Vomistop 10 DT (Domperidone 10mg) Dispersible Tablets

Vomistop general information

What is Vomistop 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.  Vomistop 10 DT tablets 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. 

Vomistop 10 DT 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

Vomistop 10 DT tablets can also be used to increase breast milk production in women who are having trouble producing enough breast milk.  Domperidone in Vomistop 10 DT tablets increases blood levels of the hormone prolactin, which stimulates milk production in a new mother’s breast cells. 

How does Vomistop work?

Vomistop 10 DT tablets 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 Vomistop 10 DT 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 Vomistop 10 DT tablets 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 Vomistop 10 DT 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 Vomistop 10 DT tablets has fewer side effects than metoclopramide, which is another medication used for stomach problems and also stimulates milk production. 

What does Vomistop contain?

Vomistop contains 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 Vomistop?

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

Common side effects when taking Vomistop 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 Vomistop.  However, this action of domperidone can be used to help increase breast milk supply.

When should Vomistop not be used?

Have a talk with your primary healthcare physician before taking Vomistop 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 Vomistop you should consider the following before taking Vomistop:

• Have you ever had an unusual reaction or an allergy when taking Vomistop?
• Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
• Do you have any problems with your kidneys or your liver?
• Do you 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 Vomistop?

Some medicines interact with Vomistop and may affect the way it works, or are affected by Vomistop 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 Vomistop, your doctor will discuss these with you. 

How should Vomistop be taken and for how long?

You should take Vomistop tablets 10mg dispersed in a glass of water 15 to 30 minutes before meals. If you are over 16, you can take a tablet three times a day and at bedtime, if necessary.
To increase breastmilk the usual dosage recommended by lactation consultants is up to TWO tablets FOUR times a day.
The dose you take and for how long depends on what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendation.

Missed dose of Vomistop

If you miss a dose of Vomistop 10 DT tablets 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 Vomistop be stored?

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