Background: Rabeprazole sodium is a proton pump inhibitor.
Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 1-week triple therapy with rabeprazole, amoxycillin and clarithromycin for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori.
Methods: A total of 100 subjects with H. pylori were randomly divided into two groups of 1-week triple therapy with rabeprazole 10 mg b.d., amoxycillin 750 mg b.d. and either clarithromycin 200 mg b.d. (RAC400, n=50) or clarithromycin 400 mg b. d. (RAC800, n=50). Endoscopic examination with four biopsies (two specimens from the antrum and two from the gastric body) was performed. The status of H. pylori infection was determined using culture and histology (Giemsa stain) of the biopsy specimens. Sensitivity to clarithromycin was determined using the E-test: MIC > 8 g/mL was considered to be resistant, whereas MIC < 2 g/mL was considered to be sensitive. Cure was defined as no evidence of H. pylori infection 1 month after completion of treatment.
Results: There were no significant differences in the clinical characteristics of the two groups. Eradication rates (intention-to-treat and per protocol, respectively) were: RAC400: 86% (95% CI: 76-95%) and 89% (95% CI: 80-97%); RAC800: 94% (95% CI: 87-100%) and 97% (95% CI: 94-100%). There was no significant difference between the eradication rates of either regimen. Three subjects with failed eradication in the RAC400 group were all infected with a clarithromycin-resistant strain before beginning the therapy. Haemorrhagic colitis was the only severe adverse event, which was observed in one patient in the RAC800 group.
Conclusion: One-week triple therapy with rabeprazole, amoxycillin and low-dose clarithromycin is effective for the eradication of H. pylori infection.