CLARITHROMYCIN AMOXICILLIN THERAPY FOR HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION

Background: More convenient therapies are needed to treat Helicobacter pylori infection successfully. Clarithromycin and amoxycillin are eff ective against H. pylori both in vivo and in vitro. Recent success wit h a high dose amoxycillin-metronidazole combination therapy led us to evaluate clarithromycin-amoxycillin dual therapy for H. pylori infecti on. Methods: We tested the combination of clarithromycin 500 mg t.d.s. with meals plus amoxycillin 750 mg t.d.s. with meals for 10 days for its effect on H. pylori infection in 29 patients with documented H. py lori peptic ulcers. There were 27 men and 2 women, ranging in age from 23 to 77 years. H. pylori and ulcer status were evaluated at entry an d at least 4 weeks after ending antimicrobial therapy. For ulcer heali ng, ranitidine 300 mg was given each evening for 6 weeks. H. pylori st atus was determined by CLOtest and histology. Results: H. pylori infec tion was cured in 86% (95% CI = 78-99%). Compliance averaged 93% by pi ll count. Ten patients (34%) experienced mild side effects: eight repo rted dysgeusia and two had mild diarrhoea; none discontinued therapy b ecause of side effects. Conclusion: We conclude that dual therapy with clarithromycin and amoxycillin is a safe and effective alternative re gimen for the successful treatment of H. pylori infections.