Low- versus high-dose azithromycin triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection |
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| Authors: | Chey,Fisher,Barnett,Delvalle,Elta,Hasler,Nostrant,Palaniappan,& Scheiman |
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| Affiliation: | Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA |
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| Abstract: | Background We report a clinical trial which evaluated the effectiveness of triple therapy containing low- and high-dose azithromycin to treat Helicobacter pylori infection. Methods From March 1997 to March 1998, patients infected with H. pylori were assigned to receive either: Treatment 1: ranitidine bismuth citrate (RBC) (400 mg b.d.) and amoxycillin (1 g b.d.) for 10 days with azithromycin 500 mg o.m. for 3 days; or Treatment 2: RBC and amoxycillin for 10 days with azithromycin 1 g o.m. for 3 days. H. pylori eradication was established by a urea breath test at least 4 weeks after therapy. Side-effects and compliance were assessed using a diary. Results Sixty-eight patients were enrolled. Fifty-seven per cent of patients were treated for active peptic ulcer disease or a history of peptic ulcer disease. Treatment 1 cured H. pylori in 44% and 44% by per protocol and intention-to-treat analysis, respectively. The corresponding eradication rates for Treatment 2 were 79% and 75%. Two patients taking Treatment 2 dropped out of the study because of side-effects. Conclusions With RBC and amoxycillin for 10 days, azithromycin at a dose of 1 g/day for 3 days was significantly better at curing H. pylori infection than azithromycin 500 mg/day for 3 days. |
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