Domperidone for gastro-oesophageal reflux

This leaflet is about the use of domperidone for gastro-oesophageal reflux.

This leaflet has been written specifically for parents and carers about the use of this medicine in children. The information may differ from that provided by the manufacturer. Please read this leaflet carefully. Keep it somewhere safe so that you can read it again.

Name of drug

Domperidone
Common brand: Motilium®

Why is it important for my child to take this medicine?

Domperidone helps to keep the entrance to the stomach properly closed, so that the stomach contents do not leak back up into the food pipe (oesophagus). Your child is therefore less likely to be sick (vomit) or have reflux after a meal or feed.

What is domperidone available as?

  • Tablets: 10 mg
  • Liquid medicine: 5 mg in 5 mL

When should I give domperidone?

  • Give domperidone just before each main meal.
  • For young babies, give domperidone four times each day. Wait at least 4 hours between doses. Give each dose just before a milk feed.

How much should I give?

  • Your doctor will work out the amount of domperidone (the dose) that is right for your child. The dose will be shown on the medicine label.

It is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions about how much to give.

How should I give domperidone?

Tablets should be swallowed with a glass of water, milk or juice. Your child should not chew the tablet.

Liquid medicine: Measure out the right amount using a medicine spoon or oral syringe. You can get these from your pharmacist. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount.

When should the medicine start working?

Domperidone works quickly to prevent vomiting with each feed or meal.

What if my child is sick (vomits)?

  • If your child is sick less than 30 minutes after having a dose of domperidone, give them the same dose again.
  • If your child is sick more than 30 minutes after having a dose of domperidone, you do not need to give them another dose. Wait until the next normal dose.

What if I forget to give it?

If you forget to give the medicine before a meal but remember during the meal, give the missed dose. If you remember after this, do not give the missed dose.
Never give a double dose of domperidone.

What if I give too much?

It is unlikely that you will give too much domperidone.

If your child is dizzy, faints, has a dry mouth or seems unusually floppy, they may have had too much domperidone. Contact your doctor or NHS Direct (0845 4647 in England and Wales; 08454 24 24 24 in Scotland). Have the medicine packet with you when you telephone for advice.

Are there any possible side-effects?

We use medicines to make our children better, but sometimes they have other effects that we don’t want (side-effects).

Domperidone is generally a safe medicine and causes few side effects. The side-effects will stop when they stop taking the medicine.

Side-effects that you must do something about

If your child has tremor (shakiness), moves strangely or slowly, or their speech is slurred, contact your doctor straight away.

Other side-effects you need to know about

  • Your child may get stomach cramps.
  • Very occasionally a child may produce small amounts of milk from the nipples. This is nothing to worry about, but tell your doctor at your next appointment if this happens.

Can other medicines be given at the same time as domperidone?

  • You can give your child medicines that contain paracetamol or ibuprofen, unless your doctor has told you not to.
  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist if your child is taking ketoconazole (a drug that may be used to treat ringworm and other fungal infections).
  • Check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving any other medicines to your child. This includes herbal or complementary medicines.

Is there anything else I need to know about this medicine?

  • Many parents find that caring for a baby or child with gastro-oesophageal reflux is stressful and tiring. Talk to your health visitor or doctor if you are struggling to cope.

General advice about medicines

  • Only give this medicine to your child. Never give it to anyone else, even if their condition appears to be the same, as this could do harm.

If you think someone else may have taken the medicine by accident, contact your doctor straight away.

  • Make sure that you always have enough medicine. Order a new prescription at least 2 weeks before you will run out.
  • Make sure that the medicine you have at home has not reached the ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date on the packaging. Give old medicines to your pharmacist to dispose of.

Where should I keep this medicine?

  • Keep the medicines in a cupboard, away from heat and direct sunlight. It does not need to be kept in the fridge.
  • Make sure that children cannot see or reach the medicine.
  • Keep the medicine in the container it came in.

Who to contact for more information

Your child’s doctor, pharmacist or health visitor will be able to give you more information about domperidone and other medicines used to treat gastro-oesophageal reflux.


You can also get useful information from:


Publication Date

8/12/2011

Copyright Disclaimer

Version 1.3, February 2010 (January 2012). © NPPG, RCPCH and WellChild 2010, all rights reserved.

The primary source for the information in this leaflet is the British National Formulary for Children. For details on any other sources used for this leaflet, please contact us through our website, www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk

We take great care to make sure that the information in this leaflet is correct and up-to-date. However, medicines can be used in different ways for different patients. It is important that you ask the advice of your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about something. This leaflet is about the use of these medicines in the UK, and may not apply to other countries. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group (NPPG), WellChild and the contributors and editors cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information, omissions of information, or any actions that may be taken as a consequence of reading this leaflet.