Herbal Preparation STW 5 for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: Clinical Experience in Everyday Practice

Background: The most common functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) are functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with a prevalence in the general population of 15–20% (FD) and 10% (IBS), respectively. The complexity of pathophysiologic mechanisms and limitations in therapeutic options make the management of FD and IBS patients a challenge in routine clinical practice. Summary: Syndromes classified as FGID frequently overlap, and coexist with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Patients with overlapping symptoms are more likely to seek medical care. The challenge for routine clinical practice is to find the best approach for treatment of multiple symptoms. STW 5, a combination of 9 herbal extracts, was shown to have multi-target effects: it normalizes the disturbed gastrointestinal motility, alleviates hypersensitivity, inhibits inflammation, suppresses gastric hypersecretion, and modulates the microbiota. Controlled randomized studies proved STW 5 to be efficacious both in FD and IBS, with control over the full spectrum of upper and lower gastrointestinal symptoms. STW 5 reduced concomitant heartburn in FD patients. STW 5 was well tolerated in the examined populations, independent of concomitant diseases and concomitant medication. Key Messages: The clinical use of the herbal preparation STW 5 in FD and IBS is evidence-based. STW 5 is an example for the concept of multi-target therapy. It offers treatment opportunities in routine clinical practice with high prevalence of overlap of FGID and concomitant GERD. Considering that FD and IBS are typically chronic and recurrent conditions, the clinically observed good tolerability and safety of STW 5 is an advantage.