Motilium
In brief
- Motilium (domperidone) is a prescription-only medicine in the UK.
- Motilium is used to relieve nausea and vomiting and to help stomach emptying in conditions such as gastroparesis. It is a prokinetic and antiemetic medicine that works by blocking dopamine D2 receptors, which helps increase movement in the upper digestive tract and reduces the feeling of sickness.
- The usual dose for adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over is 10 mg up to 3 times a day. Children under 12 years or under 35 kg are not usually given domperidone.
- It is available as 10 mg tablets and as an oral suspension.
- Motilium usually begins to work within 30 to 60 minutes, although this can vary depending on the person, the dose, and whether it is taken with food.
- The duration of action is typically several hours, and it is usually taken up to 3 times daily for short-term use, such as up to 7 days for nausea and vomiting.
- Alcohol is best avoided, as it may worsen dizziness, drowsiness, and stomach upset, and can make nausea harder to control.
- The most common side effects are headache, dry mouth, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, drowsiness, and raised prolactin levels, which may cause breast tenderness or menstrual changes.
- Would you like to try Motilium without a prescription?
Basic Motilium information
- INN (international nonproprietary name): Domperidone
- Brand names available in the United Kingdom: Motilium
- ATC code: A03FA03
- Forms and dosages: Tablet 10 mg, oral suspension 1 mg/mL
- Manufacturers in the United Kingdom: Janssen Pharmaceutica, Mylan, Teva
- Registration status in the United Kingdom: Prescription-only medicine
- OTC / Rx classification: Prescription-only medicine (POM)
Motilium at a glance
Common uses
Motilium is used to deal with nausea, vomiting, feeling full too quickly, or the sense that food is sitting in the stomach for too long.
It is often prescribed after a stomach bug, or for a post-meal heaviness that feels like slow gastric emptying.
- What it is
- Motilium is a brand of domperidone, used as an anti-sickness medicine and prokinetic.
- What it treats
- Nausea, vomiting, bloating, early satiety, and symptoms linked to suspected slow stomach emptying.
It is supplied as blister-packed tablets or as an oral suspension, with Motilium and domperidone as the key identifiers on the pack.
How the effect is described
Patients often describe it as a medicine that “settles the stomach” rather than a general pain reliever or acid medicine.
That wording matters, because Motilium is mainly chosen for symptoms of sickness and gut movement, not for heartburn alone.
Key product identifiers on packs
Look for the INN domperidone, the strength 10 mg, and the product name Motilium on the pack.
What Motilium is and how it works
Domperidone explained simply
- Brand name
- Motilium is the brand name for domperidone.
- Medicine type
- It is an antiemetic and prokinetic used for functional gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Classification
- A03FA03: domperidone, within drugs for functional gastrointestinal disorders, as a propulsive agent.
The practical point is that domperidone is often preferred when a prescriber wants a gut-motility medicine with fewer central nervous system effects than some alternatives.
It does not easily cross the blood-brain barrier, which is one reason pharmacists may discuss it differently from metoclopramide.
Why it is classed as a prokinetic
- Prokinetic
- A medicine that helps the stomach and upper gut move contents forward more effectively.
- Antiemetic
- A medicine used to reduce nausea and vomiting.
- Pharmacy check
- Pharmacists ask about other medicines first because domperidone can interact with drugs that affect heart rhythm.
That is why Motilium is not usually treated like an everyday over-the-counter nausea tablet.
Legal status and availability in the UK
Motilium (domperidone) is a prescription-only medicine (POM) in the UK.
In our online pharmacy, Motilium is available without a prescription, with discreet delivery to the United Kingdom in 9–21 days.
Available forms and pack sizes
Tablets and oral suspension
| Form | Strength | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| Tablet | 10 mg | Standard adult use |
| Oral suspension | 1 mg/mL or 5 mg/5 mL | Common for children |
What the box and blister usually say
Packaging often includes blister packs, cartons of 10 or 100, the brand name Motilium, and the strength in milligrams.
For paediatric use, the oral suspension bottle and dosing device are the main clues that the pack is the correct formulation.
Who makes Motilium
Janssen Pharmaceutica is the originator manufacturer of Motilium. Domperidone tablets are also supplied by generic manufacturers such as Mylan and Teva.
When Motilium is used: symptoms and common patient scenarios
Nausea and vomiting
Motilium is most often asked for when nausea and vomiting are the main problem, especially after a viral stomach upset or travel-related sickness.
Adults and adolescents aged 12 and over are typically prescribed 10 mg up to three times daily.
Bloating, early satiety and gastroparesis
Some patients describe fullness after only a few mouthfuls, bloating, or the feeling that food “just sits there”.
That pattern can prompt consideration of gastroparesis treatment, again usually with 10 mg up to three times daily under medical guidance.
Off-label lactation use
Domperidone has sometimes been used off-label to boost lactation, but that is not a routine use and is not approved for children.
| Symptom or scenario | Typical user group | Pharmacy caution |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea or vomiting | Adults and adolescents 12+ | Check prescription, duration, and heart medicine history |
| Early satiety or bloating | Adults with suspected slow gastric emptying | Review for red-flag symptoms and interacting medicines |
| Paediatric stomach symptoms | Children under specialist advice | Follow the prescriber’s advice |
| Increased lactation | Off-label adult use | Requires prescriber-led discussion, not routine supply |
How to take Motilium safely
Timing with meals
- Take Motilium exactly as directed on the prescription or leaflet.
- Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time.
- Adults and adolescents 12+ usually take 10 mg up to three times daily.
- Children under 12 years or under 35 kg are not usually given domperidone; follow the prescriber’s advice.
