Helicobacter Forums

How long do you have to be off Nexium before you can have this done? Also does taking Pepto Bismol affect the test?

you need to be clear from any medication for at least a month before the breath test.

the Bismol will reduce the bacterial load and hence give a false negative result.

Hello !
I have been treating H Pylory with the following medicines:

1. AZITHROMYCIN - (AZIMAC) - antibiotic from the macrolides group - 8 days
2. MOXIFLOXACIN - antibacterial (Moksin) - 8 days
3. BISMUTHATE, TRIPOTASSIUM DICITRATO - De Nol - 15 days
4. Neoprazol - this is proton pump inhibitor - 60 days
5. Domperidone - (Norpresdon) - 60 days
6. rebamipide - (Mukogen) - 30 days

Currently on my 24th day of my treatment e.g. I am only taking medicines - 4, 5 and 6 as described above. My doctor says that I can already make a repeated Breath Urea Test on H Pylori. I am not sure whether he is right or not.

Can you tell me how much time should be passed breath test to show the actual situation, based on the above ?
As far as I have learnt from the internet 4 weeks should be passed from taking the above mentioned medicines # 1,2,3 and 2 weeks from taking medicine #4. As I was told #5 & 6 medicines don't have any effect on thebreath test - is it right ?

Looking forward to the help of competent person in this area.
Thank you in advance !

yup. #4 and #5 should be fine for the breath test.

nevertheless, breath test is not a cheap test. it is better to wait a little longer (4 weeks) after stopping your PPI before your breath test.

the breath test rely on two things:
1. the bacteria load.
2. the acidic environment to stimulate H. pylori to produce an enzyme, urease.

if there is any trace of PPI, the acid production will be suppressed. then H. pylori will not produce any urease enzyme. hence, negative breath test.

Thank you very much !