PURPOSE: The clinical effects of metoclopramide oral solution and tablets in patients with dysmotility-like dyspepsia (DLD) were compared. METHODS: In a prospective study, 63 patients with DLD, selected according to Rome II criteria and randomly divided into three groups, received metoclopramide tablets 5 mg t.i.d., metoclopramide oral solution 2 mg t.i.d., or placebo for one week. Assessment was based on symptom score determined by interviews and on gastric emptying time measured by ultrasonography before and after drug consumption. Two antral and stomach body biopsies were taken to evaluate infection with Helicobacter pylori and the intensity of gastritis. RESULTS: Symptom score and gastric emptying time were significantly reduced in both metoclopramide groups (p < 0.05) but not in the control group. Patients receiving the oral solution had a greater reduction in the symptom score than those receiving tablets (p < 0.05). The absence or presence of and intensity of gastritis or H. pylori infection had no correlation with the symptom scores or gastric emptying times. CONCLUSION: Metoclopramide oral solution 2 mg t.i.d. was at least as effective as metoclopramide tablets 5 mg t.i.d. in reducing symptoms of DLD and gastric emptying time.