Short report: high-dose omeprazole and amoxycillin in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori-associated duodenal ulcer.

Thirteen consecutive patients with active duodenal ulcer disease were assigned to a treatment schedule with high-dose omeprazole and amoxycillin. Duodenal ulcer was diagnosed endoscopically in all patients, at which time antral biopsies were taken for culture and histology. All were positive for Helicobacter pylori and histological gastritis. Treatment was for 2 weeks: 80 mg omeprazole daily plus 500 mg amoxycillin syrup t.d.s. in the first week, followed by 40 mg omeprazole daily in the second week. Repeat gastroscopy was performed 4 weeks after completion of treatment in all patients. Duodenal ulcer healing occurred in 4/13 patients. H. pylori eradication was achieved in 2/4 patients with healed ulcers and in 3/9 patients with persistent ulceration. This study suggests that a short period of treatment with high-dose omeprazole and amoxycillin achieves low rates of ulcer healing and H. pylori eradication.