Omeprazole, clarithromycin and furazolidone for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori in patients with duodenal ulcer

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of omeprazole plus clarithromycin and furazolidone in Helicobacter pylori eradication and duodenal ulcer healing in Brazilian patients. Methods: Forty H. pylori-positive patients with duodenal ulcer were randomized to receive 20 mg omeprazole o.m. or b.d. for 1 month plus 500 mg clarithromycin (b.d.) and 200 mg furazolidone (b.d.) for 1 week. Results: Three months after the end of the treatment the eradication rates were 90% by intention-to-treat analysis, and 97% by per protocol analysis. Mild side-effects were observed in 25 patients, none of whom abandoned the protocol. No difference was observed between the 20 mg and 40 mg omeprazole daily doses. Cure or significant improvement of the symptoms and of the histological alterations were observed after H. pylori eradication. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that clarithromycin and furazolidone in combination with omeprazole are a good alternative for H. pylori eradication in Brazilian patients with duodenal ulcer.