Domperidone: a drug with powerful action on the lower esophageal sphincter pressure.

The action of domperidone is studied by manometry of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) in healthy volunteers. This antimetic and gastrokinetic is devoid of central nervous side effects because it does not cross the blood-brain barrier. A low dose of this drug, 10 mg i.v., was able to increase the LES pressure to 275% above the basal pressure. This effect was rapid and prolonged and not mediated bay gastrin. Because in vitro studies have shown that domperidone inhibits the dopaminergic system, this points to the role of dopaminergic receptors in the regulation of the LES pressure.