here is one link to some info on domperidone.
http://www.asklenore.info/breastfeeding/induced_lactation/domperidone_general.html

Do you know where I can find the sources that the FDA information is based on?? My doctor is telling me it's illegal for him to write a prescription for me.

Katie's Mom

There are cardiac side effects with the medication that is why the FDA has banned it from the USA. I now need info on another protocol.

Make sure you are looking at the usage that produced those side effects. Was it IV usage? What was the dosage? Do you have a link to that info?
thanks, L
If you look at the link again you will see it is actually not banned by the FDA for personal use in the US.

http://www.asklenore.info/breastfeeding/induced_lactation/domperidone_general.html This will give you more info on this as well. Click on the breastfeeding link at the top of this page and then scroll down to find all the info on Domperidone.

The cardiac effects have never been proven. In fact the FDA talk paper that was picked up by the press did not have input from anyone in the lactation community. A few months after it made all the news, the FDA quietly put up this information on their website: how to obtain domperidone for gastric patients: http://www.fda.gov/cder/news/domperidone.htm It seems they do not have any fears about cardiac issues for these folks. And recently a ruling in Texas give compounding pharmacies in the US the ability to produce non-FDA approved medications with a doctor's prescription: http://www.aapsonline.org/nod/newsofday294.php
This is a good route to go but it can be VERY expensive to purchase domperidone from a compounding pharmacy, but once you have your prescription, you have the right to purchase your domperidone anywhere you choose which is why most mothers purchase from www.globaldrug.tv which obtains the dom from the actual pharmaceutical company that produces it. Many mothers who are unable to obtain the prescription, get the dom from global and then inform their doctors and ask to be monitored.

Esther

The issue concerning domperidone in the US is unfortunate. It is important for those of us who have used or are currently using domperidone in order to breastfeed our babies, to visit this website and complete the survey. The research is being conducted by Dr. Hope McGonigle : http://hopeandmegan.com/survey/index.html

This survey takes only a few minutes to complete. Your voice is important. You can make a difference.

Best,

"Many mothers who are unable to obtain the prescription, get the dom from global and then inform their doctors and ask to be monitored."

Can a doctor get in trouble for agreeing to monitor me? And does the "personal use" clause on the FDA thing include me using it to promote lactation for myself? I see Lenore saying it (http://www.asklenore.info/breastfeeding/induced_lactation/domperidone_general.html ) Where do I find the government saying it, so I can show my doctor?

Personally, I find this whole thing to be ridiculous. All I want to do is nurse my baby and use a drug proven to be effective with little side effects....why is this WRONG? There has to be some other agenda going on here other than protecting me as a consumer... I am so FRUSTRATED.

Katie's Mom

Hi Katie's Mom,

Take a look at the ruling in Texas that Esther provided. It give doctors and pharmacists an avenue for providing non-FDA approved medications. To be sure about all of this, kindly discuss the above with an attorney.

Best,

I am currently talking with an attorney who volunteers with Le Leche League... Part of the problem I'm having is finding a physican who WILL write the prescription - not sure if they've seen this ruling or not. I wish this route wasn't so expensive! The attorney is checking to see how "on board' a doctor has to be to keep me legitimate - in other words, if I ordered from a company not requiring the prescription.

katiesmom how about a pediatrician or another doc sympathetic and willing to work with you?

I've tried the nurse practitioner in my pediatrician's office, as she is also a lactation consultant. No dice. But again, I'm not sure if she has the latest info.

This coming week I have appointments with both my ob (to follow up my c-section) and with my pediatrician, whom I haven't met yet. I have had a good relationship with my ob to this point. He has been a wonderful doctor, and I've been his patient for about 8 years. That's why I went with him initially - he knows me best.

I will probably try to approach both doctors this week - and possibly our family physician (whom I've only seen once - I'm never sick) if need be. My daughter's pediatrician is actually from Egypt, so I'm hoping she will be a little more open minded. I think the others are afraid of getting in trouble - and I have no desire to get them in trouble. I just want to do all I can to breastfeed Katie.

BTW, I ordered the Lact-Aid today. I think it will be easier to use than Medela SFS, and I'm interested in anything that might make this venture more successful.

Thanks for you encouragement,

FYI www.globaldrug.tv does not require a prescription because they are based in a country that sells domperidone over the counter. Most moms purchase from them. If your doc won't write the script you can still obtain the dom. BUT it is very important that you inform your doctor so that you can be monitored. You'll be spreading a little knowledge at the same time....

Right, Esther, I appreciate and understand that. I would like to order it from them. The question is - is it legal for me to do that? I'm working on finding that out this week... Maybe it isn't a black and white issue. Then I still want to find a doctor comfortable with the knowledge that I'm taking it - even if he's not providing me with the prescription.