H. pylori infection

When you’re looking at an H. pylori infection, you want to inhibit the HCl so the PPIs are the best. The H2 antagonists were displaced because of the potency of the PPIs. Initially bismuth ion was introduced as a colloidal, and it didn’t help irradicate H. pylori. Flagyl was tried as a regiment against H. pylori, but wasn’t good. The most common antibiotic now used with a PPI is Clarithromycin, although the original protocols indicated amoxicillin or tetracycline. Some Kaiser physicians don’t have the luxury of writing a combination prescription, so will prescribe one or two drugs along with a PPI. Today though, many of the companies combine an antibiotic with a PPI in a so-called pack – I think the best selling regimen is called Z-pack, which is azithromycin plus a PPI.

Category: Pharmacology Notes