Home Conditions Helicobacter pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori infection — guide.

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the gastric mucosa. It affects 30-50% of the population. It causes chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, and is a risk factor for gastric cancer and MALT lymphoma.

Also known as: helicobacter pylori H pylori stomach bacteria
4 recommended OTC drugs
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In short: Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that colonizes the stomach lining and can underlie chronic gastritis or peptic ulcer. Clearing it requires an antibiotic regimen prescribed by a doctor after testing; OTC products such as probiotics, Saccharomyces boulardii, lactoferrin or omeprazole only support digestive comfort and do not replace treatment. On HartaFarmacii you can compare the price of these OTC options across Dr. Max, Tei, Catena and HelpNet, with prices updated daily. This information is for guidance only and does not replace medical advice; seek help if signs of a complicated ulcer appear, such as black stools or vomiting blood.

Data verified on from public sources (OpenStreetMap, chain websites, ANM/MS) — updated daily.

OTC — adjuncts

What you can take alongside treatment

Informational only — HartaFarmacii is not an approved medical site. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. Don't self-medicate. Emergencies: 112.

When to seek urgent medical help

Any of these signs calls for prompt medical evaluation:

  • Complicated ulcer (hemorrhage, perforation)
  • Family history of gastric cancer
  • Suspected MALT lymphoma
  • Resistance to treatment
  • Persistent symptoms after eradication

What is Helicobacter pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori is a spiral-shaped, gram-negative bacterium adapted to survive in the acidic environment of the stomach, where it colonizes the gastric mucosa. It is one of the most widespread chronic infections, present in 30-50% of the population, usually acquired in childhood by the fecal-oral or oral-oral route. Many people remain asymptomatic for life, but the bacterium is the main cause of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer and is recognized as a carcinogen — an important risk factor for gastric cancer and MALT lymphoma. For this very reason, eradication is recommended whenever the infection is associated with disease.

Manifestations

Chronic gastritis (often asymptomatic), gastric or duodenal ulcer, functional dyspepsia, vitamin B12 deficiency, iron-deficiency anemia, and an increased risk of gastric cancer.

Diagnosis

Non-invasive: labeled urea breath test, stool antigen, IgG antibodies (for screening only). Invasive: endoscopic biopsy with rapid urease test or culture/PCR.

Treatment — Triple therapy for 14 days

  • PPI 20-40 mg x 2/day.
  • Amoxicillin 1000 mg x 2/day.
  • Clarithromycin 500 mg x 2/day.

For penicillin allergy — metronidazole instead of amoxicillin.

For treatment failure or resistance — bismuth quadruple therapy (bismuth subcitrate + metronidazole + tetracycline + PPI) for 10-14 days.

Eradication check

Breath test or stool antigen at 4-8 weeks after completing treatment (and after stopping the PPI 2 weeks beforehand).

Adjuvant OTC options with evidence

  • Bovine lactoferrin — synergistic antibacterial effect.
  • Probiotics (Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus) — reduce the adverse effects of antibiotics.
  • Broccoli extract/sulforaphane.
  • Manuka honey — mild antibacterial effect.

Medical disclaimer: the information in this guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. For diagnosis and treatment, consult a health professional.

Compared medicines

Medicines used for helicobacter pylori infection

This list is indicative, generated automatically from DCI/category matching. It is not a medical recommendation — consult your doctor before starting any treatment.

This list is not a medical recommendation. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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Medicine categories for helicobacter pylori infection

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for helicobacter pylori infection

Open the interactive map and grant location permission — you'll see pharmacies sorted by distance with their opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. For overnight or weekend trips, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-call ones. For helicobacter pylori infection some medicines need a prescription — make sure you have a valid one (electronic or paper) before you leave, to avoid wasted trips.

For chronic treatment, save your favourite pharmacy in the app and check prices on the comparator — OTC differences between chains can hit 20-40%, while CANAMED-capped Rx items have a fixed maximum but may carry promotions. If your treatment for helicobacter pylori infection runs on a monthly script, schedule pickup a few days before you run out.

Left untreated

Possible complications

See also

Related symptoms and conditions

Symptom

Indigestie

Indigestia (dispepsia) e disconfort în partea superioară a abdomenului — senzație de plin, balonare, grețuri, arsuri, durere epigastrică după masă.

 Symptom

Grețuri

Grețurile sunt senzația de iminentă vomă. Cauze: gastroenterite, migrenă, sarcină, rău de mișcare, medicamente, reflux, anxietate, afecțiuni vestibulare.

 Symptom

Arsuri la stomac

Arsurile la stomac (pirozis) = senzație de arsură retrosternală, urcând din epigastru spre gât. Cauza principală: reflux gastroesofagian. 20-40% din populație are episoade ocazionale.

 Condition

Ulcer gastric și duodenal

Ulcerul peptic = leziune pe mucoasa gastrică sau duodenală, adâncă peste muscularis mucosae. Cauze principale: Helicobacter pylori (80% ulcere duodenale, 60% gastrice) și AINS.

 Condition

Reflux gastroesofagian (GERD)

GERD = regurgitarea patologică a conținutului gastric în esofag, cu simptome și/sau complicații. Afectează 10-20% din populație. Netratat poate duce la esofagită, Barrett, cancer.

Frequently asked

What else would you like to know?

Should every H. pylori case be treated?
For peptic ulcer, MALT lymphoma, atrophic gastritis, family history of gastric cancer, functional dyspepsia — yes. For asymptomatic carriers — an individual discussion.
Can you get reinfected?
Rarely in adults — 1-2% per year. More common in children. Routine follow-up is not needed after verified eradication.
Is it contagious?
Transmission is fecal-oral or oral-oral. In families with one infected member, the others may be infected too. Testing of close relatives — individualized.
Do probiotics help?
Yes — they reduce the adverse effects of antibiotics (diarrhea, candidiasis) and may increase the eradication rate.

See also

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