According an observational multicenter study issued in ‘Journal of Clinical Medicine’, a 14-day concomitant therapy was found to be very effective and well tolerated for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in primary care.

Hp infection causes numerous gastric disorders- dyspepsia and peptic ulcer disease to fatal tumors such as gastric carcinoma, to name a few!

The study researchers evaluated the efficacy of concomitant therapy for 14 days as a practical first-line treatment for Hp infection in primary care. The pre and post treatment infection status was assessed as per the local clinical practice procedure. The 14-day concomitant comprised of: amoxicillin 1 g, clarithromycin 500 mg and metronidazole 500 mg as well as omeprazole 20 mg, all administered two times in a day.

A total of 112 patients with a mean age of 46.7 ± 16.1 years were registered. Uninvestigated dyspepsia (83%), functional dyspepsia (12.5%) and peptic ulcer (3.5%) were the key indications for treatment. Hundred out of 112 patients achieved Hp eradication rates: 89.3% by intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis and 91.7% per protocol (PP), figure 1. 

Figure 1: Hp eradication rates by ITT and PP.

With no major side effects observed; 104 (92.8%) patients finished the therapy. Incidences of nausea and metallic taste (mild side effects) were reported by 47 patients. Poor adherence to treatment and notable adverse events were the variables linked with failure of treatment.