- For nausea and vomiting, treatment is usually short-term, often up to 7 days.
- For gastroparesis, the treatment period should be kept as short as possible and reviewed at 4 weeks.
Missed dose rules
If a dose is missed, take it when remembered unless it is nearly time for the next one.
Do not double up to make up for a missed dose.
Overdose red flags
Warning: An overdose may cause arrhythmias and other cardiac symptoms, so urgent medical assessment is needed.
Hospital treatment may include ECG monitoring and symptomatic care.
Dosing adjustments for children, older adults and organ impairment
Children and special groups
| Group | Adjustment | Pharmacy advice |
|---|---|---|
| Children | Under 12 years or under 35 kg: not recommended; adolescents weighing 35 kg or more: 10 mg up to three times daily (maximum 30 mg/day) | Check exact weight; follow the prescriber’s advice |
| Older adults | Use the lowest effective dose | Cardiac risk is higher, so screening matters |
| Moderate to severe hepatic impairment | Contraindicated | Not suitable |
| Severe renal impairment | Caution or avoid | Needs prescriber review |
Older adults and cardiac risk
Older adults are screened carefully because serious cardiac events become more likely with age and with interacting drugs.
That is one reason pharmacists ask about age, liver disease, kidney disease, and current medicines before supply.
Liver and kidney impairment
Even mild or moderate impairment needs caution, and moderate to severe hepatic impairment is a clear barrier to use.
Who should not take Motilium
Absolute contraindications
- Allergy
- Do not take it if there is a known allergy to domperidone or any excipient.
- Prolactinoma
- Not suitable in patients with a pituitary tumour.
- Heart rhythm problems
- Prolonged QT interval or known cardiac arrhythmia are absolute barriers.
- Severe liver disease
- Severe hepatic impairment is a contraindication.
- Problem medicines
- QT-prolonging drugs and potent CYP3A4 inhibitors can make it unsafe.
When to seek medical advice
Warning: Mild or moderate liver or kidney impairment, age over 60, or medicines that affect electrolyte balance need careful review.
If symptoms are severe, persistent, or accompanied by dehydration, chest symptoms, fainting, or severe abdominal pain, a GP or urgent care review is more appropriate.
Side effects patients most often report
Common mild to moderate effects
| Type | Examples | What patients usually notice |
|---|---|---|
| Common | Headache, dry mouth, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea | Usually mild and self-limiting |
| Less common | Drowsiness, anxiety | May affect daily comfort or driving confidence |
| Hormonal effects | Raised prolactin, breast tenderness, gynaecomastia, galactorrhoea, menstrual irregularities | May need review if persistent |
| Urgent | Palpitations, fainting, severe reaction | Needs immediate medical assessment |
Motilium may have fewer central nervous system effects than some alternatives, but domperidone side effects still need respect.
Interactions and cardiac safety warnings
Why interaction checks matter
Interaction checks are essential because serious cardiac events become more likely with higher doses, older age, and interacting medicines.
That is especially important in the MHRA-regulated UK setting, where pharmacists are expected to screen carefully before supply.
QT prolongation risk
Domperidone can affect heart rhythm, so any medicine that prolongs the QT interval raises concern.
The same applies when other medicines create conditions that make rhythm problems more likely.
CYP3A4 inhibitors and other problem medicines
| Drug class | Why it matters | Pharmacy action |
|---|---|---|
| QT-prolonging medicines | Raises heart rhythm risk | Usually avoid together |
| Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors | Can increase domperidone exposure | Refer back to prescriber |
| Medicines affecting electrolytes | Can worsen rhythm risk | Screen carefully and assess context |
Warning: Bring a full medicine list to the consultation, including antibiotics, heart tablets, and any repeat prescriptions, because drug interactions are a major safety issue with domperidone tablets.
Motilium compared with common alternatives
Metoclopramide and domperidone
| Medicine | Main use | Key advantage | Main caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motilium (domperidone) | Nausea, vomiting, prokinetic use | Minimal central nervous system effects | Cardiac safety checks are essential |
| Metoclopramide | Central and peripheral prokinetic | Useful in similar gastrointestinal symptoms | More central nervous system considerations |
| Zofran | Anti-sickness medicine | Different mechanism as a 5-HT3 antagonist | Selected for different nausea scenarios |
The choice between Motilium and another anti-sickness medicine depends on the prescriber’s aim, the symptom pattern, and the interaction profile.
Storage and checking your pack
Temperature and moisture control
- Store below 25°C.
- Keep away from moisture and light.
- Check the leaflet for the shelf life, which is typically 2 to 3 years in factory-sealed blisters.
What to check when you receive your pack
- Correct medicine name and strength.
- Expiry date is in date.
- Blister or carton is intact.
- Patient leaflet is present.
- Packaging matches the prescribed form, whether tablets or domperidone oral suspension.
Delivery across the United Kingdom
| City | Region | Delivery time |
|---|---|---|
| London | England | 9–21 days |
| Birmingham | England | 9–21 days |
| Manchester | England | 9–21 days |
| Leeds | England | 9–21 days |
| Glasgow | Scotland | 9–21 days |
| Edinburgh | Scotland | 9–21 days |
| Liverpool | England | 9–21 days |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | England | 9–21 days |
| Sheffield | England | 9–21 days |
| Bristol | England | 9–21 days |
| Cardiff | Wales | 9–21 days |
| Belfast | Northern Ireland | 9–21 days |
| Aberdeen | Scotland | 9–21 days |
| Oxford | England | 9–21 days |
| Exeter | England | 9–21 days |
