To date there is no method which has proven 100% effective in eradicating H.pylori infection. The most useful therapies used today consist of multiple drugs (2-4) which are administered for 7-14 days. A variety of dual and triple therapies have received approval from the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and are in use currently. These include :
1) BISMUTH TRIPLE THERAPY: This therapy consists of tetracycline, bismuth, and metronidazole taken together for 14 days. Its efficacy rates range from 77-82%. Minor side effects occur in 30 - 50% of patients.
2) DUAL THERAPIES:
These therapies, while slightly less effective, are handled better by patients than the triple therapies. Despite being patient-friendly, triple therapies are much more commonly used in treating H. pylori infection.
Other therapies also utilize proton pump inhibitors, (PPI) as well as several other antimicrobials . Thus far the Bismuth triple therapies have proven most effective.
Patients seeking treatment must understand that the effectiveness of the therapy they are undergoing will only be most effective if they stick with the regimen. They must also understand the possibility that they are infected with a strain of H. pylori which is resistant to an antibiotic therapy they are trying. Therefore patients must be open to trying numerous therapies.
Diagnosis / Symptoms of Infection