People have the right to be involved in discussions and make informed decisions about their care, as described in NICE's information on making decisions about your care.
Making decisions using NICE guidelines explains how we use words to show the strength (or certainty) of our recommendations, and has information about prescribing medicines (including off-label use), professional guidelines, standards and laws (including on consent and mental capacity), and safeguarding.
These recommendations apply to adults (aged 18 and over) with symptoms of dyspepsia, symptoms suggestive of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), or both.
In this guideline, GORD refers to endoscopically determined oesophagitis or endoscopy-negative reflux disease.
Community pharmacists should offer initial and ongoing help for people with symptoms of dyspepsia. This includes advice about lifestyle changes, using over-the-counter medication, help with prescribed drugs and advice about when to consult a GP. [2004]
Community pharmacists should record adverse reactions to treatment and may participate in primary care medication review clinics. [2004]
Offer simple lifestyle advice, including advice on healthy eating, weight reduction and smoking cessation. [2004]
Advise people to avoid known precipitants they associate with their dyspepsia where possible. These include smoking, alcohol, coffee, chocolate, fatty foods and being overweight. Raising the head of the bed and having a main meal well before going to bed may help some people. [2004]
Provide people with access to educational materials to support the care they receive. [2004]
Recognise that psychological therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy and psychotherapy, may reduce dyspeptic symptoms in the short term in individual people. [2004, amended 2014]
Encourage people who need long-term management of dyspepsia symptoms to reduce their use of prescribed medication stepwise: by using the effective lowest dose, by trying 'as-needed' use when appropriate, and by returning to self-treatment with antacid and/or alginate therapy (unless there is an underlying condition or comedication that needs continuing treatment). [2004, amended 2014]
For people presenting with dyspepsia together with significant acute gastrointestinal bleeding, refer them immediately (on the same day) to a specialist. Also see the NICE guideline on acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in over 16s: management. [2004]
Review medications for possible causes of dyspepsia (for example, calcium antagonists, nitrates, theophyllines, bisphosphonates, corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs]). In people needing referral, suspend NSAID use. [2004]
Think about the possibility of cardiac or biliary disease as part of the differential diagnosis. [2004, amended 2014]
If people have had a previous endoscopy and do not have any new alarm signs, consider continuing management according to previous endoscopic findings. [2004]
For more information about alarm signs and when to refer people to specialists when they present with symptoms that could be caused by cancer, see the NICE guideline on suspected cancer: recognition and referral.
Be aware that dyspepsia in unselected people in primary care is defined broadly to include people with recurrent epigastric pain, heartburn or acid regurgitation, with or without bloating, nausea or vomiting. Also see the section on common elements of care. [2004, amended 2014]
Leave a 2‑week washout period after proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use before testing for Helicobacter pylori (hereafter referred to as H pylori) with a breath test or a stool antigen test. [2004, amended 2014]
Offer empirical full-dose PPI therapy (see table 1 in appendix A) for 4 weeks to people with dyspepsia. [2004]
Offer H pylori 'test and treat' to people with dyspepsia. [2004]
If symptoms return after initial care strategies, step down PPI therapy to the lowest dose needed to control symptoms. Discuss using the treatment on an 'as-needed' basis with people to manage their own symptoms. [2004]
Offer H2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) therapy if there is an inadequate response to a PPI. [2004, amended 2014]
Offer people who need long-term management of dyspepsia symptoms an annual review of their condition, and encourage them to try stepping down or stopping treatment (unless there is an underlying condition or comedication that needs continuing treatment). [2004, amended 2014]
Advise people that it may be appropriate for them to return to self-treatment with antacid and/or alginate therapy (either prescribed or purchased over-the-counter and taken as needed). [2004, amended 2014]
Manage uninvestigated 'reflux-like' symptoms as uninvestigated dyspepsia. [2004, amended 2014]
Offer people with GORD a full-dose PPI (see table 1 in appendix A) for 4 or 8 weeks. [2004]
If symptoms recur after initial treatment, offer a PPI at the lowest dose possible to control symptoms. [2004, amended 2014]
Discuss with people how they can manage their own symptoms by using the treatment when they need it. [2004]
Offer H2RA therapy if there is an inadequate response to a PPI. [2004, amended 2014]
People who have had dilatation of an oesophageal stricture should remain on long-term full-dose PPI therapy (see table 1 in appendix A). [2004]
