Motilium alternatives: safer nausea and gut-motility options

If Motilium (domperidone) isn't right for you—maybe it's not available, or you and your doctor worry about heart risk—you still have options. Below are clear, practical alternatives for nausea, vomiting, and slow stomach emptying, what they do, and simple safety tips so you can pick the best path with your clinician.

Drug alternatives: what they help with and risks

Metoclopramide (Reglan) speeds stomach emptying and treats nausea. It’s widely used but can cause movement side effects (tremors, muscle stiffness) if used long term. Doctors usually prescribe it short-term or at low doses, and it’s not ideal for people with Parkinson’s disease.

Ondansetron (Zofran) works well for sudden nausea—like after surgery or chemotherapy. It’s an antiemetic, not a prokinetic, so it eases nausea but won’t fix slow digestion. Ondansetron can affect the heart’s electrical rhythm in some people, so your doctor will consider your heart history and other meds.

Prochlorperazine and promethazine are older anti-nausea drugs that also treat vertigo and motion sickness. They can make you drowsy and aren’t great if you need to drive or operate machinery. Like metoclopramide, some have movement-related side effects with long use.

Erythromycin, an antibiotic, has a prokinetic effect at low doses and is sometimes used short-term for gastroparesis. Because it’s an antibiotic, long-term use can cause resistance and interact with other medications. Heart rhythm checks may be needed for some people.

Non-drug options and safety tips

Herbal and dietary approaches can help mild symptoms. Ginger (tea, capsules, candied) often reduces nausea. Peppermint oil or small, frequent low-fat meals can ease fullness and bloating. Elevating your head after meals and avoiding heavy, fatty foods helps stomach emptying for many people.

Before switching or trying alternatives, tell your clinician about: current prescriptions, heart problems, Parkinson’s disease, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and any allergies. Some of these meds need a prescription; others are OTC. Your doctor or pharmacist will check drug interactions and recommend monitoring if needed.

If your symptoms include severe weight loss, repeated vomiting, bloody vomit, fainting, or chest pain, seek medical care quickly. For ongoing nausea or suspected gastroparesis, ask for a referral to a gastroenterologist—testing and tailored treatment often work better than trial-and-error.

Want help choosing? Write down when your symptoms happen, what makes them worse, and any meds or supplements you take. Bring that list to your appointment. A short conversation with a clinician can save weeks of guesswork and get you the right medication or lifestyle plan fast.