Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection with a combination of itraconazole and omeprazole

AIM: To determine the in vivo anti-microbial activity of a high-dose itraconazole and omeprazole regimen against Helicobacter pylori. METHODS: In an open pilot study, 10 H. pylori positive dyspeptic patients were treated with itraconazole 200 mg b.d. and omeprazole 200 mg b.d. for 7 days. Follow-up upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed 4-5 weeks after completion of therapy. Eradication of H. pylori infection was determined by histopathological examination and culture of biopsies from the antrum and corpus. RESULTS: Eradication was not observed in any patient. CONCLUSION: This combination of itraconazole with omeprazole does not eradicate H. pylori infection.