Azithromycin in one week quadruple therapy for H pylori eradication in Iran.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate eradication rates, patient compliance and tolerability of a 1-wk Azithromycin-based quadruple therapy versus the 2-wk conventional therapy.


METHODS
A total of 129 H pylori-positive patients were randomized to either omeprazole 20 mg, bismuth subcitrate 240 mg, azithromycin 250 mg, and metronidazole 500 mg, all twice daily for 1-wk (B-OAzM) or omeprazole 20 mg, bismuth subcitrate 240 mg, amoxicillin 1 g, and metronidazole 500 mg all twice daily for 2-wk (B-OAM). H pylori infection was defined at entry by histology and rapid urease test and cure of infection was determined by negative urea breath test.


RESULTS
H pylori eradication rates produced by B-OAzM and B-OAM were 74.1% and 70.4% respectively based on an intention to treat analysis, and 78.1% versus 75.7% respectively based on a per-protocol analysis. The incidence of poor compliance was lower, although not significantly so, in patients randomized to B-OAzM than for B-OAM (3.5% versus 4.3%) but intolerability was similar in the two groups ( 35% versus 33.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
1-wk azithromycin based quadruple regimen achieves an H pylori eradication rate comparable to that of standard 2-wk quadruple therapy, and is associated with comparable patient compliance and complications.
Mousavi
Shahrokh
S
Semnan Gastrointestinal and Liver diseases Research Center, Department of gastroenterology, Fatemieh Hospital, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran. shahrokhmousavi@yahoo.com
Toussy
Jafar
J
Yaghmaie
Siamak
S
Zahmatkesh
Mehrdad
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010349:Patient Compliance
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D008795:Metronidazole; D000658:Amoxicillin; D017963:Azithromycin; C002791:bismuth tripotassium dicitrate; D009853:Omeprazole