Vonoprazan-Amoxicillin Dual Therapy Proves Effective and Safe for Treating H. pylori in Elderly Patients

A recent real-world study evaluating the efficacy and safety of vonoprazan-amoxicillin (VA) dual therapy for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication in elderly patients has shown promising results, reinforcing its potential as a first-line or rescue treatment option.

Conducted at Peking University First Hospital, the retrospective study included 380 elderly patients aged 60 and above who received VA dual therapy (vonoprazan 20 mg twice daily and amoxicillin 1000 mg thrice daily for 14 days). The success of treatment was assessed using a 13C-urease breath test performed six weeks after the regimen.

Key findings include:
•    The eradication rate was 95.6% for those receiving VA dual therapy as a first-line treatment and 89.2% for those receiving it as a rescue treatment.
•    The overall adverse event (AE) rate was 9.5%, with a slightly higher rate in the rescue group (10.0%) compared to the first-line group (9.2%).
•    Treatment discontinuation due to AEs occurred in 1.3% of patients, and no serious AEs were reported.

The study concludes that VA dual therapy is both effective and safe for elderly patients, making it a viable option for treating H. pylori in this age group, whether as a first-line or rescue treatment.