Domperidone for breastfeeding mothers - What you need to know about this medicine

Today we are going to talk about Domperidone, a drug that many of you know by the brand name Motilium. Doctors prescribe this drug for nausea, vomiting, and some stomach problems. But in the meantime, you may have heard that this drug is sometimes used to increase milk production in nursing mothers. So is it really safe? What are the things to be careful about when using it? Let's talk about all this clearly today.

What exactly is Domperidone?

Simply put, domperidone is a medication that is used to treat nausea and vomiting. It is also recommended for conditions such as gastroparesis, which slows down the movement of food through the stomach.

This medicine works in a very wonderful way.

1. Blocking messages to the brain: This medicine blocks the "nausea" message from our digestive system to the brain. As a result, the nausea we feel disappears.

2. Stomach function: Also, it tightens the muscles in the upper part of the stomach and relaxes the muscles in the lower part. This allows food to move quickly from the stomach to the intestines. This reduces things like fullness and heaviness in the stomach.

Why is this medicine given to breastfeeding mothers?

This is a problem that many people have. One of the side effects of domperidone is that it increases the secretion of a hormone called prolactin, which helps in the production of breast milk. Therefore, there are times when this medicine is given under the close supervision of a doctor to mothers who have been unable to increase their breast milk supply by any other means.

There are a few special cases in which a doctor may consider this medication:

• If your baby was born prematurely.
• If you are adopting a child and trying to breastfeed that child (induced lactation ).
• If the baby is unable to suckle properly due to some medical condition.

What are the risks and side effects of domperidone?

Like any medication, domperidone can have side effects. Especially when talking about this medication, we need to be very careful about the effect it has on the heart.

The main and most serious risk is that it can affect the electrical activity of the heart, causing irregular heartbeats. This is called cardiac arrhythmia . This risk increases when taken in high doses or when taken with certain other medications . In very rare cases, cardiac arrest or even sudden death can occur.

Therefore, the use of this medicine is not approved in countries like America. Even if we use it in Sri Lanka, it should only be done under the advice of a doctor.

The table below categorizes the side effects of this medicine.

Who should not take this medicine and when to be careful

Domperidone is not a suitable medication for everyone. If you have any of the following conditions, you should definitely tell your doctor before taking this medication.

• If you are allergic to domperidone or any other medicine.
• If you have a history of heart disease or irregular heartbeat.
• If you have liver or kidney disease .
• If you have bleeding, a perforation, or a blockage in the stomach or intestines.
• If there is a tumor in the pituitary gland (Prolactinoma) .
• If your body weight is less than 35 kilograms (77 pounds).

Problems with other medications

Domperidone is a drug that can interact with many other medications. In particular, some antibiotics (e.g., Erythromycin), antifungals (e.g., Ketoconazole), HIV medications , and some heart medications can greatly increase the risk of heart problems when taken with domperidone.

Other safe ways to increase breast milk

As we've said before, domperidone should be a last resort. Before that, there are many things you can do to naturally increase your breast milk supply.

• Correct latching: This is the most important thing. When the baby is latching on properly, the message to the brain to produce milk is sent well. Consult your midwife or doctor about this.
• Feed frequently: Feed your baby whenever he is hungry. It is important to feed him during the day as well as at night.
• Feed from both breasts at once: After you finish feeding from one side, offer the other side to your baby.
• Pump after feeds: You can increase your milk supply by pumping both breasts for about 10-15 minutes after feeding your baby.
• Breast Compression: Gently massaging the breast while the baby is breastfeeding increases milk flow.
• Drink plenty of water, eat nutritious foods, and sleep well: A mother's physical health directly affects breast milk production.
• Minimize the use of pacifiers and bottles: These can reduce the baby's interest in the breast, especially in the first few weeks.

If you are still having problems with your breast milk supply after following these methods, don't panic and talk to your doctor . He or she will be able to provide you with the best solution.

Domperidone, Motilium, Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding mothers, Increasing milk supply, Nausea, Side effects, Women's health