Aim: The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of 1‐week triple therapy regimens for Helicobacter pylori. Methods: In two consecutive series, 120 patients with proven H. pylori infection and peptic ulcer disease or functional dyspepsia were treated with either omeprazole 20 mg b.d., amoxycillin 1 g b.d. and clarithromycin 250 mg b.d. (OAC; n=60) or with omeprazole 20 mg b.d., amoxycillin 1 g b.d. and metronidazole 400 mg b.d. over 1 week (OAM; n=60). H. pylori infection was assessed by rapid urease test, culture and histology before and 4 weeks after cessation of the eradication therapy. Results: H. pylori eradication succeeded in 53 out of 60 patients by omeprazole–amoxycillin–clarithromycin (OAC) (88%; 95% CI 77–95%) and in 47 out of 60 patients by omeprazole–amoxycillin–metronidazole (OAM) (78%; 95% CI 66–88%) (P=0.22). Nine patients of each group available for follow‐up reported adverse events (15.0 and 15.5%, respectively) without necessity of discontinuation of the study medications. Serious adverse events were not observed. Conclusions: Simple and convenient 1‐week triple therapies consisting of omeprazole, amoxycillin and either clarithromycin or metronidazole are sufficiently effective in eradicating H. pylori infection.