Pharmaceutical interference with the [14C] carbon urea breath test for the detection of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Helicobacter pylori bacteria reside in the mucosal lining of the stomach where, due to a variety of factors, the infection predisposes patients to peptic ulcer disease. Detection of H. pylori is important in the treatment and follow-up of patients with peptic ulcer disease and the urea breath test is the method of choice. This article will briefly review the methods for diagnosing H. pylori, emphasizing the [(14)C]urea breath test. The agents which can interfere with the results of the breath test will be reviewed and the role of the consulting pharmacist will be discussed.