[Ranitidine and clarithromycin for eradication of Helicobacter pylori in patients with duodenal ulcer]

To compare the efficacy of ranitidine (CAS66357-35-5, Sostril) in combination with clarithromycin (CAS 81103-11-9, Cyllind) against H. pylori, a controlled randomized double-blind study was carried out. Fourty duodenal ulcer patients were treated either with ranitidine 150 mg b.i.d. and clarithromycin 500 mg q.i.d. (20 patients, group 1) or ranitidine 300 mg q.i.d. and clarithromycin 500 mg q.i.d. (20 patients, group 2) for 14 days. Both treatment groups received an additional treatment with ranitidine 300 mg daily for another 14 days. Endoscopy 6 weeks after the beginning of the trial showed complete ulcer healing in all patients. The control of H. pylori status done by CLO (Campylobacter-like organism) test and histology yielded an eradication rate of 84% (group 2) and 61% (group 1) in patients with duodenal ulcer disease treated with ranitidine and clarithromycin. Whether higher suppression of gastric acidity with a higher dose of ranitidine in combination with the antibiotic clarithromycin presents clear advantages in eradication of H. pylori should be investigated in further studies.