SUSCEPTIBILITY OF HELICOBACTER-PYLORI TO SIMETHICONE AND OTHER NON-ANTIBIOTIC DRUGS

The antifoaming agent simethicone (Lefax), the protease inhibitor gabe xate mesilate (FOY), the antimycotic ketoconazole, and the hydroxyl sc avangers dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) and allopurinol were investigated f or growth inhibition of Helicobacter pylori and representative strains of other bacterial species. H. pylori were selectively inhibited by 6 4-128 mg/L of simethicone, 64-128 mg/L gabexate mesilate, and 16-64 mg /L ketoconazole. Dimethylsulphoxide and allopurinol showed no antibact erial effect at concentrations used therapeutically. It is concluded t hat gabexate mesilate, ketoconazole and, particularly, simethicone are candidates for treatment of H. pylori infection.