H. pylori eradication: new role for the pharmacist?

Abstract

Abstract The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) has published therapeutic position statements on a select group of disease states. The ASHP directors created an advisory body called the Commission on Therapeutics to be concerned with societal drug use and therapeutic issues. The ASHP therapeutic position statement on the identification and treatment of Helicobacter pylori-associated peptic ulcer disease in adults was developed by this organization after an extensive review of the available literature and consensus panel guidelines. The purpose of the article is to summarize testing options for identifying H. pylori infection, effective treatment regimens for eradicating H. pylori infection, and the role and impact of antimicrobial resistance, and to stress the importance of pharmacists’ involvement in identifying and treating patients with H. pylori-associated disease. The complexity of treatment regimens heightens the importance of patient education and monitoring to ensure compliance and optimal response to therapy. The article is divided into several sections, beginning with an informative background review of H. pylori infection including incidence, complications, and relationship to peptic ulcer disease. The first major topic addressed is testing for H. pylori infection. This section is followed by a review of six treatment regimens. The last two sections include a review of the impact of antimicrobial resistance and the role of the pharmacist as a resource in managing the H. pylori-infected patient.