Offer people a full-dose PPI (see table 2 in appendix A) for 8 weeks to heal severe oesophagitis, taking into account the person's preference and clinical circumstances (for example, underlying health conditions and possible interactions with other drugs). [new 2014]
If initial treatment for healing severe oesophagitis fails, consider a high dose of the initial PPI, switching to another full-dose PPI (see table 2) or switching to another high-dose PPI (see table 2 in appendix A), taking into account the person's preference and clinical circumstances (for example, tolerability of the initial PPI, underlying health conditions and possible interactions with other drugs). [new 2014]
Offer a full-dose PPI (see table 2 in appendix A) long-term as maintenance treatment for people with severe oesophagitis, taking into account the person's preference and clinical circumstances (for example, tolerability of the PPI, underlying health conditions and possible interactions with other drugs), and the acquisition cost of the PPI. [new 2014]
If the person's severe oesophagitis fails to respond to maintenance treatment, carry out a clinical review. Consider switching to another PPI at full dose or high dose (see table 2 in appendix A), taking into account the person's preference and clinical circumstances, and/or seeking specialist advice. [new 2014]
Do not routinely offer endoscopy to diagnose Barrett's oesophagus, but consider it if the person has GORD. Discuss the person's preferences and their individual risk factors (for example, long duration of symptoms, increased frequency of symptoms, previous oesophagitis, previous hiatus hernia, oesophageal stricture or oesophageal ulcers, or male gender). [new 2014]
Offer H pylori eradication therapy to people who have tested positive for H pylori and who have peptic ulcer disease. Also see the section on H pylori testing and eradication. [2004]
For people using NSAIDs with diagnosed peptic ulcer, stop the use of NSAIDs where possible. Offer full-dose PPI (see table 1 in appendix A) or H2RA therapy for 8 weeks and, if H pylori is present, subsequently offer eradication therapy. [2004]
Offer people with gastric ulcer and H pylori repeat endoscopy 6 to 8 weeks after beginning treatment, depending on the size of the lesion. [2004, amended 2014]
Offer people with peptic ulcer (gastric or duodenal) and H pylori retesting for H pylori 6 to 8 weeks after beginning treatment, depending on the size of the lesion. [2004, amended 2014]
Offer full-dose PPI (see table 1 in appendix A) or H2RA therapy for 4 to 8 weeks to people who have tested negative for H pylori who are not taking NSAIDs. [2004]
For people continuing to take NSAIDs after a peptic ulcer has healed, discuss the potential harm from NSAID treatment. Review the need for NSAID use regularly (at least every 6 months) and offer a trial of use on a limited, 'as-needed' basis. Consider reducing the dose, substituting an NSAID with paracetamol, or using an alternative analgesic or low-dose ibuprofen (1.2 g daily). [2004]
In people at high risk (previous ulceration) and for whom NSAID continuation is necessary, consider a COX‑2 selective NSAID instead of a standard NSAID. In either case, prescribe with a PPI. [2004, amended 2014]
In people with an unhealed ulcer, exclude non-adherence, malignancy, failure to detect H pylori, inadvertent NSAID use, other ulcer-inducing medication and rare causes such as Zollinger–Ellison syndrome or Crohn's disease. [2004]
If symptoms recur after initial treatment, offer a PPI to be taken at the lowest dose possible to control symptoms. Discuss using the treatment on an 'as-needed' basis with people to manage their own symptoms. [2004, amended 2014]
Offer H2RA therapy if there is an inadequate response to a PPI. [2004]
Manage endoscopically determined functional dyspepsia using initial treatment for H pylori if present, followed by symptomatic management and periodic monitoring. [2004]
Offer eradication therapy to people testing positive for H pylori. [2004]
Do not routinely offer re-testing after eradication, although the information it provides may be valued by individual people. [2004]
If H pylori has been excluded and symptoms persist, offer either a low-dose PPI (see table 1 in appendix A) or an H2RA for 4 weeks. [2004, amended 2014]
If symptoms continue or recur after initial treatment, offer a PPI or H2RA to be taken at the lowest dose possible to control symptoms. [2004, amended 2014]
Discuss using PPI treatment on an 'as-needed' basis with people to manage their own symptoms. [2004]
Avoid long-term, frequent dose, continuous antacid therapy (it only relieves symptoms in the short term rather than preventing them). [2004, amended 2014]
Test for H pylori using a carbon‑13 urea breath test or a stool antigen test, or laboratory-based serology where its performance has been locally validated. [2004, amended 2014]
Perform re-testing for H pylori using a carbon‑13 urea breath test. (There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend the stool antigen test as a test of eradication; this refers to evidence reviewed in 2004.) [2004]
Do not use office-based serological tests for H pylori because of their inadequate performance. [2004, amended 2014]
Offer people who test positive for H pylori a 7‑day, twice-daily course of treatment with:
a PPI (see table 3 in appendix A) and
amoxicillin and
either clarithromycin or metronidazole.
