A controlled trial of metoclopramide in symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux.

Since metoclopramide increases lower-esophageal-sphincter pressure in patients with gastroesophageal reflux, we compared the effects of metoclopramide, 10 mg four times daily, with those of placebo on symptoms in 31 patients with chronic heartburn. Eighteen patients completed a random-order, double-blind crossover study of two consecutive eight-week periods. The final 13 patients crossed over only if their symptoms were not substantially improved after the first eight weeks. Response of low-esophageal-sphincter pressure to metoclopramide did not correlate significantly with symptomatic improvement. After the metoclopramide treatment period, mean basal pressure was unchanged from values before study. In both treatment periods, metoclopramide-treated patients had significantly more symptomatic improvement than the control group (P less than 0.05).