Low efficacy of an ultra-short term, once-daily dose triple therapy with omeprazole, azithromycin, and secnidazole for Helicobacter pylori eradication in peptic ulcer.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the eradication rate of an ultra-short treatment schedule for Helicobacter pylori infection in a population with peptic ulcers, using omeprazole, secnidazole, and azithromycin in a once-daily dose for 3 days.


METHODS
Thirty patients with peptic ulcer diagnosed by upper endoscopy and for Helicobacter pylori infection by rapid urease test and histologic examination received omeprazole 40 mg, secnidazole 1000 mg, and azithromycin 500 mg, administered once daily for 3 days. A follow-up exam was performed 12 weeks after the end of the treatment. Patients who were negative for Helicobacter pylori infection by rapid urease test and histologic examination were considered cured.


RESULTS
Patients were predominantly female, and the mean age was 50 years. Duodenal peptic ulcer was found in 73% of the patients. Eradication was achieved in 9 of the 28 (32%) patients as determined from the follow-up endoscopic exam. The eradication rate by intention to treat was 30%. Side effects were present in 3% of the patients, and compliance to treatment was total.


CONCLUSIONS
In spite of the low rate of side effects and good compliance, the eradication index was low. A possible drawback of this therapy is that it reduces the efficacy of macrolide and nitroimidazole compounds in subsequent treatments.
Silva
Fernando Marcuz
FM
Department of Clinical Gastroenterology, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo.
Eisig
Jaime Natan
JN
Chehter
Ethel Zimberg
EZ
da Silva
Júlio Jovino
JJ
Laudanna
Antonio Atílio
AA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D008795:Metronidazole; D017963:Azithromycin; D009853:Omeprazole; C016724:secnidazole