A recent study published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding evaluated the efficacy and safety of a compounded levofloxacin triple therapy as a second or third-line treatment regimen for Helicobacter pylori infection. This study included 93 patients (57% females, with a mean age of 44 years) referred after first or subsequent treatment failures; these patients were prescribed compounded levofloxacin 500 mg, amoxicillin 1 g, and esomeprazole 40 mg, twice daily, for 10 days. Eradication success was determined by 14C-urea breath test or histology at least 4 weeks after completion of therapy. The findings showed that the most common indication for treatment was dyspepsia or risk reduction (84%). Helicobacter pylori eradication was achieved in 89.2% patients per protocol, and in 79.6% on an intention-to-treat basis. While outcome was independent of gender, ethnicity, treatment indication or number. Moreover, treatment was well tolerated, with minor adverse events in 8.4%; only one patient discontinued therapy. Thus, it was concluded that compounded levofloxacin triple therapy is an effective and safe second line treatment for H. pylori, with eradication rates comparable to standard levofloxacin-based regimens.¹

Reference

1. Mah XJ, Gupta V, Loch SN, Ahlenstiel G, Poorten DV. Compounded Levofloxacin Triple Therapy is Safe and Effective for Refractory Helicobacter pylori. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding. 2017;21(4):330-3.