One-week once-daily triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori--a pilot study

Proton-pump inhibitor-based triple therapy given over one to two weeks is currently one of the recommended regimens for eradication of Helicobacter pylori. Most of these regimens require twice daily intake of medication. The present study explored the possibility of using a one-week once-daily triple therapy in the eradication of H. pylori.

Thirty-two consecutive patients with acid-peptic disease associated with H. pylori infection (duodenal ulcer 18 patients; gastric ulcer 8 patients; duodenitis 1 patient; gastritis 5 patients) were prospectively recruited. They were given a 1-week course of lansoprazole 30 mg, clarithromycin modified-release 500 mg, and metronidazole 800 mg, all taken once daily.

The age of these 32 patients ranged from 17-89 years with a mean of 57.5 years. Side effects occurred in 5 patients (15.6%; 95% CI: 5.3-32.8%). All patients finished the treatment and underwent a second endoscopy. Positive endoscopic finding was found in one patient (3.1%; 95% CI: 0.07-16.2%). On intent-to-treat and per protocol analysis, the eradication rate was 87.5% (95% CI: 71.0-96.5%).

A one-week once-daily course of lansoprazole, clarithromycin modified release and metronidazole is a safe, well-tolerated, easy to comply with, and efficacious treatment for H. pylori infection. In view of the small sample size, further studies should be performed to validate its effectiveness.