Effect of domperidone on lower esophageal sphincter tone in late pregnancy.

Increasing the resting lower esophageal sphincter (LES) tone is a useful method of preventing gastroesophageal reflux. The effects of a new antiemetic, domperidone, on LES were studied in 28 subjects. Group I included eight normal nonpregnant control subjects. The remaining 20 pregnant women were divided into two groups, Group II and III--ten parturients without and ten with symptoms of heartburn. Domperidone increased LES pressure by 19, 11 and 10 cm H2O in Groups I, II and III, respectively (P less than 0.05). Domperidone may be a valuable premedicant in some patients to decrease the chance of gastro-esophageal reflux.