RANITIDINE AND CLARITHROMYCIN ERADICATING HELICOBACTER-PYLORI IN PATIENTS WITH ULCUS-DUODENI

To compare the efficacy of ranitidine (CAS 66357-35-5, Sostril(R)) in combination with clarithromycin(CAS 81103-11-9, Cyllina(R)) against N. pylori, a controlled randomized double-blind study was carried out. F ourty duodenal ulcer patients were treated either with ranitidine 150 mg b.i.d and clarithromycin 500 mg q.i.d. (20 patients group 1) or ran itidine 300 mg q.i.d. and clarithromycin 500 mg q.i.d (20 patients, gr oup 2) for 14 days. Both treatment groups received art additional trea tment with ranitidine 300 mg daily for another 14 days. Endoscopy 6 we eks after the beginning of the trial showed complete ulcer healing in all patients. The control of H. pylori status clone by CLO (Campylobac ter-like organism) test and histology yielded an eradication rate of 8 4 % (group 2) and 61 % (group 1) in patients with duodenal ulcer disea se treated with ranitidine and clarithromycin. Whether higher suppress ion of gastric acidity with a higher close of ranitidine in combinatio n with the antibiotic clarithromycin presents clear advantages in erad ication of H. pylori should be investigated in further studies.