Herbal treatment for dyspepsia proves worth - study

Professor Gerald Holtmann

Up to 40% of the population suffers from unexplained indigestion at some point in time*, and currently it is common practice for doctors and gastroenterologists to prescribe PPIs to treat dyspepsia. The clinical trial result is therefore positive news for many South Africans, especially those who would prefer taking a natural medicine to manage their symptoms.

The results were presented at DDW (Digestive Disease Week), the international gastroenterology congress, in Orlando, Florida on 20 May 2013 by the principle investigator of the trial, Professor Gerald Holtmann, Director of the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, Australia.

Clinical trial

Funded by the Australian Government with an National Health and Medical Research Council grant, the clinical trial involved 110 patients with FD who were divided into four arms enabling comparisons between placebo, Iberogast, PPI (esomeprazole), and Iberogast combined with the PPI.

The trial revealed that after four weeks of treatment, Iberogast worked as well in reducing symptoms of FD as the PPI, with both being significantly better than placebo. Of particular note, is the fact that relapse rates after cessation of active therapy for two weeks, were significantly higher with the PPI (47%) compared to Iberogast only (7%), especially for symptoms such as heartburn and abdominal pain.

Furthermore, the clinical trial showed that combining the PPI and Iberogast did not yield a better response rate, and that relapse rates after using the combined mixture were higher compared to using Iberogast alone.

Professor Holtmann commented that "The result is significant, as it shows for the first time, that when studied for efficacy and safety, there is no statistical difference in efficacy of natural medicines and mainstream drugs.

"What is interesting about this study is that it gives consumers, who experience often debilitating gastrointestinal symptoms, the comfort and confidence that there are clinically proven natural options outside of prescription medications. The fact that Iberogast has been used for over 50 years around the world is now reinforced by the results of this study."

Iberogast

Iberogast is a liquid formulation combining nine herbal extracts that work synergistically to provide relief from the symptoms of both IBS and dyspepsia. The herbs included in Iberogast are angelica root, caraway fruit, celandine, liquorice root, bitter candy tuft, chamomile, lemon balm, peppermint and St Mary's thistle.

Used by an estimated 25 million people worldwide, Iberogast has been studied in 19 clinical trials, seven of which were double blind and randomised. Since its launch, no significant adverse medical reactions have been reported to drug regulatory authorities worldwide.

Results from clinical trials indicate that Iberogast reduces symptoms in patients with FD and IBS by normalising dysfunctional gastrointestinal motility, toning the lower oesophageal sphincter, reducing the production of gastric acid, reducing visceral hypersensitivity and demonstrating anti-inflammatory properties in the gut. These five actions work together to reduce the gastrointestinal symptoms associated with IBS and FD including bloating, cramping, constipation, reflux, flatulence, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea and stomach pain.

Iberogast is the only medicine indicated for both Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and FD in Germany and the only complementary medicine approved for efficacy and safety in IBS and FD by the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) in Australia. In South Africa, doctors' prescriptions dispensed in pharmacies are reimbursed by the majority of medical aid schemes.

Iberogast is marketed by Flordis SA, a division of Soho Flordis International (SFI). For more information, visit http://www.flordis.co.za/hcp