Getting a Prescription
Talk with your doctor if you experience severe nausea and vomiting. If you have diabetes, gastritis, or take medication that causes nausea and vomiting, let your doctor know if it's debilitating or doesn't go away. If they suspect that domperidone would speed digestion and relief your symptoms, they'll prescribe a daily dose of 1 to 3 10-mg tablets for you to take.Did You Know? The FDA hasn't approved domperidone, so it's not easy to get a prescription for it in the U.S. If your doctor thinks you'd benefit from taking domperidone, they'll need to fill out an investigative new drug form and get FDA approval. For example, if you have dyspepsia from Parkinson's medication, your doctor may put you on domperidone temporarily.
Tell your doctor if you're on medication or are pregnant. Go over your medical history with the doctor and tell them if you're taking any medications, especially antidepressants, antibiotics, or antipsychotic medications. Since domperidone isn't safe to use during pregnancy, tell your doctor if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Domperidone isn't prescribed for people over 60, since there's a higher risk of developing heart problems. You should also let your doctor know if you have liver, kidney, or heart problems.
Avoid using domperidone tablets to enhance lactation. Although domperidone is sometimes used off-label to increase lactation, it hasn't been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration because of the risk of side effects. This means that if you're in the U.S. your doctor can't prescribe domperidone for problems with breastfeeding. If you live in a country where domperidone can be prescribed, keep in mind that doctors don't often prescribe it for lactation since it can pass through the breastmilk and cause an irregular heartbeat.
Using Domperidone Safely
Take a 10-mg tablet 1 to 3 times a day before you eat. Swallow 1 tablet with water about 15 to 30 minutes before you eat. If your prescription says to take more than 1 tablet a day, wait at least 8 hours in between tablets.Tip: Don't chew or crush the tablet since this could release the domperidone throughout your body too quickly. You should feel relief from nausea and vomiting within 30 to 60 minutes of taking domperidone. If you forget to take a tablet and you've already eaten, you can still take your medication. It just might take longer for it to work.
Take a tablet as soon as you realize you've missed a dose. If you only take 1 tablet a day, it's fine to take the domperidone as soon as you remember. If you take 2 or 3 tablets a day, take the missed dose when you remember as long as it's not within 4 hours of your next dose. The important thing is to not take 2 tablets of domperidone tablets too close together or you may develop side effects.
Watch for dry mouth or serious side effects like a rash or muscle spasms. Dry mouth is the most common side effect of domperidone. To get some relief, chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free candy. Although serious side effects are rare, call your doctor if you have trouble peeing or your eyes or muscles move strangely or uncontrollably. Get emergency medical attention if: You think you're having a seizure Your heartbeat becomes fast or irregular You develop a rash You have trouble breathing
Don't drink alcohol while you're taking domperidone. Although you don't need to change your diet when you're on the medication, you shouldn't have alcohol, which can worsen side effects. Drinking alcohol while you use domperidone can make you sleepy or make your heartbeat irregular.
Don't take domperidone tablets for more than 1 week. Domperidone isn't meant to be taken for more than a week because it can cause heart problems. Take the lowest dose for the shortest amount of time. Usually, this means you can stop taking it when your nausea and vomiting go away. If you continue to experience nausea and vomiting even after stopping the medication, talk with your doctor since you may have an underlying condition that needs treatment.
Keep the domperidone at room temperature and away from children. Store the medication in its original packaging and put it up high away from kids. Protect the medication from light, moisture, and heat. If the domperidone expires before you use all of it, ask your local pharmacy if you can give it to them to dispose of it.
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