What is the treatment for h pylori?!
Question:
What is the treatment for h pylori?
Answers:
• The primary goal of therapy for ulcers caused by H. pylori is to eradicate or destroy the bacteria.
• To date, the most effective therapy for H. pylori are the three-drug regimens and four-drug regimens--specifically those regimens that contain a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) plus two antibiotics--since cure rates are typically higher with these therapies. Two-drug regimens tend to have a lower cure rate and should not be used, and four-drug regimens, while very effective, are more complicated to take. Therefore, a three-drug regimen or possibly a pre-packaged, combination product is recommended as the most effective means of treating ulcers caused by H. pylori.
• Combination products such as Helidac, Prevpac, and Pylera are effective in treating H. pylori-induced ulcers. Use of these products may help improve compliance with the treatment regimens but they are also more expensive treatment options. Additionally, no head-to-head trials have been performed between these comparative products to determine if one is superior to the other in terms of improving compliance or in curing the H. pylori infection.
• Generally, you want to take a treatment regimen that provides at least an 80% cure rate (or eradication rate). The most effective treatment regimen contains a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), plus clarithromycin and either amoxicillin or metronidazole.
• The duration of therapy needed is still controversial. Some doctors favor a 7-day treatment regimen while others favor a 10- to 14-day treatment regimen. The shorter treatment duration may enhance compliance (which is important when treating a bacterial infection), but the longer treatment duration may have greater success in curing the infection (especially in persons who are compliant with taking their medications). If the first treatment attempt was not successful, a 14-day treatment duration is needed. The American College of Gastroenterology recommends a 14-day treatment duration.
• The four-drug regimen consisting of a PPI, bismuth, metronidazole, and tetracycline (all taken for 2 weeks) is also highly effective. For more information on the cure rates of specific regimens, see:
http://www.drugdigest.org/dd/comparison/...