Domperidone vs. Primperan

Attribute	Domperidone	Primperan
Brand Name	Domperidone	Primperan
Generic Name	Domperidone	Metoclopramide
Uses	Treatment of nausea and vomiting	Treatment of gastrointestinal disorders
Side Effects	Headache, dizziness, dry mouth	Drowsiness, restlessness, diarrhea
Mode of Action	Dopamine receptor antagonist	Dopamine receptor antagonist

Introduction

Domperidone and Primperan are both medications used to treat gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and vomiting. While they belong to the same class of drugs, they have some key differences in terms of their attributes and effectiveness. In this article, we will compare the two medications in terms of their mechanism of action, side effects, dosage, and availability.

Mechanism of Action

Domperidone works by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain and gut, which helps to increase the movement of food through the digestive system. This action helps to reduce nausea and vomiting. On the other hand, Primperan works by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, which also helps to reduce nausea and vomiting. However, Primperan has additional effects on the gut, such as increasing the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter and enhancing gastric emptying.

Side Effects

Both Domperidone and Primperan can cause side effects such as dizziness, headache, and dry mouth. However, Domperidone is more likely to cause cardiac side effects such as QT prolongation and arrhythmias compared to Primperan. On the other hand, Primperan is more likely to cause extrapyramidal side effects such as tremors and muscle stiffness compared to Domperidone.

Dosage

The recommended dosage of Domperidone is 10 mg taken three to four times a day, with a maximum daily dose of 30 mg. On the other hand, the recommended dosage of Primperan is 10 mg taken three to four times a day, with a maximum daily dose of 40 mg. It is important to follow the prescribed dosage and not exceed the maximum daily dose to avoid potential side effects.

Availability

Domperidone is available in many countries as an over-the-counter medication, making it easily accessible for patients. However, in some countries, Domperidone is only available with a prescription due to concerns about its cardiac side effects. On the other hand, Primperan is also available in many countries as an over-the-counter medication, but it is more commonly prescribed by healthcare providers due to its potential for extrapyramidal side effects.