Treatment for Gastroparesis
Medications
Some medications can help treat gastroparesis. Your healthcare provider might try combinations of drugs or different options to find the most effective option. These include:
– Metoclopramide: This medication stimulates contractions in your stomach muscles, which helps empty food. Also, it may help alleviate vomiting and nausea. You need to take the drug around 20 minutes before each meal and at bedtime. Possible side effects include movement issues, anxiety, depression, sleepiness, and fatigue.
– Domperidone: This is a promotility agent that works like metoclopramide. It can help with nausea as well.
– Erythromycin: This is an antibiotic that can help with the emptying of the stomach. It works by improving the contractions to move food in the stomach. Possible side effects include abdominal cramps, vomiting, and nausea.
– Other medications: Antibiotics can clear up bacterial infections. An endoscope can dissolve a bezoar. An antiemetic can alleviate vomiting and nausea. [6]
