Sulpiride improves functional dyspepsia: A double-blind controlled study

A 4-week placebo-controlled trial was performed to study the efficacy of sulpiride, a hypothalamic non-sedative neuroleptic and dopamine antagonist, in the treatment of 100 patients with functional dyspepsia, defined as dyspeptic symptoms despite normal endoscopy and cholecystography. Two patients on sulpiride were withdrawn because of sleepiness; no other undue side effects were recorded. At the end of 4 weeks, significantly (P < 0.02) more patients on sulpiride had improvement of nausea and belching (78%, 54% respectively) than patients on placebo (45%, 17% respectively). Pain and vomiting disappeared in approximately 50% and 70% of patients, respectively. In the overall assessment, 72% and 39% of the patients on sulpiride and placebo respectively had satisfactory improvement or became symptom-free (P < 0.001). Response to treatment was not related to personal and environmental factors. It was concluded that sulpiride was effective in improving symptoms of dyspepsia, particularly nausea and belching.