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A one-week quadruple eradication regimen for Helicobacter pylori in routine clinical practice
Background:
The addition of omeprazole to 1 week of standard triple therapy (tripotassium dicitrato bismuthate, tetracycline and metronidazole) has given a 98% eradication rate in 54 patients at 4-6 weeks in a research setting. We report the result of a similar 1-week regimen in 52 patients in routine clinical practice assessed at a mean of 8 months.
Methods:
Fifty-two patients with peptic ulcer disease and antral biopsies containing Helicobacter pylori sensitive to metronidazole were given a 7-day course of treatment: omeprazole 20 mg b.d., tetracycline 500 mg q.d.s. and tripotassium dictitrato bismuthate chelate tablets 120 mg q.d.s., with metronidazole 400 mg five times daily for the last 3 days only. Completeness of eradication was assessed by a 13C-urea breath test at 4-26 months (mean 8 months).
Results:
Forty-eight patients (92%) had a negative breath test. Three patients vomited on the last day of the course, otherwise the treatment was well tolerated with the expected minor side-effects of tongue discoloration, nausea and unpleasant taste.
Conclusions:
The efficacy of a modified 1-week standard triple therapy with omeprazole is confirmed and shown to be almost as effective in routine clinical practice as a similar regimen in a research setting.