family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in
the EKG, sudden cardiac death)
Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may
also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you
use certain drugs (such as diuretics/"water pills") or if you have
conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your
doctor about using domperidone safely.
Older adults may be at greater risk for very serious
irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) and QT prolongation (see
above).
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only
when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your
doctor.
Domperidone passes into breast milk in small amounts.
Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
See also How to Use section.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
A product that may interact with this drug
is:
Many drugs besides domperidone may affect the heart
rhythm (QT prolongation), such as amiodarone, bepridil, disopyramide,
dofetilide, droperidol, halofantrine, levomethadyl, mesoridazine, pimozide,
procainamide, quinidine, ranolazine, sotalol, sparfloxacin, thioridazine,
ziprasidone, among others.
Other medications can affect the removal of domperidone
from your body, which may affect how domperidone works. Examples include
certain azole antifungals (such as ketoconazole, voriconazole), cimetidine,
cobicistat, certain macrolide antibiotics (such as clarithromycin,
erythromycin), HIV protease inhibitors (such as nelfinavir), nefazodone,
rifamycins (such as rifabutin), ritonavir, certain drugs used to treat
seizures (such as carbamazepine), telithromycin, among
others.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include:
fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness, drowsiness, muscle
stiffness/spasm/twitching.
Do not share this medication with others.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.