K. West:

Data over the last five years or so supports the theory that the bacteria:
Helicobacter Pylori plays a role in some ulcer disease.  Whether the bacteria
actually causes the ulcer or makes more difficult to get rid of the ulcer is
less clear.  These data suggest that in patients who test positive for H.
Pylori,  treatment with antibiotics makes it less likely for the ulcer to
come back.  Many patients with proven ulcers do not have H pylori and do not
need antibiotic treatment.  Also just because someone has heartburn,
indigestion, reflux does NOT mean they have an ulcer.  There is NO evidence
to suggest that people with "ulcer symptoms" and proven H. Pylori but no
actual proven ulcer will benefit from antibiotic treatment.

The most current treatment for H. pylori  (and there is a new recommendation
almost every week) with the highest success rate is Amoxicillin 1000mg twice
a day for seven days, metronidazole 500 mgs twice a week for three days (days
5-7),  peptobismol two tabs four times a day for seven days and Prilosec or
Prevacid twice a day for seven days followed by one a day for about six more
weeks.  Treatment with Biaxin (mentioned in a previous post), while popular,
has a lower eradication rate for H. pylori

I have specifically NOT commented on the safety of such treatment during
breast feeding  and I leave such opinions to the experts in the field.

Sincerely,
Peter Salomon, MD