[Helicobacter pylori eradication: modified triple therapy with lansoprazole]

For the eradication of Helicobacter pylori in H.p.-positive patients with peptic ulcer, preference is presently being given worldwide to the modified triple therapy-comprising an acid suppressant and two antibiotics. This relatively new form of treatment is highly effective, relatively well tolerated, patient-friendly (5 to 6 tablets daily), and inexpensive. In 12 studies involving more than 600 patients, the new proton pump inhibitor, lansoprazole, has proved to be an effective component of this eradication regimen. In combination with clarithromycin and metronidazole or amoxicillin and clarithromycin, consistently high eradication rates of more than 85% are obtained, with treatment of only seven days duration. Since in terms of clinical efficacy 30 mg lansoprazole daily presumably correspond to 40 mg omeprazole daily, the new proton pump inhibitor represents a more economic alternative for H.p. eradication.