Use of high efficacy, lower dose triple therapy to reduce side effects of eradicating Helicobacter pylori.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate two triple-therapy (TT) regimens of colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS), metronidazole, and tetracycline HCl in eradicating Helicobacter pylori, with particular attention to the frequency of resulting adverse effects of the two therapies.


METHODS
A prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted in patients with symptoms of dyspepsia who were positive for H. pylori. Subjects received a 14-day course of either 4 x/day therapy of CBS (108 mg), tetracycline HCl (500 mg), and metronidazole (250 mg), or 5 x/day therapy of CBS (108 mg), tetracycline HCl (250 mg), and metronidazole (200 mg). H. pylori status was determined endoscopically by urease test, histology, and culture. Standard questionnaires were administered to determine compliance to treatment and side effects of therapy.


RESULTS
H. pylori was eradicated in 196/213 (92%) patients in the 4 x/day group and 202/210 (96%) in the 5 x/day group (p = 0.07). Side effects were significantly less frequent and less severe in the 5 x/day group (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that a lower dose, 5 x/day triple therapy treatment of H. pylori is equally efficacious to the standard 4 x/day therapy, but is accompanied by fewer and milder adverse effects.
Borody
T J
TJ
Centre for Digestive Diseases, Five Dock, New South Wales, Australia.
Brandl
S
S
Andrews
P
P
Ferch
N
N
Jankiewicz
E
E
Hyland
L
L
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000139:chemically induced; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003248:Constipation / Q000139:chemically induced; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D008795:Metronidazole; D013752:Tetracycline; C002791:bismuth tripotassium dicitrate