R E Pounder1. 1. University Dept. of Medicine, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The optimal strategy for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori has yet to be determined. This paper summarizes some of the latest treatment strategies for eradicating H. pylori infection. METHOD: Literature review by author. RESULTS: Successful eradication of H. pylori requires the use of combination therapy involving control of gastric acid secretion together with anti-microbial drugs. The two most popular strategies use either a proton-pump inhibitor or an H2 antagonist plus two antibiotics-usually metronidazole, amoxycillin or clarithromycin. Ranitidine bismuth citrate is a co-precipitate of ranitidine hydrochloride and bismuth citrate, producing a high rate of H. pylori eradication when combined with clarithromycin. Future development of this combination may involve the addition of a second antibiotic. CONCLUSION: Modern combination therapy usually results in an 80-95% H. pylori eradication rate in compliant patients.
BACKGROUND: The optimal strategy for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori has yet to be determined. This paper summarizes some of the latest treatment strategies for eradicating H. pyloriinfection. METHOD: Literature review by author. RESULTS: Successful eradication of H. pylori requires the use of combination therapy involving control of gastric acid secretion together with anti-microbial drugs. The two most popular strategies use either a proton-pump inhibitor or an H2 antagonist plus two antibiotics-usually metronidazole, amoxycillin or clarithromycin. Ranitidine bismuth citrate is a co-precipitate of ranitidine hydrochloride and bismuth citrate, producing a high rate of H. pylori eradication when combined with clarithromycin. Future development of this combination may involve the addition of a second antibiotic. CONCLUSION: Modern combination therapy usually results in an 80-95% H. pylori eradication rate in compliant patients.