This study aims to determine the efficacy and optimal dose of the prokinetic itopride for the treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia.

The study will test in patients with functional dyspepsia the hypothesis that itopride is superior to placebo with regard to the improvement of symptoms.

Treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia remains unsatisfactory. We will assess the efficacy of Itopride, a D2 antagonist with acetylcholinesterase effects in patients with functional dyspepsia.

Patients with functional dyspepsia will be randomized to Itopride (50, 100 or 200 mg tid) or placebo. After 8 weeks of treatment, three primary efficacy endpoints will be analyzed: a) change of the severity of functional dyspepsia symptoms (assessed by the Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire), b) patient's global assessment of efficacy (proportion of patients symptom-free or markedly improved)and c) improvement of pain and/or fullness by at least one grade on a 5-grade scale.

Inclusion Criteria:

Diagnosis of functional dyspepsia (Rome criteria) -

Exclusion Criteria:

structural or biochemical abnormalities explaining the symptoms, concomitant symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease or irritable bowel syndrome dominating the clinical picture

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