The safety and efficacy of ranitidine bismuth citrate in combination with antibiotics for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori

Background: Ranitidine bismuth citrate is a novel salt of ranitidine and a bismuth citrate complex. It has intrinsic antisecretory and anti-Helicobacter pylori activity, but monotherapy rarely eradicates H. pylori infection in man. Aim: A pilot study to investigate rates of H. pylori eradication achieved by co-prescription of ranitidine bismuth citrate with antibiotics, and to identify several regimens which would merit further investigation. Method: One hundred dyspeptic patients infected with H. pylori were randomly allocated to treatment with ranitidine bismuth citrate 800 mg b.d. plus either amoxycillin, metronidazole, clarithromycin, cefuroxime axetil, tetracycline, tetracycline plus metronidazole or clarithromycin plus tetracycline for 14 days. Eradication of infection was assessed using the 13C-urea breath test 4 weeks after the end of treatment. Results: In a per protocol analysis eradication of H. pylori ranged between 22 and 100%; the intention-to-treat eradication rates ranged between 15 and 92%. No adverse events were specifically attributed to ranitidine bismuth citrate. Conclusion: Co-prescription therapy, using ranitidine bismuth citrate and one or more antibiotics, is suitable for further investigation in large-scale clinical trials in patients infected with H. pylori.