Background: Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux are widely prevalent. There is a continuum between subjects with mild reflux symptoms and those severely affected by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Both groups may at times access over-the-counter (OTC) therapies. For the purpose of this review, relevant papers, including national and international guidelines were reviewed and recommendations made for appropriate use of OTC proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. Results: PPIs are the gold standard for treatment of reflux symptoms. OTC therapy with histamine₂ receptor antagonists (H2RAs) also plays a role. For the majority affected by reflux symptoms, effective symptom control is the most important outcome, as only a subgroup requires investigations or interventions. However, patients with alarm features (i.e. troublesome dysphagia, weight loss, predominant upper abdominal pain) are not recommended for OTC therapy and need prompt medical referral. Frequent relapses or failure to adequately respond to OTC therapy are additional triggers for medical assessment. Conclusions: OTC treatment of typical reflux symptoms (acid regurgitation, heartburn) with antacids and H2RAs is now accepted as safe and results in short-term relief of symptoms. There is no evidence of additional risk with OTC PPIs compared to these existing OTC therapies and PPIs are significantly more efficacious.

SUMMARY BackgroundPrevious data collected in separate studies using various different survey instruments have suggested some variability in the prevalence of symptoms between nations. However, there is a lack of studies which assess and compare the prevalence of upper gastrointestinal symptoms contemporaneously in various countries using a uniform, standardised method.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders including functional dyspepsia are highly prevalent. Their clinical course is benign without disease-associated mortality. On the other hand, the impact can be substantial for the affected patients with regard to the decrease of quality of life, and for society with regard to the economical implications. Functional dyspepsia is a clinical syndrome with various underlying pathophysiologies. Thus, it is understandable that there is no single cure available. Reassurance by ruling out relevant differential diagnoses, explanation, and general advice with regard to the underlying causes and dietary and life-style measures are important components of the management of these patients. Well established medical treatments include Helicobacter pylori eradication, acid inhibitory agents and prokinetics. The overall gain over placebo ranges from less than 5% for H. pylori eradication to 15% for antisecretory agents and prokinetics. Thus, even considering a substantial proportion of patients with spontaneous remissions (usually addressed as placebo response in clinical trials), there are 20 to 40% of patients who do not respond properly to these measures. In these patients, other treatment modalities need to be considered. These second- or third-line measures include herbal medicines and psychotropic agents. Some of the herbal preparations have been well studied in controlled clinical trials with sufficient scientific evidence to assume efficacy. Psychotropic drugs on the other hand have, as yet, not been specifically tested in functional dyspepsia. Medications such as clonidine, buspirone or octreotide can be helpful in few selected patients. However, a very careful assessment of potential risks and benefits needs to be undertaken on a case-by-case basis. Other evidence-based measures include psychological interventions such as psychotherapy and hypnotherapy.