In treatment of active duodenal ulcer and Helicobacter pylori eradication.

AIM: To compare the efficacy of lansoprazole and pantoprazole in treatment of active duodenal ulcer and Helicobacterpylori eradication.

METHODOLOGY: A total of 50 patients, with a positive rapid urease test and endoscopically diagnosed active duodenal ulcer, were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups after endoscopic examinations. Patients in the first group received lansoprazole 30 mg b.d., amoxycillin 1000mg b.d., clarithromycin 500 mg b.d.; patients in the second group received pantoprazole 40 mg b.d., amoxycillin 1000 mg b.d., clarithromycin 500 mg b.d for two weeks. Patients were scheduled for repeat endoscopic examination; repeat rapid urease test, and histological examination 4 weeks after the end of the therapy.

RESULTS: Hp was eradicated in 84.2% of the patients received lansoprazole and in 83.3% of the patients received pantoprazole. The difference was not significant (P>0.05). In the lansoprazole group 90.5%, and in the pantoprazole group 83.3% of the patients experienced complete duodenal ulcer healing at the time of follow-up endoscopic examination. We found no statistical significant difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSION: Lansoprazole and pantoprazole both have similar effect in eradication of Hp, and in terms of ulcer healing. Comparative studies in larger trials are needed to compare the efficacy of lansoprazole and pantoprazole in treatment of active duodenal ulcers.