What medications are used to treat Helicobacter pylori infection?
Generally, patients infected with Helicobacter pylori can follow medical advice to use medications such as Amoxicillin Capsules, Clarithromycin Tablets, Omeprazole Enteric-coated Capsules, Potassium Bicarbonate Citrate Capsules, and Metronidazole Tablets for treatment. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Amoxicillin Capsules
Amoxicillin is a penicillin-class antibiotic that exerts bactericidal effects by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis and demonstrates strong antibacterial activity against Helicobacter pylori. It is commonly used as a foundational antibiotic in the eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori, suitable for patients without penicillin allergy, and can effectively penetrate the gastric mucosal barrier to act on the bacteria.
2. Clarithromycin Tablets
This belongs to the macrolide class of antibiotics and achieves bacteriostatic effects by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, showing good efficacy against Helicobacter pylori. It is often used in combination with other medications for eradication therapy, particularly as an alternative option for patients allergic to penicillin. However, bacterial resistance may exist in certain regions.
3. Omeprazole Enteric-coated Capsules
This is a proton pump inhibitor that reduces gastric acid secretion by inhibiting the activity of proton pumps in gastric parietal cells, thereby increasing gastric pH. Although it does not directly kill Helicobacter pylori, it creates a favorable environment for antibiotics and enhances their antibacterial activity, making it an essential component of combination therapy.
4. Potassium Bicarbonate Citrate Capsules
This belongs to bismuth-containing agents, which form a protective film on the surface of gastric mucosa after oral administration and simultaneously inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori, enhancing the efficacy of antibiotics. It is commonly used in eradication therapy, especially when bacterial resistance rates are high, improving the success rate of eradication, and also promotes gastric mucosal repair.
5. Metronidazole Tablets
This is a nitroimidazole antimicrobial agent that exerts bactericidal effects by interfering with bacterial DNA synthesis and demonstrates efficacy against Helicobacter pylori. It is often used as an alternative antibiotic in combination therapy, suitable for cases involving resistance or allergy to other antibiotics. Alcohol consumption should be avoided during treatment and for a period after discontinuation.
Maintain good lifestyle habits in daily life, avoid consuming spicy, stimulating, raw, cold, or excessively hot foods such as chili peppers, ice-cold beverages, and hot pot, as these may irritate the gastric mucosa. Additionally, maintain dietary hygiene, avoid sharing eating utensils, and prevent cross-infection.