Triple therapy with ranitidine or lansoprazole in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori-associated duodenal ulcer.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to verify the efficacy--in the cure of duodenal ulcer associated H. pylori infection--of ranitidine 300 mg taken late in the evening or lansoprazole 30 mg taken before breakfast, coupled with clarithromycin and metronidazole.

METHODS

Eighty patients with endoscopically proven active duodenal ulcer were randomized to take ranitidine or lansoprazole for 4-8 wk, together with clarithromycin 250 mg b.i.d. and metronidazole 500 mg b.id. for the first 2 wk. Endoscopic controls, as well as histological and urease tests for H. pylori, were performed at entry and after 4 and 8 wk.

RESULTS

According to intent-to-treat analysis, ulcers were healed after 4 wk in 36/40 patients (90%) with ranitidine and in 38/40 (95%) with lansoprazole. After 8 wk, the healing percentage with ranitidine and lansoprazole was 97% (39/40) and 95% (38/40), respectively. H. pylori was eradicated in 85% of the patients taking ranitidine and in 90% of those taking lanzoprazole. Side effects were reported in 25% of the patients in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results confirm that the combination of ranitidine, clarithromycin, and metronidazole can be considered an alternative to proton pump inhibitors in terms of clinical efficacy and economy.