11th Lebanese Society of Gastroenterology Congress hails Lebanon introduction of latest treatment against H. pylori

"Until today, our treatment options against H. pylori in Lebanon were restricted to cocktails of 2-3 antibiotics which, over time, have given suboptimal results likely because of an increasing rate of resistance to some of the used antibiotics in the Lebanese population," said Professor Ala' Sharara, Head of the Division of Gastroenterology at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUB-MC).

"Doctors in Lebanon can now provide patients who need treatment for H. pylori infections with the globally recognized solution to antibiotic resistance consisting of a treatment combination called Bismuth-based quadruple therapy," said Dr. Salem Khoury, Head of Lebanese Society of Gastroenterology.

H. pylori infection affects as many as 50% of the Lebanese population at one point in their lives, according to AUB-MC studies on healthy blood donors and a large group of primary care physicians in Lebanon.

The new treatment option is being introduced in Lebanon for the first time under the name PYLERA (bismuth subcitrate potassium 140mg, metronidazole 125mg, and tetracycline hydrochloride 125mg). It aims to eradicate the H. pylori bacteria in 85-93% of infected individuals.

H. pylori, which causes 90% of ulcers, weakens the protective mucous coating of the stomach and an area in the intestines called the duodenum. This allows acid to get through to the sensitive lining beneath. Both the acid and the bacteria irritate the lining and cause a sore, or ulcer.

"We are pleased to be offering an innovative new treatment option for patients in Lebanon to help them treat Helicobacter pylori infections and duodenal ulcer disease," explained Joe Henein, President and Chief Executive Officer of NewBridge Pharmaceuticals which is introducing PYLERA to the country.

For nearly 100 years, scientists and doctors falsely thought that ulcers were caused by stress, spicy food, and alcohol. Treatment involved bed rest and a bland diet. Later, researchers added stomach acid to the list of causes and began treating ulcers with antacids. The H. pylori bacteria was discovered in 1982 and has since been a key focus of eradication efforts. No vaccine against it yet exists.