Domperidone. A review of its pharmacological activity, pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy in the symptomatic treatment of chronic dyspepsia and as an antiemetic.

Abstract

Domperidone is a dopamine antagonist that does not readily enter the central nervous system. Given parenterally or orally it increases gastric emptying of liquids and increases lower oesophageal sphincter pressure in healthy subjects. The antiemetic and pharmacodynamic profile of domperidone is similar to that of metoclopramide, although domperidone has a lower propensity to cause extrapyramidal side effects. Domperidone effectively alleviates symptoms of chronic postprandial dyspepsia and nausea and vomiting due to a wide variety of underlying causes and in some studies has been superior to metoclopramide. Vomiting associated with the administration of moderately emetic cytotoxic drugs is controlled in the majority of patients. Alleviation of the dose-limiting peripheral side effects (nausea and vomiting) of the anti-Parkinsonian drugs bromocriptine and levodopa, enables a higher optimum dose, with consequent improvement in Parkinsonian symptoms. Domperidone does not aggravate the extrapyramidal side effects of neuroleptic drugs. Control of cytotoxic-induced, and postprandial nausea and vomiting in children has been achieved with domperidone without evidence of extrapyramidal side effects. Indeed, side effects have seldom occurred with therapeutic doses of domperidone.