A dopamine-blocking medicine for nausea and vomiting

Bromopride

An anti-sickness medicine that blocks dopamine to relieve nausea and vomiting and help the stomach empty.

What is Bromopride?

Bromopride is an anti-sickness (antiemetic) medicine, closely related to metoclopramide, that is used to relieve nausea and vomiting and to help the stomach empty. It works by blocking dopamine, a chemical messenger involved in triggering sickness. Because it acts on dopamine, it can cause movement-related (extrapyramidal) effects such as restlessness, muscle stiffness or unusual movements, as well as drowsiness, and it can raise the hormone prolactin. It is used for short periods at the lowest effective amount, and is not a standard UK-licensed medicine.

Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Bromopride — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.

Written by Meds Global Health Clinical Team · Clinically reviewed by Dr Muhammad Suffyan, MB BS, Founder & Clinical Director · Last reviewed · How we review
Class: Antiemetic (dopamine antagonist) → Brands: Generic
Bromopride (Antiemetic (dopamine antagonist)) — Meds Global Health reference card with 2D molecular structure
Bromopride — Antiemetic (dopamine antagonist). The image shows the active ingredient's 2D molecular structure.

What it is

Bromopride is an antiemetic, a medicine used to relieve nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting (being sick). It belongs to the same family as metoclopramide and works in a similar way. As well as easing sickness, it helps the stomach empty its contents, which can be useful when nausea is linked to slow stomach emptying. It is taken by mouth or, in some settings, given by injection. It is used in some countries but is not a standard licensed medicine in the UK, where similar medicines such as metoclopramide are used instead.

How it works

Bromopride blocks dopamine, a chemical messenger that helps trigger the vomiting reflex in a part of the brain. By blocking these dopamine signals, it reduces the sensation of nausea and the urge to vomit. It also acts on the gut to encourage the stomach to empty and food to move along, which can help when sickness is caused by sluggish digestion. Because dopamine is also involved in controlling movement, blocking it can sometimes cause movement-related side effects, which is why the medicine is used at the lowest helpful amount and for a short time.

Company & origin

Originated / developed by: Generic (long-established).

An anti-sickness medicine, related to metoclopramide, used in some countries to relieve nausea and vomiting; it is not a standard UK-licensed medicine.

Practical use

How to take Bromopride

General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.

  • Take it exactly as advised by your prescriber, usually for a short period rather than long term.
  • It is often taken before meals when used to help nausea linked to slow stomach emptying.
  • Be cautious about driving or using machinery until you know whether it makes you drowsy.
  • Tell your prescriber straight away about any unusual movements, stiffness or restlessness.
  • Limit alcohol, as it can add to the drowsiness this medicine may cause.

Weighing it up

Advantages & disadvantages of Bromopride

Advantages

  • Can relieve nausea and vomiting and help the stomach empty.
  • Available as tablets and, in some settings, as an injection.
  • A long-established medicine within the same family as metoclopramide.

Disadvantages

  • Can cause movement-related (extrapyramidal) effects such as stiffness or unusual movements.
  • Commonly causes drowsiness and can raise the hormone prolactin with longer use.
  • Not a standard UK-licensed medicine, so similar medicines are usually used in the UK instead.

Practical use

Good to know

The most important thing to understand about bromopride is that, like other dopamine-blocking anti-sickness medicines, it can cause movement-related (extrapyramidal) effects, such as restlessness, muscle stiffness, tremor or unusual movements of the face and body. These are more likely in younger people and at higher amounts, and any sudden or unusual movements should be reported promptly. It can also cause drowsiness, so it is sensible to see how it affects you before driving or using machinery, and to be careful with alcohol. Over time it can raise the hormone prolactin, which may cause breast tenderness, milk production or changes in periods. For these reasons it is used for short periods rather than long term. It is not a standard UK-licensed medicine, and in the UK similar medicines are used instead.

Who should not take it / use with caution

  • People who have had a serious allergic reaction to bromopride should not take it.
  • It should be avoided where the gut is blocked, perforated or bleeding, as encouraging movement could be harmful.
  • It is used with caution in people with Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders, as it can make them worse.
  • It is used with care in younger people, who are more prone to movement-related side effects.

Monitoring

  • Watching for movement-related effects, especially early in treatment and in younger people.
  • Reviewing whether the medicine is still needed, as it is intended for short-term use.
  • Checking for signs of raised prolactin, such as breast changes or changes in periods, with longer use.

Side effects

  • Drowsiness or tiredness.
  • Movement-related effects such as restlessness, stiffness, tremor or unusual movements of the face and body.
  • Raised prolactin, which can cause breast tenderness, milk production or changes in periods.
  • Rarely, a serious reaction with high fever and muscle stiffness (neuroleptic malignant syndrome), which needs urgent medical attention.

Key interactions

  • It can add to drowsiness from alcohol, strong painkillers, sleeping tablets and some other medicines.
  • It may interact with antipsychotics and other dopamine-blocking medicines, increasing the risk of movement-related effects.
  • It can change how quickly the stomach empties, which may affect how other medicines are absorbed.

Available as: Tablets and, in some settings, a solution for injection.

Answers

Bromopride: frequently asked questions

What is bromopride used for?

It is an anti-sickness medicine used to relieve nausea and vomiting and to help the stomach empty, working by blocking dopamine in the brain and gut.

Is it the same as metoclopramide?

It is not the same medicine, but it is closely related and belongs to the same family, working in a very similar way.

Can it cause unusual movements?

Yes. Like other dopamine-blocking anti-sickness medicines it can cause movement-related effects such as stiffness or unusual movements, which should be reported promptly.

Will it make me drowsy?

It can cause drowsiness, so it is sensible to see how it affects you before driving or using machinery and to be careful with alcohol.

Is it available in the UK?

Bromopride is not a standard UK-licensed medicine; in the UK similar medicines such as metoclopramide are usually used instead.

The wider class

About Antiemetic (dopamine antagonist)

Bromopride belongs to the antiemetic (dopamine antagonist) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.

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Authoritative sources

  • BNF
  • NICE CKS

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