Motilium (Domperidone)

What is Motilium?

Motilium belongs to the therapeutic class of drugs known as Antiemetics and pharmacologic class is Dopamine Antagonists.  It is also referred to as an Upper Gastrointestinal Motility Modifier.

What is Motilium used for?

Motilium is used to get relief from vomiting and nausea, which is caused by the medicines used for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

It is also used for symptomatic management of upper gastrointestinal motility disorders associated with chronic and subacute gastritis, and idiopathic and diabetic gastroparesis. Symptoms that can be improved by use of domperidone include nausea, vomiting, bloating, early satiety and gastric distention.

How does Motilium work?

Motilium starts its action by facilitating gastric emptying. It reduces small bowel transit time by increasing gastric and esophageal peristalsis and by decreasing the pressure of esophageal sphincter.

How to use Motilium

Take Motilium as per the instructions of your doctor or follow the directions carefully written on the label. The strength and amount of Motilium is different for different patients. Do not change your dose until your doctor recommends you.

Adults can take 10 milligrams tablet three to four times each day for the treatment of gastrointestinal motility disorder or your doctor may recommend you to take 20 mg tablets every day according to your medical conditions.

For the treatment of nausea and vomiting, adults can take 20 mg tablets three to four times daily.

Motilium warnings and precautions

Establish a regular appointment with your doctor to check the progress in your condition. Your regular visits will allow doctor to know whether the medicine is working correctly and to decide whether you further need this medicine or not. 

If you observe that your condition is not improving and it is becoming worse, you must discuss about it with your doctor.

Store Motilium in the closed container at room temperature and keep it away from direct sunlight, excess of heat and moisture. Strictly keep it out of the reach of children.

Tell your doctor, if you ever suffered from an allergic reaction to Motilium or any other drug. Consult your doctor, if you are allergic to any kind of food, dyes, preservatives or animals.

If you take any non-prescribed drug, read the ingredients carefully on the label of the drug. Motilium can alter the production or composition of breast milk. Therefore, lactating women should seek their doctors’ prescription before starting with Motilium doses.

What do I do if I have missed a Motilium dose?

If you have missed your Motilium dose you should take it as soon as you remember. However, you can skip the missed dose if it’s time to take the next one, and start your routine again. Never take two doses at one time.

What do I do if I have taken a Motilium overdose?

If you have taken a Motilium overdose you should seek emergency medical attention.

Motilium interactions

As Motilium is used to increase the movements or contractions of the stomach and bowel, it can also absorb and effect the action of other medicines.

Ask your doctor before taking medicines like phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline and furazolidone.

Motilium side effects

Less common side effects of Motilium are loss of balance and swelling of mouth. Very rare side effects include fast, pounding, irregular or racing heartbeat; and swelling of hands, face, lower legs, or feet.

Some of the less serious side effects of Motilium are swelling of breast in males, flowing milk from the nipples of females, dry mouth, headache, hives, itching, redness, pain, swelling of eyes, irregular menstrual cycle or pain in the breast. These side effects do not need emergency medical help but you must discuss about them with your medical health provider.