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Low‐ versus high‐dose azithromycin triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection
Author(s) -
William D. Chey,
Larry S. Fisher,
Jeffrey L. Barnett,
John DelValle,
G H Elta,
William L. Hasler,
Timothy T. Nostrant,
J Palaniappan,
James M. Scheiman
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
alimentary pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.308
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1365-2036
pISSN - 0269-2813
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2036.1998.00422.x
Subject(s) - medicine , azithromycin , helicobacter pylori , gastroenterology , amoxicillin , urea breath test , ranitidine , antibiotics , surgery , helicobacter pylori infection , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Background We report a clinical trial which evaluated the effectiveness of triple therapy containing low‐ and high‐dose azithromycin to treat Helicobacter pylori infection. Methods From March 1997 to March 1998, patients infected with H. pylori were assigned to receive either: Treatment 1: ranitidine bismuth citrate (RBC) (400 mg b.d.) and amoxycillin (1 g b.d.) for 10 days with azithromycin 500 mg o.m. for 3 days; or Treatment 2: RBC and amoxycillin for 10 days with azithromycin 1 g o.m. for 3 days. H. pylori eradication was established by a urea breath test at least 4 weeks after therapy. Side‐effects and compliance were assessed using a diary. Results Sixty‐eight patients were enrolled. Fifty‐seven per cent of patients were treated for active peptic ulcer disease or a history of peptic ulcer disease. Treatment 1 cured H. pylori in 44% and 44% by per protocol and intention‐to‐treat analysis, respectively. The corresponding eradication rates for Treatment 2 were 79% and 75%. Two patients taking Treatment 2 dropped out of the study because of side‐effects. Conclusions With RBC and amoxycillin for 10 days, azithromycin at a dose of 1 g/day for 3 days was significantly better at curing H. pylori infection than azithromycin 500 mg/day for 3 days.