Domperidone: A Peripherally Acting Dopamine₂-Receptor Antagonist

Abstract

Domperidone is a unique gastrokinetic and antiemetic drug. Because of its favorable safety profile, domperidone appears to be an attractive alternative to metoclopramide. In the management of diabetic gastropathy, domperidone's antiemetic activity distinguishes it from cisapride.

Efficacy and Tolerability of Levosulipride, Domperidone and Metoclopramide in Patients with Non-Ulcer Functional Dyspepsia: A Comparative Analysis

“…On the other hand Domperidone has a dual anti-emetic effect. First, it acts on dopamine receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone in the area postrema (does not normally cross the blood-brain barrier) and Second, it acts on D2-receptors at the gastro-esophageal and gastroduodenal junctions apart from these effects it may also inhibit cholinesterase activity [13,14].…”

Physiological Modulation of Intestinal Motility by Enteric Dopaminergic Neurons and the D2Receptor: Analysis of Dopamine Receptor Expression, Location, Development, and Function in Wild-Type and Knock-Out Mice

“…5-HT 4 receptors, moreover, like D 2 , are most concentrated on neurites within enteric ganglia (Liu et al, 2005). Domperidone (Barone, 1999;Drolet et al, 2000) and tegaserod are both used therapeutically as prokinetic agents, although domperidone is often thought to be more effective on the proximal gut (Longo and Vernava, 1993;Jost, 1997) and so has been used to relieve the symptoms of dyspepsia and gastroparesis (Horowitz and Fraser, 1995;Tonini et al, 2004), whereas tegaserod is used to treat chronic constipation and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (Prather et al, 2000;Muller-Lissner et al, 2001;Johanson, 2004;Galligan and Vanner, 2005). Domperidone and DA, however, have both been shown to exert effects on the colon and rectum as well as on the upper bowel (Wiley and Owyang, 1987), whereas tegaserod accelerates gastric emptying (Degen et al, 2001;James et al, 2004;Crowell et al, 2005) and has also been useful in treating dyspepsia and gastroparesis (Banh et al, 2005;Galligan and Vanner, 2005;Zuberi et al, 2005).…”

Nursing the Adopted Infant

“…Domperidone is not available commercially in the United States. 5,6 In July 2004, recognizing that many women were using domperidone to increase milk production, the FDA issued a warning against importing and using domperidone for any use, including lactation. 7 The warning is based on published reports of cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death in patients treated with intravenous domperidone.…”