Premium
Efficacy of a 1‐week regimen of ranitidine bismuth citrate in combination with metronidazole and clarithromycin for Helicobacter pylori eradication
Author(s) -
James S. Hoffman,
L.M. Katz,
D. R. Cave
Publication year - 1999
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.1365-2036.1999.00498.x
Subject(s) - clarithromycin , medicine , metronidazole , regimen , helicobacter pylori , breath test , gastroenterology , ranitidine hydrochloride , urea breath test , antibiotics , pharmacology , helicobacter pylori infection , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Background : In order to improve the efficacy and simplicity of the FDA‐approved regimen of ranitidine bismuth citrate (RBC) and clarithromycin dual therapy, we added an inexpensive antibiotic (metronidazole), changed the dosage scheme to twice daily dosing, and decreased the duration of therapy to 1 week. Methods : This was an open label study in which subjects with previously untreated Helicobacter pylori infection documented by serology or endoscopy and confirmed by the 13 C‐urea breath test received a 1‐week course of RBC 400 mg b.d., metronidazole 500 mg b.d. and clarithromycin 500 mg b.d. A repeat breath test was performed 4–6 weeks after completing therapy. Results : Forty‐seven out of 50 subjects completed the protocol. Intention‐to‐treat and per protocol cure rates were 86% and 91%, respectively. The regimen was well tolerated. Study drugs were stopped in two patients due to side‐effects. The most common side‐effect was self‐limited diarrhoea. Conclusion : Twice daily RBC‐based triple therapy with metronidazole and clarithromycin for 1 week is well tolerated and effective in eradicating H. pylori infection.