Motilium alternatives: safer choices for nausea and slow stomach emptying

Motilium (domperidone) helps with nausea and slow stomach emptying, but it isn’t right for everyone. If you want other options, this quick guide covers prescription drugs, over‑the‑counter fixes, and practical diet and lifestyle moves that often work.

Prescription options

Metoclopramide is a common substitute. It helps stomach emptying and eases nausea, but doctors usually limit how long you take it because long use can cause movement problems (tardive dyskinesia). Erythromycin at low doses can speed gastric emptying too, though it tends to lose effectiveness and can interact with other drugs.

For pure nausea control, ondansetron, prochlorperazine or promethazine work well even if they don’t help digestion. Keep in mind some of these can affect heart rhythm or cause drowsiness. For persistent gastroparesis, specialists may suggest gastric pacing, botulinum injections, or referral to a gastroenterologist for a tailored plan.

Non‑prescription and lifestyle options

Ginger is one of the best OTC choices for mild to moderate nausea. Try ginger tea, lozenges, or a standard ginger supplement after meals. Peppermint oil and P6 (inner wrist) acupressure are low‑risk options that help many people, especially for motion sickness or pregnancy‑related nausea.

Simple diet changes often make a big difference: eat smaller, more frequent meals; choose low‑fat, low‑fiber soft foods when symptoms flare; avoid large fatty meals and carbonated drinks. Sit upright for 30–60 minutes after eating and sip clear fluids to avoid dehydration. If you have diabetes, keeping blood sugar stable helps reduce gastroparesis symptoms.

How do you pick the right option? Start by identifying the cause: medication side effects, migraine, pregnancy, infection, or true delayed gastric emptying. Short‑term nausea usually responds to OTC remedies and diet tweaks. Chronic or severe symptoms need testing like a gastric emptying study and a medical plan.

Safety notes: domperidone has been linked to heart rhythm issues in some people, especially with other QT‑prolonging drugs or heart disease. Metoclopramide can cause movement disorders with long use. Always check interactions and tell your clinician about heart problems or other medicines you take.

If you’re losing weight, can’t keep liquids down, or symptoms don’t improve in a few weeks, see a doctor. A clinician can pick the safest medication for your situation, review possible interactions, and discuss procedures if needed. Often, small changes—diet, ginger, meal timing—are the easiest and most helpful first steps.