Motilium (Domperidone 10mg) 21 Tablets/Strip

Motilium general information

What is Motilium used for?

Vomiting is your body’s way of rapidly getting rid of poisons, toxins or irritants from your system.  Nausea is the feeling of queasiness that is often the signal that you are about to vomit.  Nausea and vomiting are symptoms of several problems with the digestive system.  These include gastroenteritis, caused by a tummy bug (viral, bacterial, or a parasite like giardia), food poisoning caused by eating contaminated food, or other factors like stress.  Nausea and vomiting are also symptoms of indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, and problems with the muscular contraction of the stomach or intestines being out of rhythm.  Motilium tablets 10mg are used to help relieve acute nausea and vomiting, and to treat and relieve symptoms of problems with digestive system function.  

The vomiting reflex

Vomiting is known as emesis, and emetics are agents that trigger vomiting.  Medicines that prevent vomiting are known as antiemetics.  The vomiting reflex is activated in the brainstem, in the area postrema of the brain, which is known as the vomiting centre.  The area postrema also contains the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ), which is a group of nerve cells that can detect emetic chemicals in the blood.  These nerve cells then relay messages to the vomiting centre to trigger vomiting.  The vomiting reflex is also activated by nerve transmission from the stomach when emetics are detected in the stomach contents, to the vomiting centre.  

Digestive system problems

Symptoms of digestive problems include bloating, feeling full, heartburn, flatulence (gas), and abdominal pain or discomfort. 

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, has various causes that are commonly related to lifestyle choices such as diet and alcohol that triggers symptoms.  These include overeating, particularly fatty or spicy foods, drinking too much alcohol or caffeine, smoking, and some medications such as aspirin and some antibiotics.

Digested food from the stomach is expelled into the intestines for the next stage of digestion by coordinated muscular contraction.  Gastroparesis is a condition where stomach muscle contraction has slowed down, which delays emptying of the stomach contents.  This makes you feel you have a bloated stomach and also triggers nausea vomiting and other symptoms of digestive problems.  Gastroparesis can be due to several causes, including nerve damage following surgery, other conditions like diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, and some medications like narcotic analgesics.  Coordinated waves of muscular contractions, known as peristalsis, continue to push digested food through the intestines.  Dysmotility is a condition where the muscular contractions slow down or become weakened, causing food processing and propulsion through the digestive system to slow down.  If the food takes longer to move through the intestines, it can cause a blockage within the intestines.  This causes the intestines to become distended, resulting in feelings of bloating, discomfort as well as nausea and vomiting. 

Motilium tablets relieve symptoms of nausea and vomiting caused by digestive problems as well as helping to improve the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract.

Increasing milk production

Motilium tablets can also be used to increase breast milk production in women who are having trouble producing enough breast milk.  Domperidone in Motilium tablets increases blood levels of the hormone prolactin, which stimulates milk production in a new mother’s breast cells. 

How does Motilium work?

Motilium tablets 10mg contain domperidone, an antiemetic and prokinetic that is used to relieve nausea and vomiting; and to treat indigestion and other problems with digestive system function. 

The CZT in the vomiting centre of the brain contains many receptors for dopamine, a neurotransmitter that allows nerve cells to communicate.  When emetic agents or nerve signals from the stomach stimulate the CZT, dopamine is released by the nerve endings, and dopamine receptors are activated.  Domperidone in Motilium tablets is a dopamine antagonist, which means that it works by binding to dopamine receptors and blocking the action of dopamine.  This, in turn, blocks the transmission of nerve messages to the vomiting centre, which prevents the vomiting reflex from being triggered. 

Domperidone in Motilium tablets 10mg also has prokinetic properties, which means that it stimulates muscle contraction in the stomach and upper intestine.  By interacting with dopamine receptors in the gastrointestinal system, domperidone restores nervous control of normal coordinated muscle contraction.  This action helps speed up emptying of the stomach contents, and movement of digested food through the intestines, which helps relieve symptoms of gastroparesis and dysmotility. 

Increased prolactin release is an indirect result of blocking the action of dopamine by domperidone, a mechanism that can increase breast milk production.  Although Motilium does pass from the blood into breast milk, it is present in small amounts, and there is no indication that it will harm the baby.  Domperidone in Motilium tablets has fewer side effects than metoclopramide, which is another medication used for stomach problems and also stimulates milk production. 

What does Motilium contain?

Motilium tablets 10mg contain the active ingredient domperidone, an antiemetic and prokinetic that is used to relieve nausea and vomiting; and to treat indigestion and other problems with digestive system function.

What are the side effects of Motilium?

Most medications have some side effects, but they are not experienced by everyone.  Some side effects are commonly experienced when taking product name, but others are not so common, and you should discuss any problems or concerns with your primary care physician. 

Common side effects when taking Motilium include headache, abdominal cramps and dry mouth. 

Because domperidone does not cross the blood-brain barrier, it does not cause what are known as extrapyramidal side effects.  These include convulsions and involuntary muscle actions, associated with some dopamine-blocking medications. 

Domperidone increases the production of the hormone prolactin, which stimulates breast milk secretion, and this can cause breast enlargement (gynaecomastia) and temporary stoppage of periods (amenorrhoea).  These side effects are temporary and will stop as soon as you stop taking Motilium.  However, this action of domperidone can be used to help increase breast milk supply.

When should Motilium not be used?

Have a talk with your primary healthcare physician before taking product name so that you have a full understanding of what this medicine is for and how to use it.  There are some reasons for not taking a medication; these are called contraindications, and for Motilium you should consider the following before taking product name:

• Have you ever had an unusual reaction or an allergy when taking Motilium?
• Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
• Do you have any problems with your kidneys or your liver?
• Do you have have a condition where increasing gut motility could be harmful, such as gastrointestinal haemorrhage, mechanical obstruction or a perforation
• Do you have a heart condition?
• Do you have a pituitary tumour that causes over-production of prolactin (prolactinoma)?

What medications interact with Motilium?

Some medicines interact with Motilium tablets 10mg and may affect the way it works, or are affected by product name or increase side effects; you should discuss possible interactions with your primary care physician.  These may include the antifungals ketoconazole and fluconazole, antibiotics like erythromycin or clarithromycin, the antiarrhythmic amiodarone, diltiazem and verapamil for high blood pressure, ritonavir or saquinavir for HIV, antiarrhythmics like disopyramide and amiodarone, antipsychotics like pimozide, antidepressants like citalopram, gastrointestinal medicines like cisapride, opioids like methadone. 

If other medications may interact with Motilium, your doctor will discuss these with you. 

How should Motilium be taken and for how long?

You should take your Motilium tablets 10mg swallowed whole with a glass of water on an empty stomach 15-30 minutes before a meal up to three times daily. 

For increased breast milk production, the recommended dose of Motilium is up to two tablets four times daily.

The dose you take and for how long depends on what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendation.

Motilium is not intended for long-term use.  You should not continue to take your Motilium tablets 10mg for more than two weeks unless recommended by your doctor.

Missed dose of Motilium

If you miss a dose of Motilium tablets 10mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Motilium be stored?

You should store your Motilium tablets 10mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.