Short answer · Medically reviewed summary · Last updated: 2026-04-07
The best treatments for Gastroparesis focus on a combination of dietary modifications, prokinetic medications, and addressing underlying nutritional deficiencies under the guidance of a specialized care team. First-Line and Pharmacological Management Management of Gastroparesis begins with dietary therapy, emphasizing small, frequent meals low in fat and fiber to prevent gastric outlet obstruction and delayed emptying. When diet alone is insufficient, clinicians often prescribe prokinetic agents to stimulate stomach motility.
8 people with Gastroparesis have shared their first-person experience on this question at DiseaseMaps.
What are the best treatments for Gastroparesis?
Treatments for Gastroparesis: what real patients say works for them, alongside a medically reviewed overview citing sources like NIH GARD and Orphanet.
The best treatments for Gastroparesis focus on a combination of dietary modifications, prokinetic medications, and addressing underlying nutritional deficiencies under the guidance of a specialized care team.
First-Line and Pharmacological Management
Management of Gastroparesis begins with dietary therapy, emphasizing small, frequent meals low in fat and fiber to prevent gastric outlet obstruction and delayed emptying. When diet alone is insufficient, clinicians often prescribe prokinetic agents to stimulate stomach motility. Commonly used medications include metoclopramide (Reglan) and erythromycin, which help increase stomach contractions. For patients experiencing severe nausea and vomiting, antiemetics such as ondansetron (Zofran) may be added to the regimen.
Non-Pharmacological and Surgical Interventions
When medication fails to manage symptoms, procedural options may be considered. Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) is sometimes used to help manage refractory symptoms. In more severe cases of Gastroparesis, clinicians may evaluate patients for a gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM), a minimally invasive procedure aimed at improving emptying. If a patient cannot maintain adequate nutrition orally, enteral nutrition via a jejunostomy tube may be necessary to bypass the stomach.
Clinical Research and Multidisciplinary Care
Emerging treatments for Gastroparesis, such as novel ghrelin agonists, are currently being investigated in clinical trials to improve gastric motor function. Because the severity and etiology of Gastroparesis vary significantly—ranging from idiopathic to diabetic or post-surgical causes—treatment must be highly personalized. An effective care team should include a gastroenterologist, a registered dietitian specializing in GI disorders, and, depending on the cause, an endocrinologist or a surgeon.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your physician to develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific clinical needs, as dosages and therapeutic strategies vary significantly between patients.
References
- NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD): Gastroparesis
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
- International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD)
Posted Jul 30, 2018 by Association of Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders, Inc. | AGMD |
Posted Mar 15, 2017 by Raspy 1000
Posted Mar 15, 2017 by Lakin 450
Posted Jun 4, 2017 by Richelle 1750
Posted Oct 25, 2017 by Mahala 1000
The treatments we have are risky and often times do not work 100 percent. There is no cure. You can go into remission but there is no certain cure for Gastroparesis, not yet anyway. Some people have great results from treatment options and others do not.
Treatment options can include but may not be limited to
-Nausea medication such as reglan/Metoclopramide or Ondansetron/zofran. Reglan is commonly used and can be effective however many people experience body contractions and other effects that cause them to be taken off the medication with good reason.
-Domperidone is also prescribed. However it is not FDA approved and can be difficult to get with the possibility of it being confiscated during shipment or travel in the U.S. If you have questions on why I will answer those individually as it's a complex matter or you can research Domperidone regulations in the U.S.A You will need an EKG at the least prior to being prescribed domperidone.
-Gastric Stimulators are a surgical option to attempt to give relief. It is similar to a heart pace maker but they attach it to your stomach and implant it into the abdomen. It sends currents that shock your stomach to the attempt to make it contract. Results are also mixed on how well it helps which symptoms.
-Feeding tubes
For gastroparesis you are likely to get one of two tubes if you need tubes. One is the NJ tube which goes down your nose and esophagus past your stomach into the intestines. You insert it and remove it through the nose. You may get a NG tube that you can also insert to train the stomach contents.
The other likely tube option is a GJ tube. This is a surgical procedure to implant. The tube penetrates the abdomen and stomach lining. One of the tubes (G) is left in the stomach to drain and the other tube (J) is threaded into the intestinal area to give feeding while bypassing the stomach. This is one device but has both tubes incorporated and surgically implanted into the stomach. Your port will be on the outside of the abdomen for access instead of outside the nose.
-Removal of the stomach is NOT a method for treatment in most cases because the new stomach will generally stop working as well, just like the first one.
Posted May 30, 2018 by Sabrina 1500
Posted Jun 7, 2018 by nbrophy 400
Medications for nausea and vomiting
Treatment to minimize causes or triggers
6-8 small meals low fat and fiber
Pain management to include meds and injections
Gastric stimulator
Posted Nov 16, 2018 by Tina 1000
