Domperidone Uses: What Are Domperidone Tablets For?

What domperidone is used for, how it works, dosage, side effects and how to get it in the UK — reviewed by our clinical team.

Domperidone is used to treat nausea and vomiting. It works by blocking dopamine receptors in the gut, which speeds up stomach emptying and reduces feelings of sickness. In the UK, domperidone is prescription-only and normally used at the lowest effective dose for up to one week.

Part of the Nausea & Vomiting Guide.

What Is Domperidone Used For?

Domperidone is licensed in the UK for one indication: the relief of the symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Within that licence, prescribers use it across a range of clinical situations where sickness has a gastric or dopamine-mediated cause.

• Nausea — from gastric causes, migraine, opioid medicines and other triggers
• Vomiting — short-term relief while the underlying cause settles or is treated
• Gastroparesis-related symptoms — persistent sickness, bloating and early fullness caused by delayed stomach emptying

For a complete clinical overview of nausea and vomiting, including all causes and treatment options, see our nausea and vomiting guide.

How Does Domperidone Work?

Domperidone is a dopamine D2 receptor antagonist with prokinetic properties. It works through two complementary mechanisms that address both the symptom of nausea and the underlying digestive dysfunction that often accompanies it.

Because domperidone does not cross the blood–brain barrier, it does not cause the drowsiness, extrapyramidal side effects (muscle stiffness, restlessness, involuntary movements) or prolactin-related effects associated with metoclopramide at standard doses. This makes it the preferred prokinetic antiemetic where central nervous system side effects must be avoided — most notably in Parkinson’s disease.

Domperidone for Migraine-Related Nausea

Domperidone is particularly effective for migraine because it does two things at once: it blocks the nausea signal at the chemoreceptor trigger zone, and its prokinetic action restores the gastric emptying that migraine significantly slows. That second effect matters — oral painkillers and triptans taken during an attack cannot absorb properly until the stomach starts moving again.

Domperidone for Gastroparesis and Functional Dyspepsia

Gastroparesis — delayed gastric emptying in the absence of a mechanical obstruction — causes persistent nausea, early satiety, post-meal bloating and upper abdominal discomfort. It is most commonly associated with diabetes (diabetic gastroparesis), previous gastric surgery or neurological conditions, though idiopathic cases occur.

Domperidone’s prokinetic action strengthens antral contractions and coordinates gastroduodenal motility to accelerate emptying of stomach contents. It is the preferred prokinetic agent in Parkinson’s disease because it does not cross the blood–brain barrier and therefore does not worsen the motor symptoms that dopaminergic treatments are used to control. Metoclopramide — the alternative prokinetic — does cross the barrier and can precipitate or worsen parkinsonian features.

Domperidone Dosage: How to Take It Safely

Domperidone 10mg tablets are the standard adult strength — and the only tablet strength licensed in the UK. The dose below applies to these domperidone 10mg tablets.

Domperidone tablets should be swallowed whole with water and taken 15–30 minutes before meals. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless your next dose is due within two hours — in that case, skip the missed dose and continue your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.

Domperidone and Breastfeeding

Domperidone raises levels of prolactin, the hormone that drives milk production. Because of this, it is sometimes used off-label (outside its UK licence) to help increase breast milk supply in mothers who are struggling to establish or maintain lactation. This use is not approved by the MHRA, and domperidone is not licensed for it.

Small amounts of domperidone pass into breast milk, but the quantity a baby receives is very low. If you are breastfeeding and need domperidone for nausea, tell your prescriber so your treatment can be assessed on an individual basis.

Domperidone and Cardiac Safety

In 2014, the MHRA reviewed the safety of domperidone following evidence that it is associated with a small increased risk of serious cardiac arrhythmias (specifically, prolongation of the QT interval) and sudden cardiac death, particularly at higher doses and in older patients. This led to a significant reduction in the licensed maximum dose from 80mg per day to 30mg per day, and restriction of the indication to nausea and vomiting only.

Your prescriber will assess your cardiac suitability before issuing a domperidone prescription. The following factors increase the cardiac risk and are checked as part of a clinical consultation:

• Known or suspected prolonged QT interval (congenital or acquired)
• Concurrent use of QT-prolonging medicines (including certain antibiotics, antifungals, antipsychotics and antiarrhythmics)
• Significant electrolyte imbalances (low potassium, low magnesium)
• Clinically significant hepatic impairment (reduces domperidone metabolism via CYP3A4)
• Use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (including ketoconazole, clarithromycin, erythromycin, ritonavir)
• Age over 60 combined with high-dose use (generally avoided in this group)

This safety assessment is the reason domperidone requires a prescription and cannot be sold over the counter — it is not about restricting access, but about ensuring appropriate clinical oversight. The online assessment at Access Doctor addresses all these risk factors before a prescription is issued.

Side Effects of Domperidone

Domperidone is generally well tolerated at standard doses. Because it does not cross the blood–brain barrier, it is notably free of the central nervous system side effects seen with metoclopramide and prochlorperazine.

• Dry mouth — common; sip water regularly
• Headache — relatively common; usually mild and transient
• Gastrointestinal effects — abdominal cramps, diarrhoea (uncommon)
• Breast tenderness or galactorrhoea (milk production) — domperidone raises prolactin levels; more common at higher doses and with prolonged use
• Cardiac arrhythmia — rare at licensed doses; risk is higher with concurrent QT-prolonging drugs or pre-existing cardiac conditions

Who Should Not Take Domperidone?

• Hepatic impairment (moderate–severe) — contraindicated; impairs domperidone metabolism
• Known or suspected QT prolongation — contraindicated
• Concurrent QT-prolonging medicines — including ketoconazole, clarithromycin, erythromycin, amiodarone and certain antipsychotics — contraindicated
• Prolactinoma — contraindicated; domperidone raises prolactin levels
• Gastrointestinal obstruction, perforation or haemorrhage — contraindicated
• Pregnancy — not recommended; insufficient safety data
• Breastfeeding — domperidone passes into breast milk; seek prescriber advice (see the breastfeeding section above)

Domperidone vs Other Antiemetics

Choosing the right antiemetic depends on the cause of nausea, the patient’s medical history and the need to avoid specific side effects. The table below gives a concise clinical comparison.

For detailed guidance on cyclizine — including how it helps with vertigo-related nausea — see our guide to how cyclizine can help relieve vertigo and nausea.

How to Get Domperidone in the UK

Domperidone is a prescription-only medicine (POM) in the UK. It cannot be purchased over the counter. However, you do not need a GP appointment to obtain a prescription — GPhC-registered online pharmacies with pharmacist independent prescribers can assess and prescribe domperidone following a clinical consultation.

When to Seek Urgent Medical Help

See a doctor promptly (same day or next available) if:

• Nausea and vomiting have not improved after 48 hours of treatment with domperidone
• You are unable to keep fluids down and show signs of dehydration
• You develop breast tenderness or unexpected milk production — this may indicate raised prolactin
• You have unexplained weight loss alongside chronic nausea
• You are a Type 1 diabetic with persistent vomiting and elevated blood glucose — consider diabetic ketoacidosis
• Nausea is a new symptom in someone on chemotherapy or with a known cancer diagnosis