What is this medication for?

Domperidone is used to provide relief from nausea and vomiting.

It may also be used to provide relief from symptoms of indigestion, such as bloating, excessive fullness, stomach discomfort, excessive burping and heartburn after eating.

Domperidone works by blocking the action of a chemical messenger, dopamine, which helps to stop you from feeling sick (nausea) and prevents vomiting. It also works to increase movement of food through the stomach and intestines more easily, which helps to relieve the symptoms of bloating, fullness and indigestion.

Domperidone may also be used for other medical conditions, please check with your healthcare professional.

How should I take/use this medication?

• Oral tablets/oral syrup: Take half to one hour before food

• Suppositories: Use this medication as instructed by your healthcare professional. It should only be inserted into the buttocks.

This medication is usually used for a short period of time, unless advised otherwise by your doctor.

What should I do if I forget to take/use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication

• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies

• You have an existing or a history of heart problems (especially rapid, slow or irregular heartbeats)

• You are aged 60 years or older

• You have kidney or liver disease

• You have a tumour of the pituitary gland called prolactinoma

• You have a stomach condition (e.g. bleeding or blockage in your gut) where an increase in gut contractions can harm you.

What are some common side-effects of this medication?

• Dry mouth

  • Suck ice chips or sugar free candy or drink frequent sips of water

• Headache or migraine

  • You may take paracetamol

• Diarrhoea

  • Drink sufficient water to replace the loss of fluids

• Irritation to the buttocks area (with use of suppository)

Consult your healthcare professional if the symptoms do not go away or become bothersome.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue

• Difficulty in breathing

• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

Very rarely (affect less than 1% of patients):

• Abnormal or rapid heartbeat

• Uncontrolled movements of the eye, tongue or legs (signs and symptoms of an extrapyramidal side effects)

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately

What food or medication should I avoid when I take this medication?

Certain antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, heart medications, medications to treat mental or mood disorders may increase the risk of side effects when taken with domperidone.

Avoid taking grapefruit or grapefruit juice when you are taking this medicine as grapefruit may interact with domperidone and increase the risk of side effects.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.

How should I throw away this medication safely?

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing it into the rubbish chute or bin.

Disclaimers

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last updated on Oct 2022