Many people suffer from functional irregularities of the digestive system,that part of the human anatomywhich is perhaps its most important. It generates energy to make possible the functions of the rest of the body. Its importance is critical and its proper functioning even more so. This is why people ask:  What is domperidone tablets used for?  Read on to find out more on how the digestive system is treated by domperidone.

The medicinal uses of domperidone

Domperidone is used to increase the movements of substances through the digestive system of the body.

It’s also used as a treatment for symptoms of disorders in the stomach.

It may also be used to intervene and prevent the occurrence of nausea and vomiting which are triggered by the use of other medications.

Despite its many uses, domperidone may not be used by women engaged in breastfeeding in order to increase breast milk output due to certain safety concerns.

How domperidone is used

Taking the medication normally involves taking it in liquid form or in tablet form about 30 minutes before meals and when you go to bed at night.

Avoid increasing your dose above the amount prescribed for you and abstain from taking the drug medication more times than what the doctor has directed.

It doesn’t mean that your condition will improve much faster than you think but taking it more often will definitely increase the risk of side effects.

What are the side effects of domperidone?

The following are the different side effect caused by this drug medication:

• headache, dizziness, dry mouth, nervousness, flushing or irritability – these may occur after the first several days of taking domperidone
• inability to sleep, stomach cramps, hot flashes, leg cramps – these have been reported to take place after taking the drug. You should tell you doctor if these symptoms continue to bother you.
• chest pain, slow/fast/irregular heartbeat, swollen feet or ankles, , problems urinating swelling of the breast, discharge from thenipple in both men and women, changes in menstrual cycles, sexual issues – if you experience the above symptoms, you should immediately notify your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautionary measures

It’s imperative that you have direct contact with your doctor so that you are able to inform them of your medical history especially if you’ve had: a history of breast cancer or allergies

It’s also important if you can lower yourconsumption of alcoholicbeverages.

In the case ofpregnancy, domperidone may only be taken if there’s a clear need for taking it and there are no risks to the mother and her child.

You should fully discuss the various risks and benefits of taking the drug medication with your doctor.

Medical experts have found that domperidone can pass into a woman’s breast milk. This is a clear risk for the infant being nursed and therefore the use of the drug during breastfeeding is strongly not recommended.

You should talk to your doctor before you actually engage in breastfeeding.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Taking domperidone during pregnancy is not recommended and it’s strongly suggested you find out as much as you can on how domperidone can impact you and your baby during pregnancy from the website. “Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy (BUMPS)

Breastfeeding and domperidone

Because domperidone can be passed into breast milk in small quantities, it should not be taken during breastfeeding. Consult with your doctor to find out all you can about the effects that the drug treatment may have on breastfeeding.

If the baby was prematurely born with low weight at birth or suffers from health complications, consult with your doctor before you take ant-sickness medication.

Supply of breast milk can be increased by domperidone but evidence also shows that it can also cause irregular heartbeat in a baby. Consult your doctor about benefits and risks of taking domperidone when you are breastfeeding.

Domperidone interaction with other drug medications

It’s clear that one of the most potent effects of the domperidone is in increasing movements of substances through the body’s digestive system.

This means that during the movement process, it’s possible that the drug may affect the absorption and movement of other medications through the body.

Because of this, it’s essential that you inform your doctor about any non-prescribed or prescribed medication which you have taken or intend to take, especially MAOI medications.

These would include furazolidone, phenelzine, selegiline and tranylcypromine. You definitely need the approval of your doctor or your pharmacist before you commence or end any medical treatment.

What about overdosing on domperidone?

If you realize that you’ve taken more domperidone than what has been prescribed for you, you should immediately contact the local poison control center or emergency room number in your area.

It doesn’t matter where you are when an overdose of domperidone has been taken. The most urgent thing to do is to be able to contact an emergency number for fast transportation to the nearest hospital or care center.

The symptoms that betray overdosing make themselves visible in the form of drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, irregular heartbeat, muscle cramps and twitching.

It’s also wise for you to attend periodical laboratory tests while you are taking so that the side effects can be detected and treated.

What happens if your missed a dose?

The moment you remember that you forgot to take your dose, you should take it the moment you remember.

If however, the time of your next dose is about to end, don’t take the missed tablet but wait for the time for taking the next tablet and take that dose instead.

You should not attempt to make ground for your “missed” dose by “doubling up” your dose so you can catch up.

Storing domperidone properly

The ideal storage method for domperidone should be at room temperature of between 59 and 86 degrees F (or 15 to 30 degrees C) clear of any heat or light and should definitely not be stored in the bathroom.

Bottom line

Knowing how a drug medication is used for treating conditions that affect our bodies is to travel one step closer to knowing whether or not the medication is in fact effective in treating the condition it’s supposed to treat. This article has gone further than that by providing insight into its side effects and when it should and shouldn’t be used as for example during pregnancy and how to take the medication properly by obeying instructions given by doctors and pharmacists.