Domperidone 10mg Tablets

What are Domperidone 10mg tablets?

Domperidone 10mg tablets belong to a group of medicines known as antiemetic drugs. They are taken to stop you from feeling sick or needing to vomit.

Domperidone can be taken by adults and children over the age of 12 years.

This medicine comes as tablets or a liquid you swallow. You can only buy Domperidone when you have a prescription.

What are Domperidone 10mg tablets used to treat?

Domperidone is used as a treatment for nausea and vomiting. It can also be used to alleviate stomach pain if you are having end-of-life care (palliative care).

Domperidone is sometimes prescribed to increase milk supply in women who are finding it difficult to breastfeed. However, it will only be prescribed for this problem if other treatments have failed to work effectively.

Why is Domperidone recommended for nausea?

Clinical studies conclude that Domperidone is a very effective medicine for the treatment of nausea caused by a number of triggers. Research has also shown that it is more effective than several other medicines prescribed for the same problem. 

Additionally, the same study showed that the risk of side effects is relatively small. 

How does Domperidone treat nausea?

Domperidone works by blocking the messages that are passed between the brain and the digestive system. This causes the muscles at the exit of your stomach to relax, reducing the likelihood of you needing to vomit.

Domperidone is also able to block messages sent between parts of your brain known as the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and the vomiting centre. This helps to relieve nausea and stop you from vomiting.

This medicine gets to work after around 30 to 60 minutes.

Who can take Domperidone tablets?

Domperidone is an effective treatment for nausea and vomiting, but it may not be suitable for everyone to use.

You should inform your doctor if any of the following conditions apply to you before you start to use this medicine:

• You weigh less than 35kg
• You have ever had bleeding from your stomach or gut
• You have ever had an allergic reaction to domperidone or any other medicine in the past
• You have any conditions caused by a bowel obstruction, such as Crohn's disease or diverticulitis
• You have a tumour in your pituitary gland
• You have an irregular heartbeat
• You have liver, kidney or heart problems
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding
• You have recently had abdominal surgery

You are not normally advised to take this medicine while pregnant or breastfeeding.

This list is not exhaustive. Always read the patient information leaflet for full warnings.

Can you buy Domperidone tablets over the counter?

You cannot buy Domperidone 10mg tablets over the counter; it is a prescription-only medicine. You can only buy Domperidone if you have been prescribed it by a UK doctor or prescriber.

Up until 2014, you could buy Domperidone over the counter, but it was reclassified as prescription-only that year.

Can you buy Domperidone online in the UK?

You can buy Domperidone 10mg tablets online in the UK from most online pharmacies. You will need to complete an online consultation so a doctor or prescriber can assess your medical condition to ensure you are receiving the most suitable treatment for your condition.

Domperidone alternatives 

There are several different anti-sickness medicines available from Medicine Direct, which work in similar ways to relieve nausea and vomiting. There isn’t enough evidence to prove that one particular medicine is the most effective at relieving these symptoms, so you might need to try more than one to find the best treatment for you.

Prochlorperazine 5mg tablets are a widely prescribed medication to ease the symptoms of nausea. This medicine works to block the dopamine receptors in the nausea-causing part of the brain. Prochlorperazine comes as tablets and also as buccal tablets, which dissolve in the mouth and are ideal for people who have trouble swallowing medicine. They are also available in the branded version, Stemetil 5mg tablets.

Cyclizine works in a similar way to Domperidone and also provides relief after 30 to 60 minutes.