Dose-response of omeprazole combined with amoxycillin on duodenal ulcer healing and eradication of Helicobacter pylori.

BACKGROUND: Combination therapy using omeprazole and amoxycillin can cure Helicobacter pylori infection, but data are controversial concerning the efficacy of this regimen. The present study investigated varying doses of omeprazole combined with a standard amoxycillin dose on duodenal ulcer healing and eradication of H. pylori, in order to find an optimal dose regimen. METHODS: H. pylori-positive out-patients (n = 231) with duodenal ulcers were treated randomly and double-blind with either omeprazole 20, 40 or 80 mg b.d. plus amoxycillin 1 g b.d. for 14 days. Patients with an unhealed ulcer after this therapy took omeprazole 20 mg o.m. for another month. RESULTS: After 2 weeks, ulcer healing rates in the three treatment groups were not statistically different (85, 82 and 93%, respectively). Treatment with omeprazole 80 mg b.d. was significantly better in curing H. pylori infection (eradication rate 69%) than treatment with omeprazole 20 and 40 mg b.d. (47 and 53%). CONCLUSIONS: Combination of either omeprazole 20 or 40 mg b.d. plus amoxycillin 1 g b.d., is not sufficiently effective to be recommended as an anti-H. pylori therapy. Omeprazole 80 mg b.d. combined with amoxycillin is more efficient and well tolerated, but better treatment options now exist to cure H. pylori infection.