Domperidone

Domperidone helps treat indigestion, gastroesophageal reflux disease, nausea, and vomiting in children. It increases the movement of food through the stomach and intestines, thereby relieving bloating, fullness, and gastric discomfort.

Domperidone is best given half an hour before each meal. If given after meals, it will still work but the absorption of the medicine may get affected. For young babies, the doctor may prescribe giving it four times each day. Wait for at least 4 hours between doses and give each dose just before a milk feed. The doses usually vary depending upon your child's condition, body weight, and age. Never exceed the prescribed duration without consulting the doctor. If your child vomits within 30 minutes of the intake, repeat the same dose once your child calms down, but do not double dose if it is time for the next dose.

This medicine may cause some minor and temporary side effects such as dry mouth, headache, drowsiness, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. Usually, these episodes subside once your child's body adapts to the medicine. However, if these side effects persist or become bothersome for your child, report to the doctor without any delay.

Your child's doctor should be aware if your child has had any previous episodes of allergy, heart problem, a blood disorder, birth defects, airway obstruction, lung anomaly, gastrointestinal problem, skin disorder, liver impairment, and kidney malfunction. Being aware of your child's entire medical history will help the doctor make critical dose alterations and plan your child's overall treatment.

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (Acid reflux)
• Treatment of Indigestion
• Treatment of Nausea
• Treatment of Vomiting

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (Acid reflux)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic (long-term) condition that is like having heartburn consistently rather than just occasionally. It happens because a muscle above the stomach relaxes too much and allows stomach contents to come back up into the esophagus and mouth. Domperidone helps treat this condition by increasing the tone of the lower end of the food pipe and preventing the entry of acid. You should give it to your child exactly as prescribed for it to be effective.

Treatment of Indigestion
Indigestion means discomfort of mainly the upper part of your stomach which may also have other symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, feeling full, etc. Domperidone improves the movement of food in your stomach and gut (intestine). This relieves these symptoms and helps in the proper digestion of food.

Take Domperidone as prescribed by the doctor. Think about what foods trigger indigestion and try to avoid them; eat smaller, more frequent meals; try to lose weight if you are overweight, and try to find ways to relax. Do not eat within 3-4 hours of going to bed.

Treatment of Nausea
Domperidone blocks the action of chemicals in the body that can make you feel or be sick. It is often used to prevent nausea and vomiting that may be caused due to some medicines. should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration necessary to control nausea and vomiting. It is also effective at preventing nausea and vomiting after an operation (in adults only). The dose will depend on what you are being treated for but always take this medicine as it is prescribed.

Domperidone does not pose serious side effects and is well-tolerated by children. In case the side effects do occur, they’re likely to subside once the body adapts to the medicine. Consult your child’s doctor if these side effects persist or bother your child. The most common side effects include-

Common side effects of Dom-One

• Dryness in mouth
• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Stomach cramp
• Diarrhea

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Check the label for directions before use. Measure it with a measuring cup and take it by mouth. Shake well before use. Domperidone is to be taken empty stomach.

Domperidone is a prokinetic. It works on the region in the brain that controls vomiting. It also acts on the upper digestive tract to increase the movement of the stomach and intestines, allowing food to move more easily through the stomach.

• Domperidone should be taken before meals as per the dose and duration prescribed by the doctor.
• Dry mouth may occur as a side effect. Frequent mouth rinses, good oral hygiene, increased water intake and sugarless candy may help.
• If needed, Domperidone can be given along with fever medicines unless your child’s doctor has told you not to.
• Do not mix Domperidone with any herbal or ayurvedic medicines as they can harm.
• Give Domperidone for the current illness. Do not save medicines to treat future symptoms.
• If you are not sure a medicine is working, do not stop the medicine abruptly by yourself. Call your child’s doctor for advice. Meanwhile, continue with the medicine.
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McQuaid KR. Drugs Used in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Diseases. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. p. 1078.

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