Gastroparesis is a condition in which the stomach does not empty as quickly as it normally does. Symptoms include loss of appetite, unwanted weight loss, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating and gassiness. In some cases, the condition can be managed by a careful diet. In other cases, doctors recommend medications.
Several medications can be used to treatment gastroparesis. Most commonly prescribed in the U.S. are Reglan and erythromycin. However, they can have pretty serious side effects.
The medication recommended by my gastroenterologist is domperidone. Domperidone is widely used in Europe and in Canada but has not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the U.S. Gastroparesis patients in the U.S. can order domperidone from Canada, however. My doctor suggests ordering from CandaDrugsOnline.com but I’m sure there are other pharmacies from which to order, as well. I spend $24 for 100 tablets, 10 mg each, plus an additional $10 for shipping, so it’s quite affordable.
My gastroenterologist tells me he recommends domperidone because it’s highly effective and has far fewer unpleasant side effects than Reglan. Erythromycin was not an option for me because I happen to be allergic to it (it’s most commonly used as an antibiotic and I had a bad reaction to it years ago when it was prescribed for a urinary tract infection). But my doctor feels domperidone has fewer side effects and is safer than erythromycin anyway.
Domperidone works wonderfully for me. Every patient should talk with their doctor about which drug will be best for them and it might not be suitable for everyone, but it’s improved my quality of life immensely. Before I started taking it, I was nauseous most of the time. My stomach also hurt sometimes. The nausea was definitely the worst symptom for me, though. It’s wonderful to be able to eat comfortably again. If you have symptoms of gastroparesis, I encourage you to talk to your doctor about it and if you’ve been diagnosed with the condition, I suggest talking to your doctor about domperidone.
Sources:
Mayo Clinic Gastroparesis
Mayo Clinic Gastroparesis Treatment and Drugs