Efficacy of Clarithromycin Containing Bismuth–Based Regimen as a Second-Line Therapy in Helicobacter Pylori Eradication

BACKGROUND The eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection, commonly prevailing in the stomach, has been important since its introduction. Adequate preparations should be made in finding alternatives when faced with first-line treatment failures. Currently, ideal second-line treatments are indistinct and varied among countries as result of different antibiotic resistance patterns. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a clarithromycin-containing bismuth-based quadruple regimen as a second-line treatment. METHODS Forty-eight H.pylori-positive patients with proven gastric or duodenal ulcers and/or erosions who had previously failed to respond to furazolidone-containing regimens were enrolled. They received pantoprazole (40 mg-bid), amoxicillin (1gr-bid), bismuth subcitrate (240 mg-bid), and clarithromycin (500mg-bid) for 10 days. Eight weeks after treatment, a (14)C-urea breath test was performed for the re-evaluation of H. pylori eradication. RESULTS Forty-three patients completed the study. H.pylori eradication rates were 79.2% (95% CI=65.00-89.53) and 88.4% (95% CI=74.91-96.11) according to intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses, respectively. All patients had excellent compliance to treatment and one did not continue therapy because of adverse effects. CONCLUSION In developing countries such as Iran, a ten-day clarithromycin-containing bismuth-based quadruple regimen is encouraged as a second-line treatment because of the acceptable rate of eradication and low adverse effects.