Drug Side Effects Info

Apo-domperidone, or simply domperidone, is generally used for disorders of the gastrointestinal tract by increasing the movements or contractions of the stomach and bowel. It is primarily used to relieve symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and bloating, which may be caused by various conditions or medications.

Domperidone is taken either by itself or in combination with other medications for health conditions such as migraines, stomach infections, diabetic gastroparesis, chemotherapy, radiation treatments and anorexia nervosa. Domperidone helps the stomach to empty more quickly, reduce acid reflux and false sensation of fullness. This medication can also be used by patients suffering from Parkinson’s Disease to decrease the side effects of nausea, vomiting and low blood pressure upon standing (postural hypotension).

Domperidone is generally well tolerated, although some side effects may be expected as with other medications. These side effects, if they occur, usually only impact approximately 1% of people on Domperidone prescription and may disappear as the body adjusted to it. The absence, or rather lack of side effects may be attributed to the fact that Domperidone does not enter the brain tissue in significant amounts, i.e. it does not pass the blood-brain barrier.

Among others, one may experience headache, dry mouth, hot flashes, breast enlargement or tenderness, breast milk secretion, and changes in menstrual cycle. Less common side effects include skin rash or itching, and symptoms of Parkinson Disease, e.g. shaking hands, stiffness, feeling off balance, or trouble walking, and unusual movements of the mouth, jaw, tongue or eyes.

These side effects are, however, extremely rare and are mostly reported in infants or by those taking more than the recommended dose. Notwithstanding, Domperidone is highly metabolized in the liver and should be used with caution in patients with hepatic impairment and in the elderly.

Incidentally, use of Domperidone is also found to increase milk production, resulting in its use to help breastfeeding problems. This effect is probably caused by the increase in prolactin, the hormone that stimulates the cells in a mother’s breast to produce milk. Domperidone indirectly increases prolactin secretion by interfering with the action of dopamine, a chemical that in turn decreases the secretion of prolactin by the pituitary gland.

However, Domperidone is not to be used as the first approach to solve breastfeeding difficulties; all other factors that may result in insufficient milk supply should be dealt with first. Clinical studies have shown that side effects of Domperidone use in nursing mothers are extremely uncommon, while the amount that gets into the milk is so insignificant that side effects in the baby should not be expected.