Researchers have found that a short course of antibiotics could help reduce the risk of stomach ulcers caused by long-term aspirin treatment. The increased incidence of peptic ulcers is attributable to Helicobacter pylori . The study included 5357 patients aged 60 years and above who were taking aspirin (a daily dose of ≤325 mg with four or more 28-day courses in the past year) and had a positive C13 urea breath test. Participants received a combination of metronidazole 400 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg, and lansoprazole 30 mg.
The treatment group experienced a 65% drop in hospitalization due to peptic ulcers during the first 2.5 years. However, the effect of antibiotics diminished over time, possibly due to improved gastric acid secretion. The findings illustrate the importance of antibiotic-based H. pylori treatment for maintaining gastrointestinal health and improving the safety of…
