Menthacarin^®​ in functional dyspepsia – a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction We present a systematic review summarizing clinical studies with Menthacarin^®​*, the combination of peppermint and caraway oil, in functional gastrointestinal conditions. A meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials in functional dyspepsia (FD) was performed for efficacy and focusing on improvement in epigastric pain and patients' overall clinical impression.

Methods A systematic literature search was performed to identify clinical studies on the safety and efficacy of Menthacarin^®​ which were published until June 2022. Efficacy analysis included change in epigastric pain intensity and overall global improvement of patients measured by item 2 of the Clinical Global Impression (CGI), both assessed after 4 weeks of treatment.

Results Five randomized trials [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] involving 580 patients were found, demonstrating significant effects of Menthacarin^®​ on symptoms of FD such as pain, bloating or postprandial fullness compared with placebo or similar effects compared with a reference drug. Meta-analysis could be performed with 3 randomized placebo-controlled trials [1] [2] [3] with 249 patients. Results showed a significant reduction in pain intensity (standardized mean difference 0.80; 95% CI: 0.39–1.21). Moreover, significantly more patients had considerably improved in the Menthacarin^®​ group according to CGI item 2 (risk ratios 2.65; 95% CI: 1.81–3.87). Other publications reported favorable results on therapeutic use in FD patients with concurrent H. pylori infection as well as in irritable bowel syndrome. Safety and tolerability in patients from 12 years of age and in long-term intake was also demonstrated.

Conclusions Menthacarin^®​ has clinically relevant treatment effects on abdominal pain, bloating, and/or sensation of fullness. The herbal medicinal product should therefore be considered in treatment recommendations.

*Menthacarin^®​ is the active ingredient of products such as Carmenthin^®​ or Gaspan^®​ manufactured by Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG, Karlsruhe, Germany

Publication History

Article published online:
14 June 2023

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