Use of a combination formulation of bismuth, metronidazole and tetracycline with omeprazole as a rescue therapy for eradication of Helicobacter pylori

• Published in: Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics Vol. 40; no. 2; pp. 171 - 177
• Main Authors: Delchier, J. C., Malfertheiner, P., Thieroff‐Ekerdt, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Blackwell 01.07.2014
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents - administration & dosage; Anti-Bacterial Agents - adverse effects; Anti-Ulcer Agents - administration & dosage; Anti-Ulcer Agents - adverse effects; Bacterial diseases; Bacterial diseases of the digestive system and abdomen; Biological and medical sciences; Breath Tests; Drug Combinations; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Helicobacter Infections - diagnosis; Helicobacter Infections - drug therapy; Helicobacter Infections - metabolism; Helicobacter pylori; Human bacterial diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Metronidazole - administration & dosage; Metronidazole - adverse effects; Middle Aged; Omeprazole - administration & dosage; Omeprazole - adverse effects; Organometallic Compounds - administration & dosage; Organometallic Compounds - adverse effects; Tetracycline - administration & dosage; Tetracycline - adverse effects; Treatment Outcome; Urea - metabolism; Young Adult; Nitro compound; Imidazole derivatives; H; Spirillaceae; Antiulcer agent; K; Eradication; Proton pump inhibitor; Antiprotozoal agent; Antifungal agent; Helicobacter pylori; Antisecretory agent; Formulation; Bacteria; Protein synthesis inhibitor; Spirillales; Enzyme; Tetracycline derivatives; Enzyme inhibitor; Tetracycline; Infection; Omeprazole; Antibiotic; Benzimidazole derivatives; Bacteriosis; exchanging ATPase; Hydrolases; Parasiticide; Metronidazole; Salvage treatment; Antibacterial agent
• ISSN: 0269-2813; 1365-2036; 1365-2036
• DOI: 10.1111/apt.12808

Summary Background Helicobacter pylori infection occurs in children and adults worldwide. Standard triple therapy of omeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin (OAC) may not be optimal. Aim To evaluate quadruple therapy with bismuth subcitrate potassium, metronidazole and tetracycline hydrochloride, given with omeprazole in H. pylori infected subjects who failed previous OAC eradication therapy. Methods This was a multicenter, open‐label, single‐arm, multinational study. Helicobacter pylori‐positive subjects who had failed ≥1 previous course of OAC therapy with or without up to three supplemental treatments in the previous year. Subjects were treated for 10 days with a combination formulation containing bismuth subcitrate potassium 140 mg, tetracycline hydrochloride 125 mg, and metronidazole 125 mg, three capsules four times daily (q.d.s.), and omeprazole 20 mg twice daily (b.d.). The primary endpoint was H. pylori eradication rate defined as one negative 13C‐urea breath test ≥28 days post‐treatment. Results Helicobacter pylori eradication rates ranged from 93.2% to 93.8% in the intent‐to‐treat population (n = 49), and from 94.7% to 95.0% in the PP population (n = 40). No clinically meaningful differences were observed when analysed by country. Metronidazole resistance was observed in 16/49 (32.7%) subjects and clarithromycin resistance in 31/49 (63.3%) subjects. Thirty‐three subjects (67.3%) reported 87 adverse events, and only one (2%) discontinued the study for an adverse event. Conclusions A quadruple regimen of bismuth, metronidazole and tetracycline plus omeprazole produces a high eradication rate in subjects previously failing H. pylori eradication regimens. This bismuth‐based regimen offers an effective option as rescue therapy.