Fish oil (Eicosapen) is less effective than metronidazole, in combination with pantoprazole and clarithromycin, for Helicobacter pylori eradication

Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2001 Jun;15(6):851-5. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2036.2001.00989.x.

Abstract

Background: In vitro omega-3-fatty acids (Eicosapen) are bacteriostatic to Helicobacter pylori and have a variety of immuno-modulating effects.

Aim: To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of eicosapen (E) as an antibiotic-sparing component of a triple H. pylori eradication regimen in non-ulcer dyspepsia patients in a randomized, double-blind trial.

Methods: Non-ulcer dyspepsia patients (n=199), with a normal upper endoscopy and a positive (13)C-urea breath test (UBT) were randomly assigned to either pantoprazole, clarithromycin and metronidazole (PCM) or pantoprazole, clarithromycin and eicosapen (PCE) for 7 days. Four weeks after treatment, H. pylori eradication was determined by UBT. Symptoms were followed up to 16 months.

Results: In the intention-to-treat population, PCM eradicated infection in 78% but PCE was successful in only 34% (P < 0.001). Symptomatic improvement occurred in both groups, and was not related to H. pylori eradication.

Conclusion: Eicosapen is unlikely to be useful in H. pylori eradication regimens.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Benzimidazoles / administration & dosage
  • Benzimidazoles / pharmacology*
  • Clarithromycin / administration & dosage
  • Clarithromycin / pharmacology*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Dyspepsia / drug therapy*
  • Dyspepsia / microbiology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Fish Oils / administration & dosage
  • Fish Oils / pharmacology*
  • Helicobacter Infections / drug therapy*
  • Helicobacter Infections / pathology
  • Helicobacter pylori / isolation & purification
  • Helicobacter pylori / pathogenicity*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metronidazole / administration & dosage
  • Metronidazole / pharmacology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Omeprazole / analogs & derivatives
  • Pantoprazole
  • Sulfoxides / administration & dosage
  • Sulfoxides / pharmacology*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • 2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Benzimidazoles
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Fish Oils
  • Sulfoxides
  • Metronidazole
  • Pantoprazole
  • Clarithromycin
  • Omeprazole