Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare efficacy and tolerability of 7-day standard triple therapy versus 7-day levofloxacin-based triple therapy in first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. METHODS: Three hundred consecutive H.pylori positive patients were randomized to receive: clarithromycin, amoxicillin, lansoprazole (Group A: n = 150); or amoxicillin, levofloxacin, lansoprazole (Group B: n = 150). H. pylori status was rechecked by (13)C-urea breath test 4 weeks after the end of therapy. RESULTS: The eradication rates in intention to treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) analyses were: Group A, 74.5% (111/149) and 78.2% (111/142); and Group B, 82.4% (122/148) and 83.0%(122/147). Although the eradication rate achieved with levofloxacin-based triple therapy was higher than that with standard therapies in either ITT or PP analysis, but no significantly difference was found between the two triple therapies. The incidence of side effects was similar among groups. CONCLUSIONS: A 7-day levofloxacin-based triple therapy can achieve higher H.pylori eradication rate than standard regimen. The levofloxacin-based regimen can be one effective therapy for the first-line anti-H.pylori treatment.