Background/Aims : To assess the safety and the efficacy of the combined therapy of ranitidine bismuth citrate (RBC) with clarithromycin on the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and the healing of duodenal ulcer, we performed this study. The combined therapy of RBC 400 mg and clarithromycin 500 mg was indicated to be taken
twice daily.
Methods : Eighty-two patients with active duodenal ulcer were confirmed to have H. pylori infection. This was an open, non-comparative, multicentre study. After 2-weeks treatment with RBC and clarithromycin, RBC alone was administered for following 2 weeks. Ulcer status was assessed by endoscopy at the beginning and the end of treatment. H. pylori status was assessed by CLO test and histological test at the beginning and 4 weeks after the completion of treatment. At the beginning, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after the start of treatment, ulcer symptoms were recorded on a scale of
absent, mild, moderate or severe.
Results : Fifty-seven patients underwent an evaluable CLO test and histological test 4 weeks after the completion of treatment. The eradication rates of H. pylori was 70.2% (40/57) in the combined therapy of RBC plus clarithromycin. Ulcer healing rates at the end of treatment and 4-6 weeks after the completion of treatment were 88.2% (60.68) and 89.5% (51/57), respectively.
Conclusion : The coadministration of RBC and clarithromycin is a simple, well-tolerated and effective treatment for active H. pylori-associated duodenal ulcer disease.
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