Domperidone and sudden death.
(1) Domperidone, a "hidden" neuroleptic, is widely used as an oral antiemetic yet its efficacy has not been adequately documented. (2) In a case-control study domperidone was associated with an estimated relative risk of sudden cardiac death of 3.8 (95% confidence interval 1.5-9.7). (3) QT interval prolongation has been reported in an infant on domperidone, with normalisation after domperidone withdrawal. Serious cardiac arrhythmias led to the market withdrawal of the intravenous form of domperidone in the 1980s. (4) In practice, these data represent an additional reason not to use domperidone, or other antiemetics, for mild and transient health problems. Special care is required when other risk factors for QT interval prolongation are present.
D000328:Adult; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001938:Brazil; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology*; D004294:Domperidone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017277:Drug Approval; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced*; D009426:Netherlands
D000932:Antiemetics; D004294:Domperidone