Acotiamide: What it treats and how to use it

Acotiamide is a prescription medicine used mainly for functional dyspepsia, especially postprandial fullness and early satiety. If you feel full quickly after eating, bloated or bothered by upper stomach discomfort after meals, acotiamide is one of the drugs your doctor may consider.

How it works: acotiamide helps the stomach relax and improves gastric motility by boosting acetylcholine activity in the gut. That leads to better gastric emptying and improved accommodation of the stomach after meals. Many patients notice symptom relief within 2 to 4 weeks of starting therapy.

Typical dose and taking it right

The usual dose used in clinical studies is 100 mg three times a day, taken before meals. Always follow your prescriber's instructions. Take it the same way each day, and don't triple up if you miss one dose. If symptoms don't improve after a few weeks, talk with your doctor about adjusting treatment.

Side effects and safety tips

Most side effects are mild. People report headache, diarrhea, or dry mouth. Serious reactions are rare, but stop the drug and seek help if you get severe allergic symptoms, fast heartbeat, or fainting. If you have severe liver or kidney disease, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, discuss risks and alternatives with your clinician before using acotiamide.

Acotiamide can interact with other medicines that affect stomach movement or certain heart medicines. Bring a complete list of drugs and supplements to your appointment so your prescriber can check for interactions.

Want to try it? You will need a prescription. Don’t buy from unclear online sellers. Use a licensed pharmacy and confirm packaging and expiry dates when receiving medicine by mail. If cost is an issue, ask your provider about patient assistance programs or generic options where available.

Monitoring: your doctor may assess symptom scores and ask about side effects after a few weeks. There isn’t a routine blood test required for everyone, but your clinician may order tests if you have other medical problems or take multiple medicines.

Who benefits most: people with postprandial distress syndrome — the full, uncomfortable feeling after meals — tend to respond best. It’s less helpful for ulcers, reflux caused by acid, or serious structural problems in the stomach. Your doctor can help determine if acotiamide targets the right problem for you.

Final tip: keep a simple symptom diary for two weeks before and during treatment. Note meal size, timing, and how full or bloated you feel. That record makes it easier to see if acotiamide is working and helps your clinician decide on next steps.

How it compares: acotiamide is different from acid blockers like proton pump inhibitors because it improves motility rather than reducing acid. Some patients try dietary changes first — smaller meals, less fatty food, limiting coffee and alcohol — before or alongside medication. If you’ve tried lifestyle changes and still have symptoms, note that combining approaches often helps. Always review options with your clinician before adding treatments or stopping current medicines. Ask questions early.