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.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Modern combination therapy usually results in an 80-95% H. pylori eradication rate in compliant patients.
Pounder
R E
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University Dept. of Medicine, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London, UK.
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001729:Bismuth / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D011899:Ranitidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; C073340:ranitidine bismuth citrate; D011899:Ranitidine; D001729:Bismuth