Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori, is a bacterium common in developing countries that can cause infection of the stomach and small intestine, peptic ulcers and stomach cancer. Treatment of H. pylori infections involves the administration of one or more types of medications to kill the bacteria and reduce the excess stomach acid caused by the infection.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are prescribed to kill the H. pylori bacteria. According to the National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse, some strains of H. pylori are resistant to commonly prescribed antibiotics, so ridding your system of the bacterium may be difficult. Antibiotics that are commonly prescribed include metronidazole, amoxicillin and tetracycline.
Proton Pump Inhibitors
Proton pump inhibitors are drugs that help to stop the production of excess stomach acid. They are commonly prescribed to those whose H. pylori infections have resulted in a peptic ulcer. According to the National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse, proton pump inhibitors are known to help promote healing of H. pylori infections, although they do not actually kill the bacteria themselves. Often administered along with antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors can help improve the effectiveness of antibiotics in ridding the body of the bacteria, according to the Mayo Clinic. Frequently administered proton pump inhibitors include omeprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole, lansoprazole and rabeprazole.
Histamine Receptor Blockers
Histamine receptor blockers, or H-2 blockers, are drugs that block the action of a substance called histamine that normally causes the release of stomach acid. Because they work differently than proton pump inhibitors, they may be used if proton pump inhibitors or other acid reducers have proved ineffective. According to the Mayo Clinic, ranitidine, cimetidine, nizatidine and famotidine are commonly prescribed histamine receptor blockers.
Bismuth Subsalicylate
Bismuth subsalicylate--commonly known as Pepto-Bismol--may help kill H. pylori bacteria. Taken orally, bismuth subsalicylate coats the lining of the stomach to reduce excess stomach acid and help relieve painful symptoms. According to the National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse, this medication is typically given in addition to--rather than in place of--antibiotics.
Triple and Quadruple Therapy
H. pylori infections often require treatment with multiple drugs. For example, a 14-day regimen of triple therapy with the two antibiotics amoxicillin and clarithromycin and an acid-reducing drug like omeprazole or lansoprazole has been shown to cure infection in greater than 95 percent of cases, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Quadruple therapy--composed of two antibiotics, such as tetracycline and metronidazole, and a proton pump inhibitor and bismuth subsalicylate--is another combination drug treatment alternative.
