LANSOPRAZOLE PLUS CLARITHROMYCIN: EVALUATION OF A NEW DUAL THERAPY FOR Helicobacter pylori ERADICATION

SUMMARY The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lansoprazole plus clarithromycin for eradication of Helicobacter pylori. A total of 26 patients with H. pylori infection were randomised to receive clarithromycin, 500 mg t.i.d. for 14 days, plus either lansoprazole, 30 mg o.m., (group L30, n=13) or lansoprazole, 30 mg b.i.d., (group L60, n=13). H. pylori status was determined pre‐treatment and four to six weeks after completion of the study medication by histology and 13 C‐urea breath test. Two patients were unable to complete the course of medication. Of the remaining 24 patients, 14 (58%) successfully eradicated H. pylori — 8/12 (67%) patients in group L30 and 6/12 (50%) in group L60. Side‐effects were experienced by 17/26 (65%) of patients, most commonly a taste disturbance. The results from this pilot study suggest that dual therapy with lansoprazole plus clarithromycin is only a moderately effective regimen for eradicating H. pylori .