Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection

Semin Gastrointest Dis. 2001 Jul;12(3):167-79.

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori is a serious, chronic, progressive, and transmissible infection associated with a significant morbidity and mortality, which alone emphasizes the priority of developing adequate prophylactic or therapeutic measures. What was previously termed "asymptomatic H. pylori infection" is now recognized as a latent infection, and it is now accepted that the presence of an H. pylori infection is an indication for eradication therapy. Successful cure of H. pylori infection requires 2 or more antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance is the major impediment of cure. The ideal duration of therapy is unknown, but in general, 1 week therapy is less effective than longer durations. Compliance is important for the success of treatment; therefore, the favored regimen should have the least side effects. At present, a proton pump inhibitor (or ranitidine bismuth citrate)-clarithromycin triple therapy with either amoxicillin or metronidazole, for at least 10 days is considered first-line therapy. The alternative is quadruple therapy containing a proton pump inhibitor, bismuth, tetracycline, and a higher dose of metronidazole. Quadruple therapy is the best choice after failure of proton pump inhibitor-clarithromycin triple therapy. Confirmation of successful therapy with a urea breath test or a stool antigen test is now the standard of practice.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Anti-Ulcer Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bismuth / therapeutic use
  • Clarithromycin / therapeutic use
  • Drug Resistance
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Helicobacter Infections / drug therapy*
  • Helicobacter pylori / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Metronidazole / therapeutic use
  • Proton Pump Inhibitors
  • Tetracycline / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Ulcer Agents
  • Proton Pump Inhibitors
  • Metronidazole
  • Tetracycline
  • Clarithromycin
  • Bismuth