Effect of domperidone on gastric emptying and secretion.

Domperidone (5 mg i.v.) was given singly or together with apomorphine (0.25 mg i.v.) to healthy volunteers. The gastric emptying rate of a test meal of 750 ml of water was then measured using a dye dilution and double sampling technique. The effect of domperidone on gastric secretion was evaluated in patients with duodenal ulcer who received domperidone (5 mg i.v.) prior to continuous aspiration of the stomach contents for 120 minutes. Domperidone markedly increased the rate of emptying of the test meal. Following apomorphine the gastric emptying rate decreased and domperidone antagonized this slowing effect. The composition of gastric juice was not affected by an intravenous dose of domperidone. Domperidone appears to modulate gastric contractile activity without affecting gastric secretion.