Women’s experiences with using domperidone as a galactagogue to increase breast milk supply: an Australian cross-sectional survey
Abstract Background Domperidone is one of the most commonly utilised pharmacological galactagogues, with evidence of increasing use in clinical practice. However, the use of domperidone as a galactagogue remains controversial, with mixed evidence on safety and efficacy, leading to variable clinical...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-02-01
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| Series: | International Breastfeeding Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-023-00541-9 |
| _version_ | 1797863403680694272 |
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| author | Grace M. McBride Robyn Stevenson Gabbie Zizzo Alice R. Rumbold Lisa H. Amir Amy Keir Luke E. Grzeskowiak |
| author_facet | Grace M. McBride Robyn Stevenson Gabbie Zizzo Alice R. Rumbold Lisa H. Amir Amy Keir Luke E. Grzeskowiak |
| author_sort | Grace M. McBride |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Domperidone is one of the most commonly utilised pharmacological galactagogues, with evidence of increasing use in clinical practice. However, the use of domperidone as a galactagogue remains controversial, with mixed evidence on safety and efficacy, leading to variable clinical practice recommendations. We sought to evaluate contemporary patterns of domperidone use and examine maternal experiences related to perceived safety and effectiveness. Methods In 2019, we conducted an online, cross-sectional survey of Australian breastfeeding women to examine individual experiences related to domperidone use, in addition to perceptions of safety and effectiveness. Results Among 1876 survey responses, 19% (n = 355) reported using domperidone. Domperidone use was significantly higher in women who were primiparous, gave birth preterm, delivered by caesarean section, had self-perceived low milk supply, and saw a lactation consultant. Nearly 20% of women commenced domperidone use in the first week postpartum (19%, n = 67). The median duration of use was six weeks (interquartile range 3–16 weeks). Maximum reported doses of domperidone used ranged from 20 mg/day to 160 mg/day. Half (n = 178, 50%) of women reported using a dose of 30 mg/day or less, 44% (n = 155) reported using a dose between 31 and 60 mg/day, and 6% (n = 22) reported using a dose greater than 61 mg/day. Nearly half of the respondents reported domperidone as ‘very’ or ‘extremely effective’ (45%, n = 161), with only 8% (n = 27) reporting it was ‘not at all effective’. Almost half (n = 172, 48%) of all women using domperidone reported side effects, including weight gain (25%), headaches (17%) and dry mouth (13%). Higher doses were associated with an increased likelihood of any side effects (≤ 30 mg/day, 38%; >31-≤60 mg/day, 48%, > 61 mg/day 73%; P < 0.004), with 31 (9%) stopping domperidone because of side effects. Conclusion We identified widespread variation in domperidone utilisation patterns, with domperidone broadly perceived to be effective in increasing breast milk supply. Side effects associated with domperidone treatment were common, appeared to be dose-related, and were frequently associated with treatment cessation. These findings highlight the importance of improved clinical practice recommendations and generation of evidence from additional high-quality clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of domperidone. More conclusive clinical trials are needed to determine the efficacy, as well as optimal dose and duration, of domperidone use. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T22:36:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-747fd3cad913444daca574c168fe7f9c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1746-4358 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T22:36:02Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Breastfeeding Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-747fd3cad913444daca574c168fe7f9c2023-03-22T12:29:25ZengBMCInternational Breastfeeding Journal1746-43582023-02-011811910.1186/s13006-023-00541-9Women’s experiences with using domperidone as a galactagogue to increase breast milk supply: an Australian cross-sectional surveyGrace M. McBride0Robyn Stevenson1Gabbie Zizzo2Alice R. Rumbold3Lisa H. Amir4Amy Keir5Luke E. Grzeskowiak6Adelaide Medical School, Robinson Research Institute, University of AdelaideAdelaide Medical School, Robinson Research Institute, University of AdelaideAdelaide Medical