Domperidone: What It Does and How to Use It Safely

Domperidone is a drug many people use to relieve nausea, vomiting, and slow stomach emptying. It can also be prescribed off-label to help with low milk supply in breastfeeding mothers. Availability and rules for domperidone vary by country, so always check with a local health professional before starting it.

How people take it

The usual adult dose is 10 mg taken up to three times a day, often 15–30 minutes before meals to help digestion and reduce nausea. Some prescribers use 20 mg doses in specific cases, but higher doses increase side-effect risks. For breastfeeding, doctors often prescribe short courses at the lowest effective dose—commonly 10 mg three times daily—while monitoring for benefits and side effects. Never change your dose without medical advice.

Use for short periods is common. If symptoms continue after a week or two, see your prescriber. Long-term use needs regular review because risks can grow over time, especially in older adults.

Safety tips and interactions

Domperidone is generally well tolerated, but it can cause side effects. Common ones include dry mouth, headache, abdominal cramps, and sometimes drowsiness. Less common but more serious effects involve the heart: domperidone can lengthen the QT interval on an ECG, which raises the risk of abnormal heart rhythms.

Because of the heart risk, avoid domperidone if you have known heart rhythm problems, low blood potassium or magnesium, or a history of sudden fainting. Also be cautious if you take other medicines that affect the heart rhythm or block the enzyme CYP3A4—these drugs can raise domperidone levels and increase risk. Examples include certain antifungals (like ketoconazole), some macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin or clarithromycin), and several antidepressants.

Before starting domperidone, tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, and herbal products you use. If your doctor recommends it, an ECG may be done before treatment and during follow-up, especially for higher doses or long-term use.

Stop and contact a healthcare provider right away if you have chest pain, fainting, fast or irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness, or severe skin reactions. For milder side effects, your prescriber may lower the dose or suggest an alternative.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding require careful discussion with your clinician. While some clinicians prescribe domperidone to increase milk supply, the evidence and safety profile vary, and it’s not appropriate for everyone.

Bottom line: domperidone can be effective for nausea, gastroparesis, and some lactation issues, but it’s not risk-free. Use it under medical supervision, review interactions and heart risk first, and report any worrying symptoms right away. If you need help comparing options or finding reliable pharmacies, MapleLeafMeds.com has guides and resources to help you ask the right questions at your next appointment.