Dual therapy with lansoprazole and clarithromycin for eradication of Helicobacter pylori.

AIM: To evaluate the eradication of Helicobacter pylori by therapy with a combination of 60 mg lansoprazole and 800 mg clarithromycin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In an open therapeutic trial, 30 H. pylori-positive patients with active ulcer disease took 30 mg lansoprazole twice a day and 400 mg clarithromycin twice a day for the first 2 weeks, followed by 30 mg lansoprazole once a day for 4-6 weeks. Endoscopy was performed both before and at the end of therapy, and 4 weeks after the end of the therapy. H. pylori was detected by using a combination of smear, culture and tissue sections. RESULTS: Complete pain relief occurred within 3 days in all patients and all ulcers were healed by the end of the therapy. The H. pylori clearance rate was 83.3% and the eradication rate was 73.3%. A minor side effect (metallic taste) was reported by only one patient (3.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Therapy with a combination of 60 mg lansoprazole and 800 mg clarithromycin is efficacious in the eradication of H. pylori and has the advantage of a low incidence of side effects and quick pain relief for patients with active ulcers.