School, Robinson Research Institute, University of AdelaideAdelaide Medical School, Robinson Research Institute, University of AdelaideJudith Lumley Centre, La Trobe UniversityAdelaide Medical School, Robinson Research Institute, University of AdelaideAdelaide Medical School, Robinson Research Institute, University of AdelaideAbstract Background Domperidone is one of the most commonly utilised pharmacological galactagogues, with evidence of increasing use in clinical practice. However, the use of domperidone as a galactagogue remains controversial, with mixed evidence on safety and efficacy, leading to variable clinical practice recommendations. We sought to evaluate contemporary patterns of domperidone use and examine maternal experiences related to perceived safety and effectiveness. Methods In 2019, we conducted an online, cross-sectional survey of Australian breastfeeding women to examine individual experiences related to domperidone use, in addition to perceptions of safety and effectiveness. Results Among 1876 survey responses, 19% (n = 355) reported using domperidone. Domperidone use was significantly higher in women who were primiparous, gave birth preterm, delivered by caesarean section, had self-perceived low milk supply, and saw a lactation consultant. Nearly 20% of women commenced domperidone use in the first week postpartum (19%, n = 67). The median duration of use was six weeks (interquartile range 3–16 weeks). Maximum reported doses of domperidone used ranged from 20 mg/day to 160 mg/day. Half (n = 178, 50%) of women reported using a dose of 30 mg/day or less, 44% (n = 155) reported using a dose between 31 and 60 mg/day, and 6% (n = 22) reported using a dose greater than 61 mg/day. Nearly half of the respondents reported domperidone as ‘very’ or ‘extremely effective’ (45%, n = 161), with only 8% (n = 27) reporting it was ‘not at all effective’. Almost half (n = 172, 48%) of all women using domperidone reported side effects, including weight gain (25%), headaches (17%) and dry mouth (13%). Higher doses were associated with an increased likelihood of any side effects (≤ 30 mg/day, 38%; >31-≤60 mg/day, 48%, > 61 mg/day 73%; P < 0.004), with 31 (9%) stopping domperidone because of side effects. Conclusion We identified widespread variation in domperidone utilisation patterns, with domperidone broadly perceived to be effective in increasing breast milk supply. Side effects associated with domperidone treatment were common, appeared to be dose-related, and were frequently associated with treatment cessation. These findings highlight the importance of improved clinical practice recommendations and generation of evidence from additional high-quality clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of domperidone. More conclusive clinical trials are needed to determine the efficacy, as well as optimal dose and duration, of domperidone use.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-023-00541-9DomperidoneBreastfeedingCross-sectional studiesGalactagoguesHuman milkLactation |
| spellingShingle | Grace M. McBride Robyn Stevenson Gabbie Zizzo Alice R. Rumbold Lisa H. Amir Amy Keir Luke E. Grzeskowiak Women’s experiences with using domperidone as a galactagogue to increase breast milk supply: an Australian cross-sectional survey International Breastfeeding Journal Domperidone Breastfeeding Cross-sectional studies Galactagogues Human milk Lactation |
| title | Women’s experiences with using domperidone as a galactagogue to increase breast milk supply: an Australian cross-sectional survey |
| title_full | Women’s experiences with using domperidone as a galactagogue to increase breast milk supply: an Australian cross-sectional survey |
| title_fullStr | Women’s experiences with using domperidone as a galactagogue to increase breast milk supply: an Australian cross-sectional survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Women’s experiences with using domperidone as a galactagogue to increase breast milk supply: an Australian cross-sectional survey |
| title_short | Women’s experiences with using domperidone as a galactagogue to increase breast milk supply: an Australian cross-sectional survey |
| title_sort | women s experiences with using domperidone as a galactagogue to increase breast milk supply an australian cross sectional survey |
| topic | Domperidone Breastfeeding Cross-sectional studies Galactagogues Human milk Lactation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-023-00541-9 |
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