Choose the treatment regimen with the lowest acquisition cost, and take into account previous exposure to clarithromycin or metronidazole. [new 2014]
Offer people who are allergic to penicillin a 7‑day, twice-daily course of treatment with:
a PPI (see table 3 in appendix A) and
clarithromycin and
metronidazole. [new 2014]
For the assessment of allergy to beta-lactam antibiotics and referral to specialist care, see the NICE guideline on drug allergy.
Offer people who are allergic to penicillin and who have had previous exposure to clarithromycin a 7‑day course of treatment with:
a PPI (see table 3 in appendix A) and
bismuth and
metronidazole and
tetracycline.
For the assessment of allergy to beta-lactam antibiotics and referral to specialist care, see the NICE guideline on drug allergy. [new 2014, amended 2019]
Discuss treatment adherence with the person and emphasise its importance. For more information about supporting adherence, see the NICE guideline on medicines adherence. [new 2014]
Offer people who still have symptoms after first-line eradication treatment a 7‑day, twice-daily course of treatment with:
a PPI (see table 3 in appendix A) and
amoxicillin and
either clarithromycin or metronidazole (whichever was not used first line). [new 2014]
Offer people who have had previous exposure to clarithromycin and metronidazole a 7‑day course of treatment with:
a PPI (see table 3 in appendix A) and
amoxicillin and
tetracycline (or, if a tetracycline cannot be used, levofloxacin).
[new 2014, amended 2019]
In September 2024, this was an off-label use of levofloxacin. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.
Offer people who are allergic to penicillin (and who have not had previous exposure to a fluoroquinolone antibiotic) a 7‑day, twice-daily course of treatment with:
a PPI (see table 3 in appendix A) and
metronidazole and
levofloxacin.
For the assessment of allergy to beta-lactam antibiotics and referral to specialist care, see the NICE guideline on drug allergy. [new 2014, amended 2019]
In September 2024, this was an off-label use of levofloxacin. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.
See the MHRA January 2024 advice on restrictions and precautions for using fluoroquinolone antibiotics because of the risk of disabling and potentially long-lasting or irreversible side effects.
Offer people who are allergic to penicillin and who have had previous exposure to a fluoroquinolone antibiotic a 7‑day course of:
a PPI (see table 3 in appendix A) and
bismuth and
metronidazole and
tetracycline.
For the assessment of allergy to beta-lactam antibiotics and referral to specialist care, see the NICE guideline on drug allergy. [new 2014, amended 2019]
Seek advice from a gastroenterologist if eradication of H pylori is not successful with second-line treatment. [new 2014]
Consider laparoscopic fundoplication for people who have:
a confirmed diagnosis of acid reflux and adequate symptom control with acid suppression therapy, but who do not wish to continue with this therapy long term
a confirmed diagnosis of acid reflux and symptoms that are responding to a PPI, but who cannot tolerate acid suppression therapy. [new 2014]
Consider referral to a specialist service for people:
of any age with gastro-oesophageal symptoms that are non-responsive to treatment or unexplained (in the NICE guideline on suspected cancer: recognition and referral, 'unexplained' is defined as 'symptoms or signs that have not led to a diagnosis being made by the healthcare professional in primary care after initial assessment [including history, examination and any primary care investigations]')
with suspected GORD who are thinking about surgery
with H pylori that has not responded to second-line eradication therapy. [new 2014]
Consider surveillance to check progression to cancer for people who have a diagnosis of Barrett's oesophagus (confirmed by endoscopy and histopathology), taking into account:
the presence of dysplasia (also see the NICE guideline on Barrett's oesophagus and stage 1 oesophageal adenocarcinoma)
the person's individual preference
the person's risk factors (for example, male gender, older age and the length of the Barrett's oesophagus segment).
Emphasise that the harms of endoscopic surveillance may outweigh the benefits in people who are at low risk of progression to cancer (for example, people with stable non-dysplastic Barrett's oesophagus). [new 2014]