Domperidone: Uses, Alternatives, and What You Need to Know

When your stomach won’t cooperate—whether from nausea, slow digestion, or acid reflux—domperidone, a peripheral dopamine antagonist used to treat nausea and speed up stomach emptying. Also known as Motilium, it works by blocking dopamine in the gut without crossing the blood-brain barrier, making it less likely to cause drowsiness or mood changes compared to other antiemetics. Unlike metoclopramide, which can affect the brain and lead to side effects like tremors or restlessness, domperidone stays mostly in the digestive system. That’s why many people turn to it when other nausea meds don’t sit right.

But domperidone isn’t available everywhere. In the U.S., the FDA hasn’t approved it for general use due to heart rhythm risks, especially at higher doses or when taken with other medications. In the UK, Canada, and parts of Europe, it’s available by prescription or even over-the-counter for short-term nausea relief. If you’re using it, you need to know the dose, timing, and what to avoid. It’s typically taken 15–30 minutes before meals, and mixing it with certain antibiotics, antifungals, or heart meds can raise the risk of dangerous arrhythmias. That’s why knowing your alternative antiemetics, drugs like ondansetron, metoclopramide, or promethazine that treat nausea with different mechanisms matters. If domperidone isn’t an option for you, ondansetron (Zofran) might be better for chemotherapy-related nausea, while metoclopramide could work if you don’t have heart issues. For mild cases, natural options like ginger or acupuncture sometimes help, but they don’t replace medication when symptoms are severe.

People often ask if domperidone helps with breastfeeding issues. Some moms use it off-label to boost milk supply because it raises prolactin levels—but this isn’t its approved use, and the risks may outweigh the benefits. Always talk to your doctor before using it for this purpose. The same goes for using it for gastroparesis or chronic bloating. While it can help empty the stomach faster, long-term use without monitoring isn’t safe. You need regular check-ups, especially if you’re over 60 or have a history of heart problems.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real comparisons between domperidone and other treatments, breakdowns of side effects, and honest takes on what works and what doesn’t. You’ll see how it stacks up against other drugs for nausea, what doctors actually recommend when domperidone isn’t an option, and how to spot when you need more than just a pill to feel better. No fluff. Just clear, practical info to help you make smarter choices.