General Health

Medicines that enhance or stimulate the movement of the intestine (motility stimulants) are used for treating non-ulcer dyspepsia and reflux oesophagitis. Metoclopramide and domperidone speed emptying of the stomach and increase the movement of the intestines thereby helping the flow of contents along the gut. They also help to enhance the narrowing of the muscle between the stomach and gullet and control acid leaking from the stomach into the gullet. Both drugs also act on the central nervous system as anti-emetics and are used for controlling nausea and vomiting.

Metoclopramide and occasionally domperidone can cause unwanted parkinsonian effects (similar to the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease), such as spasms of the facial muscles and abnormal movements of the eyes. Contact your doctor if these effects occur. The effects are more common in younger people (especially girls and young women) and the very old. They usually happen just after starting treatment, but will fade a day or so after stopping the drug.

Cisapride (brand names Alirnix; Prepulsid) is a newer drug which is similar to metoclopramide and domperidone. It does not act on the central nervous system and is unlikely to cause parkinsonian unwanted effects.

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General health