For Those of us Taking Domperidone

[Daisy1234]

Hello everyone:

I was getting my chemo treatment at the cancer infusion clinic yesterday (Sunday April 15th) and each time I go to the cancer clinic they do a review of my prescription medications.

The nurse doing the review remarked that I was taking alot of Domperidone and asked if I was aware of the recent warnings that have come out with respect to this drug.  I wasn't aware of it, but today I did look at the warning and want to post the link for others who may be taking this med.  For myself, it is a quality of life issue that I need to take this drug for my severe gastroparesis, but everyone should be aware of the implications of this medication and weigh the risks for themselves.

Here is the link:  http://hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/medeff/advisories-avis/prof/_2012/domperidone_hpc-cps-eng.php

Daisy

[ohiolady]

Yikes, Daisy, I feel like you,  I take 60 mg a day and really need to take 80 mg a day.  What are you going to do?  Do you still take 20 mg a day 5 times a day?  My doctor requires me to have 2 EKG's a year.  She is at Cleveland Clinic and she very hesitantly gave me this dose.  I can only imagine she will want to cut me back at my next appointment in May.  This scares me but what do you do when you can't digest food?

Anna

[anita]

I'm prescribed the maximum dose (80mg/day).  When I having a better day I do try to reduce it and take less.  I had read about certain arrhythmias in conjunction with Domperidone, but like both of you, I have severe gastroparesis and this is the only thing that helps.

I find the excretory enzyme info quite interesting.  I have had problems in the past with meds that are CYP3A4 inhibitors.  It basically increases the plasma level (like an overdose) of meds using the same pathway.  I will be bringing this to my cardiologist attention as one of my cardiac meds is also a CYP3A4 inhibitor. 

Thanks for the post

[jazzlover]

Well, dang!! I was very interested in taking this... till now!!

I already have A-fib. My Dr will be interested in this. Thanks for posting!

[genko_b]

Thanks for the heads up. I take domperidone, on an "as needed" basis, which fortunately is not every day for me yet. But I'll keep this in mind as I expect the dose will creep up over time. Right now I have bouts of gastroparesis and then bouts of normalcy. I'm sorry for those of you who rely so heavily on it - there are not a lot of options.

Take care,

Genko

[Bonnie]

I had been taking this 4 times a day, I completely stopped menstruating because of this medication.  I now take it 3 times a day and have some days where I really struggle with gastroperis

My Gastro said this keeps happening with motility drugs, they start out as a new drug which has not been used by a lot of people.  Then this is such a required drug for people with many issues that in a really short timescale a huge amount of people are using them so the stats for problems are quite high.

He said that at some point there will probably be a newer drug that they introduce to replace domperidone hopefully this will not have the same side affect

[lori]

for many years i took propulsid...then thatcame off the market- then on  reglan for over 10. just recently got off reglan for fear of horrendous side efects it can have... i now take digestive enzzymes with every meal and snacks.  so far so good.

drinking fesh made ginger tea is good for digestion woes as well.

i know how it feels to have food just sit in yout gut after you eat but am thanking the Lord that digestive enzymes save my life

lori

[ohiolady]

My GI doc said Propulsid was a good drug but could not be taken with antifungals, which caused a problem and they pulled it from market.  There is a med in clinical trials for gastroparesis.  I keep hoping it will make it to market and work better than Domperidone.  Of course there is always the possibility of side effects with any med.  I've been on Domperidone for two years so I am trying not to fret too much.

Anna

[susanep]

What symptoms do you folks have with gastroparesis? I have been not having my usual signs when I need to go to the bathroom. It's more like when I need to go to get rid of water, then I do the other too, but wasn't aware of needing to before hand.

Otherwise, I also have the days where I just feel constipated. But being on gabapentin, I wonder if that makes a difference?

susanep

[lea78]

I have just been put on this medicine today, but hopefully not for long

[gardenlover]

thanks for posting!!  I was prescribed this, but had stopped taking it about a week ago as I found I didn't need it anymore.  Yikes, glad I stopped