Evaluation of the effect of domperidone on human oesophageal and gastroduodenal motility by intraluminal manometry.

Intraluminal manometry has been used in a series of five studies on healthy volunteers and patients, to examine the action of domperidone on lower oesophageal sphincter pressure (LOSP), on peristaltic contraction, amplitudes and on antral, pyloric and duodenal motility. Furthermore, the effect on gastric acid secretion, pH, secretory volume and serum gastrin levels was studied. It was found that domperidone increased LOSP significantly but was less effective in patients with symptomatic gastro-oesophageal reflux than in normal volunteers. The drug also increased the amplitude of oesophageal and duodenal peristalsis but had no effect on endogenous gastrin release or on gastric acid secretion. The results suggest that this drug may be useful in the treatment of gastro-oesophageal and gastroduodenal reflux. This potential benefit is enhanced by the absence of side effects even when given in high doses.