Emerging treatments in neurogastroenterology: Acotiamade, a novel treatment option for functional dyspepsia

Background: Acotiamide hydrochloride (Z-338) is a new therapeutic agent for functional dyspepsia (FD). In 2013, the use of acotiamide was approved by the Japanese health insurance system. Purpose: The aim of this review is to summarize the present staus of basic and clinical approach to acotiamide for the treatment of functional dyspepsia. The agent inhibits acetylcholinesterase in vitro and enhances muscle motility ex vivo. In phase-II studies, 100 mg three times daily (t.i.d.) was determined to be the optimal dose for the treatment of FD. In phase-III studies, overall treatment efficacy (OTE) was significantly better in the acotiamide group (52.2%) than in the placebo group (34.8%). However, the mechanism of its efficacy needs to be further elucidated. Acotiamide effectively improved FD symptoms, particularly postprandial distress syndrome symptoms, without causing major adverse effects.