Lansoprazole triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori--is 5 days enough?

Seven-day proton pump inhibitor triple therapy is currently the treatment of choice for Helicobacter pylori infection. It is unclear whether triple therapy for less than 7 days might preserve efficacy while at the same time improving patient acceptability and compliance.

To evaluate the Helicobactericidal efficacy, ulcer healing capacity and patient acceptability of a 5-day lansoprazole-based triple therapy regimen.

Sixty-nine consecutive patients with H. pylori-positive peptic ulcer received lansoprazole 30 mg twice daily in combination with metronidazole 400 mg twice daily and clarithromycin 250 mg twice daily for 5 days. Ulcer healing medication was not continued after the 5-day regimen. H. pylori status was assessed before and at least 4 weeks after therapy by rapid urease test and histology. Adverse events and compliance were assessed by direct questioning.

All 69 patients attended for repeat endoscopy and 63 were H. pylori-negative after therapy giving a cure rate of 91%, (95%, Cl: 85-98%). Of the 59 patients with active ulcers, 58 were healed at repeat endoscopy giving an ulcer healing rate of 98% (95% Cl: 92-100%). All patients fully complied with therapy and mild adverse events, mainly gastrointestinal, were reported by 11 patients (16%).

Five-day lansoprazole triple therapy is an effective regimen for H. pylori infection which combines a high cure rate and ulcer healing efficacy with the advantages of excellent patient acceptability and compliance.