One‐week use of ranitidine bismuth citrate, amoxycillin and clarithromycin for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori‐related duodenal ulcer

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Abstract
Background: Proton pump inhibitors have been widely used in combination with amoxycillin, clarithromycin or metronidazole for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection. Aim: To study the effects of 1‐week ranitidine bismuth citrate (RBC)‐based triple therapy in the treatment of H. pylori‐related duodenal ulcers. Method: Patients with duodenal ulcers and H. pylori infection were prospectively randomized to receive either RBC with amoxycillin and clarithromycin for 1 week (RAC), or omeprazole with amoxycillin and clarithromycin for 1 week (OAC). No additional ulcer healing drug was used after the 1‐week medication. Patients were assessed for H. pylori eradication, ulcer healing and side‐effects after receiving the therapies. Results: One hundred consecutive patients were recruited to this study, with 50 patients randomized to each treatment group. In the intention‐to‐treat analysis, duodenal ulcers were completely healed in 45 (90%) patients in the RAC group and 43 (89.6%) in the OAC group (P = 1.0). H. pylori eradication was confirmed in 47 (94%) in the RAC group and 42 (87.5%) in the OAC group (P = 0.31). There was no significant difference in the severity of side‐effects experienced by the two treatment groups. Conclusion: One‐week RBC‐based triple therapy is an effective treatment for H. pylori‐related duodenal ulcers. The therapeutic effects are comparable to a 1‐week course of proton pump inhibitor‐based triple therapy.