Comparison of three triple regimens with omeprazole or ranitidine bismuth citrate for Helicobacter pylori eradication.
BACKGROUND
Regimens with ranitidine bismuth citrate (RBC) or omeprazole (O) are effective in eradicating Helicobacter pylori. This randomized, open, multicentre trial compares three different regimens with these drugs.


METHODS
Consecutive H. pylori +ve outpatients were included. The alternative regimens were: 1) O 20 mg, clarithromycin (C) 250 mg and metronidazole (M) 500 mg (O.C.M), 2) RBC 400 mg, C 250 mg and M 500 mg (RBC.C.M), 3) RBC 400 mg, tetracycline (T) 1000 mg and M 500 mg [RBC.T.M]. All drugs were given twice daily for 7 days. H. pylori infection was assessed with H. pylori urea breath tests.


RESULTS
426 H. pylori +ve patients were included (mean age 58 years [range 18-88], male/female: 244/182). The eradication rates (intention to treat) in the O.C.M, RBC.C.M and RBC.T.M groups were 117/137 (85%), 141/146 (97%) and 117/143 (82%), respectively (P < 0.001, overall assessment). There were no significant differences in side effects between the alternatives.


CONCLUSIONS
In this trial, RBC.C.M was the most effective one, it was well tolerated and compliance was satisfactory. RBC.T.M is an alternative to regimens with clarithromycin.
Farup
P G
PG
Unit for Applied Clinical Research, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. Per.Farup@medisin.ntnu.no
Tholfsen
J
J
Wetternus
S
S
Torp
R
R
Høie
O
O
Lange
O J
OJ
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001729:Bismuth / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011899:Ranitidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D008795:Metronidazole; C073340:ranitidine bismuth citrate; D011899:Ranitidine; D013752:Tetracycline; D017291:Clarithromycin; D009853:Omeprazole; D001729:Bismuth