Effects of intravenous and oral domperidone on the motor function of the stomach and small intestine.

One hundred and fifty-six patients referred for barium meal with follow-up examination, participated in a placebo-controlled blind assessment of the effects of domperidone against placebo, on gastric motility and emptying. None of the patients had organic obstruction, had undergone previous gastrointestinal surgery or were currently taking anticholinergic drugs. In one study, patients were randomly given either 10 mg, 20 mg or 50 mg of domperidone or placebo suspension orally 30 minutes prior to barium meal to simulate therapeutic conditions. In a separate study conducted under identical conditions, either 8 mg domperidone or placebo was given intravenously. Domperidone (8 mg i.v. or 20 and 50 mg orally) significantly promoted antral peristalsis and gastric emptying compared to placebo. The results suggest that domperidone improves motor function in the proximal part of the gastrointestinal tract and synchronizes motor function due to its protracted activity.