ABU DHABI // The Ministry of Health has issued circular no 70 for this year, restricting the use of suppositories containing Domperidone.
Motilium 10mg and 60mg suppositories produced by Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V. in Belgium and Motinil 10mg and 60mg suppositories produced by the Kuwait Saudi Pharmaceutical Co. (KSPICO), which are both registered with the ministry, will be called back.
The European Medicines Agency said the drugs may increase risks of sudden cardiac arrest and that of developing heart diseases including prolongation of the QT interval (an alteration of the electrical activity of the heart) and arrhythmias (unstable heartbeats) in patients over 60 years old and patients who ingest over 30mg daily or those on long-term domperidone-based treatment.
Domperidone will no longer be used to treat conditions such as heartburn and bloating, though it may be used for the management of the symptoms of nausea and vomiting at a reduced dosage. The medicine should not be used for longer than one week.
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