Domperidone to promote lactation
Van Paassen, N.; van der Starre, A.M.; Hanff, L.M.; Yap, S.C.; Roorda Wierenga, T.; Vermeulen, M.J.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 160: D305
2016
ISSN/ISBN: 1876-8784 PMID: 27827287 Document Number: 690977
- Breast milk is the best diet for all newborns, especially premature newborns.- In case of insufficient production of breast milk, feeding and extraction techniques should be optimized first, preferably supported by a lactation consultant. When supportive measures fail, domperidone to promote milk production can be considered.- The risk of side effects in newborns is negligible. The risk of maternal arrhythmias associated with QTc prolongation is low as long as domperidone is prescribed in low doses (10 mg tds).- In the absence of risk factors it is not necessary to routinely perform an ECG and, therefore, general practitioners can safely prescribe domperidone.- The effect of the treatment should be evaluated after 2 weeks. In case of prolonged treatment or use of higher dosages, it is recommended to perform an ECG to exclude QTc prolongation.