Domperidon-Hexal
Drug name: Domperidon-Hexal
Active Ingredients:
Domperidone
Therapeutic actions: Domperidone works primarily by blocking dopamine receptors found in an area of the brain known as the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ). The CTZ is activated by nerve messages from the stomach when an irritant is present. It is also activated directly by agents circulating in the blood, for example anti-cancer medicines. Once activated, it sends messages to another area of the brain, the vomiting center, which in turn sends messages to the gut, causing the vomiting reflex.
Blocking the dopamine receptors in the CTZ prevents nausea messages from being sent to the vomiting center. This reduces the sensation of nausea and prevents vomiting.
Indications: Domperidone is indicated for:
- Delayed gastric emptying of functional origin with gastro-oesophageal reflux and/or dyspepsia.
- Control of nausea and vomiting of central or local origin.
- As an anti-emetic in patients receiving cytostatic and radiation therapy.
- Facilitates radiological examination of the upper gastro-intestinal tract.
Contraindications and cautions:
You should not use domperidone in:
- Abnormal hole in the stomach or intestines (gastrointestinal perforation)
- Bleeding from the gut (gastrointestinal hemorrhage)
- Cancer of the pituitary gland resulting in over-production of the hormone prolactin (prolactinoma)
- Conditions in which stimulating movement through the stomach could be harmful (your doctor will know)
- Obstruction of the stomach or intestines.
- This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
- The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been established. It is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- This medicine passes into breast milk in small amounts. Seek medical advice from your doctor before breastfeeding.
You should talk with your health care provider prior to taking this medication in :
- Decreased liver function
- Infants and young children
- Prolonged repeated use in severely decreased kidney function
- This medicine is not recommended for long term use.
Adverse effects: Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Allergic reactions, such as rash or urticaria, have been reported.
- Abdominal cramps have been reported.
- Dystonic reactions (extrapyramidal phenomena) may occur.
- Reversible raised serum prolactin levels have been observed which may lead to galactorrhoea and gynaecomastia.
- Hypertensive crises in patients with phaeochromocytoma may occur with administration of domperidone.
- Where the blood brain barrier is not fully developed (mainly in young babies) or is impaired, the possible occurrence of neurological side-effects cannot be totally excluded.
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Interactions: It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.
- Concomitant administration of anti-cholinergic drugs may inhibit the anti-dyspeptic effects of Domperidone.
- Anti-muscarinic agents and opioid analgesics may antagonize the effect of Domperidone.
- Domperidone suppresses the peripheral effects (digestive disorders, nausea and vomiting) of dopaminergic agonists.
- Since Domperidone has gastro-kinetic effects, it could influence the absorption of concomitant orally administered medicines, particularly those with sustained release or enteric coated formulations.
- As Domperidone interferes with serum prolactin levels, it may interfere with other hypoprolactinaemic agents and with some diagnostic tests.
- Antacids and anti-secretory agents lower the oral bioavailability of domperidone. They should be taken after meals and not before meals, they should not be taken simultaneously with Domperidone.
- Reduced gastric acidity impairs the absorption of domperidone.
- Oral bioavailability is decreased by prior administration of cimetidine or sodium bicarbonate.
- The main metabolic pathway of domperidone is through CYP3A4. In vitro data suggests that concomitant use of drugs that significantly inhibit this enzyme may result in increased plasma levels of domperidone. Examples of CYP3A4 inhibitors include the following:
- azole antifungals
- macrolide antibiotics
- HIV protease inhibitors
- Nefazodone
Additional Information: DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, if needed during treatment, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials.
