Comparison of the efficacy and safety of different formulations of omeprazole-based triple therapies in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori-positive peptic ulcer

Little is known about the efficacy and safety of different formulations of omeprazole-based triple therapy regimens for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori-positive peptic ulcer. We compared the efficacy and safety of two formulations of omeprazole used in triple therapies in patients with H. pylori-positive active peptic ulcer. Seventy-four patients with endoscopically proven H. pylori-positive active peptic ulcer were randomized to two groups, each with 37 patients, to receive either OAC-I (6 weeks of "A" formulation of omeprazole [20mg twice daily] plus 2 weeks of amoxicillin [1.0g twice daily] and clarithromycin [500mg twice daily] or OAC-II (6 weeks of "B" formulation of omeprazole [20mg twice daily] plus 2 weeks of the same antibiotics. The H. pylori and ulcer healing status were assessed at the baseline and at the 6-week endpoint of therapy. Gastrointestinal symptoms, documentation of adverse events, and standard laboratory examinations were assessed at each visit. Eradication of H. pylori (intention to treat [n = 74]/per protocol [n = 66]) and healing of the ulcer were successful in 83.8%/96.9% and 93.8%, respectively, of the OAC-I group patients, and in 91.9%/100% and 97.1%, respectively, of the OAC-II group patients (P = 0.477; P = 0.608). The OAC-I group experienced rapid resolution of symptoms, but no significant differences were found between the two groups for number of days taken for resolution of gastrointestinal symptoms, adverse events, and laboratory findings. The two different formulations of omeprazole used in triple therapy regimens produced similar efficacy and safety results after 6 weeks of treatment in patients with H. pylori-positive active peptic ulcer.