[Proarrhythmic effects of domperidone in infants: a systematic review]

Farm Hosp. 2014 Sep 16;38(5):438-44. doi: 10.7399/fh.2014.38.5.7957.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Aims: To assess the association of the use of domperidone in infants with QTc interval prolongation and proarrhythmic events.

Methods: A systematic search of the scientific literature was conducted without any date or language restriction. The electronic database MEDLINE and the sources LILACS, ScIELO and Cochrane library were consulted.

Results: From the twelve identified studies, eight were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. One case report and three pilot studies were selected. Rocha et al (2005) reported the case of an infant (age 3 months) with QTc interval = 463 ms after being treated during one month with 1.8 mg/kg/day of oral domperidone. Djeddi et al (2008) administered an average dose of 1.3 mg/kg/day to 31 neonates; QTc interval prolongation > 30 ms was observed in nine neonates. Hegar et al (2009) studied 10 infants (mean age 5.6 months) who received 0.8 mg/ kg/day of oral domperidone; QTc interval prolongation was not observed. Günlemez et al (2010) enrolled 40 premature infants who were administered 1 mg/kg/day of oral domperidone; the QTc interval increased to above 450 ms in two infants.

Conclusions: Although evidence that orally administrated domperidone in infants produces prolongation of QTc interval was found, further studies are needed in order to quantify the risk associated with the drug in that population. We suggest that heath professionals should conduct ECGs to infants treated with domperidone and inform the pharmacovigilance system the occurrence of any case of adverse event.

Objetivo: Determinar si existe evidencia de prolongación del intervalo QTc y efectos proarrítmicos asociados al uso de domperidona oral en infantes.

Método: Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura científica consultando la base de datos electrónica MEDLINE y las fuentes LILACS, ScIELO y Biblioteca Cochrane a través de la Biblioteca Virtual de Salud, sin límite de fecha ni de idioma.

Resultados: De los estudios identificados se excluyeron ocho por no cumplir con los criterios de inclusión, quedando seleccionados un reporte de caso y tres estudios pilotos. Rocha et al (2005) reportan el caso de un niño de 3 meses con intervalo QTc=463 mseg tras un mes de tratamiento con 1,8 mg/kg/día de domperidona oral. Djeddi et al (2008) administraron una dosis promedio de 1,3 mg/kg/día a 31 neonatos, observando prolongación del intervalo QTc>30 mseg en nueve. Hegar et al (2009) estudiaron a 10 niños con edad media de 5,6 meses tratados con 0,8 mg/kg/día y no observaron prolongación del intervalo QTc. Gunlemez et al (2010) incluyeron en su estudio a 40 infantes prematuros a quienes administraron 1 mg/kg/día de domperidona oral, en dos de ellos el intervalo QTc aumentó por encima de 450 mseg.

Conclusiones: Aunque se encontró evidencia de prolongación del intervalo QTc en infantes tratados con domperidona oral, se necesitan más estudios para cuantificar el riesgo asociado a la droga en esta población. Se sugiere a los profesionales de la salud realizar un monitoreo electrocardiográfico de los infantes tratados con domperidona e informar al sistema de farmacovigilancia los casos de ocurrencia de eventos adversos.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / chemically induced*
  • Atrial Fibrillation / chemically induced
  • Cisapride / pharmacology
  • Cisapride / therapeutic use
  • Contraindications
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A / physiology
  • Domperidone / adverse effects*
  • Domperidone / pharmacokinetics
  • Domperidone / therapeutic use
  • Dopamine Antagonists / adverse effects*
  • Dopamine Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Drug Interactions
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / chemically induced
  • Long QT Syndrome / chemically induced
  • Pilot Projects
  • Prospective Studies

Substances

  • Dopamine Antagonists
  • Domperidone
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A
  • CYP3A4 protein, human
  • Cisapride