INTRODUCTIONSeveral indications to eradicate Helicobacter pylori are now well established. 1, 2 However, the ideal regimens for the treatment of H. pylori infection have not yet been de®ned. The combination of metronidazole/tetracycline/ bismuth or metronidazole/clarithromycin/proton pump inhibitor are currently considered standard regimens for the treatment of H. pylori infection. 3±5 The eradication rates are higher than 80% if the H. pylori strains are sensitive to metronidazole. However, metronidazole resistance is a rising problem world-wide, particularly in developing countries, which limits the usefulness of this drug. 6±9 Furazolidone, a nitrofuran that has been in clinical use for over 30 years, has a favourable safety pro®le and is relatively inexpensive. It was used in China for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease long before H. pylori was discovered as an aetiological agent in this disease. 10,11 In the last decade, furazolidone has been found to be effective in the eradication of H. pylori, 12±14 SUMMARYBackground: A furazolidone-containing therapeutic regimen for Helicobacter pylori infection has attracted special interest in the face of a rising world-wide metronidazole resistant H. pylori, and the expense of currently used antimicrobial regimens. Aim: To evaluate the ef®cacy of furazolidone-containing regimens in eradicating H. pylori. Methods: One-hundred and forty H. pylori positive patients with endoscopically con®rmed duodenal ulcer or functional dyspepsia received one of four different regimens to eradicate H. pylori. In the ®rst trial, the patients were randomly assigned to receive a 1-week course of furazolidone 100 mg b.

Background: The metronidazole resistance of Helicobacter pylori strains has increased rapidly. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of new 1‐week regimens containing ranitidine bismuth citrate, furazolidone and either amoxicillin or tetracycline. Methods: One hundred and twenty patients with H. pylori‐positive inactive duodenal ulcer or non‐ulcer dyspepsia diagnosed by endoscopy were recruited randomly to receive one of two regimens for 7 days: ranitidine bismuth citrate, 350 mg b.d., furazolidone, 100 mg b.d., and either amoxicillin, 1000 mg b.d. (n=60), or tetracycline, 500 mg b.d. (n=60). H. pylori infection was identified by rapid urease testing and histology. 13C‐Urea breath test was performed to evaluate the cure of H. pylori infection at least 4 weeks after completion of triple therapy. Results: The eradication rates of H. pylori by ranitidine bismuth citrate–furazolidone–amoxicillin and ranitidine bismuth citrate–furazolidone–tetracycline regimens were 82% and 85% (P > 0.05), respectively, by intention‐to‐treat analysis, and 85% and 91% (P > 0.05), respectively, by per protocol analysis. Adverse effects were mild in both ranitidine bismuth citrate–furazolidone–amoxicillin and ranitidine bismuth citrate–furazolidone–tetracycline groups. Conclusions: One‐week regimens containing ranitidine bismuth citrate, furazolidone and amoxicillin or tetracycline are well tolerated and effective for the eradication of H. pylori.