Dual versus triple therapy in eradication of Helicobacter pylori.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Duodenal ulcers should be treated by eradication of Helicobacter pylori. This study compared the efficacy of a proton pump inhibitor together with one or two antibiotics in eradication therapy. METHODOLOGY: 177 patients who were H. pylori positive were randomized to receive 14 days of either: lansoprazole 30 mg bd and amoxicillin 1 g bd (LA), omeprazole 20 mg bd and amoxicillin 1 g bd (OA) or lansoprazole 30 mg bd, amoxicillin 1 g bd and clarithromycin 500 mg bd (LAC). The efficacy was assessed at four weeks and at six months after the end of treatment. Biopsies were taken for culture and bacterial sensitivity testing at inclusion and at four weeks after the end of treatment. RESULTS: 149 patients were evaluated for efficacy. The eradication rate was significantly higher in LAC (96%) compared to LA (51%) and OA (64%) treatments (P < 0.001). At baseline 17%, 21% and 19% of the patients in the LA, OA and LAC groups, respectively, were resistant to metronidazole and only one patient was resistant to clarithromycin. Post-treatment, four patients had acquired metronidazole resistance. CONCLUSIONS: LAC is more effective than LA and OA for eradication of H. pylori in duodenal ulcer disease.

Rapid effect of lansoprazole on intragastric pH: a crossover comparison with omeprazole.

BACKGROUND: The time to onset of acid inhibition is considered an important factor when treating patients with reflux symptoms. This study was therefore designed to investigate the effect of 30 mg lansoprazole and 20 mg omeprazole on gastric pH after single-dose administration. METHODS: The study was of a randomized, open-label, single-dose and two-way crossover design with a washout period of at least 7 days in between. Fifteen healthy adult male and female subjects were included. The subjects were intubated with a pH catheter. Intragastric pH was measured every 4th sec for 10 min before and during 8 h after drug administration. Blood samples, for determination of plasma concentrations of lansoprazole and omeprazole, were obtained on 10 occasions during 6 h after drug administration. The area under the curve (AUC), the elimination halflife (t1/2), and the peak concentration (Cmax) of the two drugs were calculated. RESULTS: All subjects completed the study without major complications. The mean pH (0-8 h) after drug administration was 2.9 for lansoprazole and 2.0 for omeprazole (P = 0.0058). A pH of more than 4 was reached for the first time after 130 min with lansoprazole and after 250 min with omeprazole. AUC was 4919 +/- 2526 nmol/l x h for lansoprazole and 1352 +/- 1120 nmol/l x h for omeprazole. CONCLUSION: Single-dose administration of 30 mg lansoprazole is followed by a rapid absorption of the drug and hence a more efficient acid suppression than after single-dose administration of 20 mg omeprazole in healthy volunteers.

On-demand treatment in patients with oesophagitis and reflux symptoms: comparison of lansoprazole and omeprazole.

BACKGROUND: There are few data on how patients on maintenance treatment of reflux oesophagitis take their medication. This study was designed to investigate the dosing patterns of patients on on-demand treatment and to compare lansoprazole with omeprazole in this regard. METHODS: Patients with reflux oesophagitis, initially treated until absence of symptoms, took capsules of either lansoprazole (30 mg) or omeprazole (20 mg) for 6 months; they were instructed to take the medication only when reflux symptoms occurred. In order to document dosing patterns, the medication was dispensed in bottles supplied with a Medication Event Monitoring System recording date and time the bottles were opened. There were regular follow-up visits with assessment of symptoms. RESULTS: Three-hundred patients were eligible for analysis according to 'all patients treated'. A dosing pattern was found of an increased intake mornings and evenings and constant intervals between intakes. Although there was no correlation between oesophagitis grade or initial symptoms and the amount of medication consumed, the patients had significantly fewer reflux symptoms the more medication they consumed. There was no difference in the number of capsules consumed between the lansoprazole (0.73 capsules/day) and omeprazole groups (0.71 capsules/day). Nor was there any difference between the groups in reflux symptoms during the course of the study. CONCLUSION: Despite rigorous instructions to take medication on demand, the results suggest that it is patient habits more so than symptoms that determine the frequency and interval of medication intake. Symptoms are not therefore decisive for the amount of medication consumed.