New developments in Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy.

BACKGROUND

The optimal strategy for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori has yet to be determined. This paper summarizes some of the latest treatment strategies for eradicating H. pylori infection.

METHOD: Literature review by author.

RESULTS

Successful eradication of H. pylori requires the use of combination therapy involving control of gastric acid secretion together with anti-microbial drugs. The two most popular strategies use either a proton-pump inhibitor or an H2 antagonist plus two antibiotics-usually metronidazole, amoxycillin or clarithromycin. Ranitidine bismuth citrate is a co-precipitate of ranitidine hydrochloride and bismuth citrate, producing a high rate of H. pylori eradication when combined with clarithromycin. Future development of this combination may involve the addition of a second antibiotic.

CONCLUSION

Modern combination therapy usually results in an 80-95% H. pylori eradication rate in compliant patients.