Aim : To perform a systematic review on the efficacy of intermittent and on‐demand therapy with either histamine H₂‐receptor antagonists or proton pump inhibitors for patients with erosive oesophagitis or symptomatic heartburn.

Method : We conducted randomized‐controlled trials of non‐continuous therapy in gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease patients.

Results : Fourteen studies met inclusion criteria. Because of variation in outcome measures statistical pooling of results was not possible. Results were analysed qualitatively. Four studies evaluated intermittent therapy of treatment 3 days a week with omeprazole 20 mg or daily with ranitidine which were not efficacious compared to a daily proton pump inhibitor. Famotidine 10 and 20 mg, ranitidine 75 mg and cimetidine 200 mg were efficacious in five on‐demand studies for relief of symptomatic heartburn episodes. In three of four studies, evaluating only non‐erosive (endoscopy‐negative) gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease patients, esomeprazole 20 and 40 mg and omeprazole 10 and 20 mg a day were efficacious using willingness to continue as an endpoint. Lansoprazole 30 mg and omeprazole 20 mg maintained symptom control in 60–70% of healed oesophagitis patients.

Conclusions : Intermittent proton pump inhibitor or H₂‐receptor antagonist therapy is not effective in maintaining control in oesophagitis patients. H₂‐receptor antagonists are effective for relief of heartburn episodes. On‐demand proton pump inhibitor therapy may work in a proportion of non‐erosive gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease patients.