What to expect from antibiotic treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection

H. pylori lives in the stomach lining, so treatment uses a combination rather than a single antibiotic. An acid-reducing medicine helps the stomach lining recover and supports the antibiotic plan. Nausea, loose stools, a bitter or metallic taste, abdominal discomfort, or tiredness can occur while taking the medicines. These effects often settle after the course ends, but an allergy needs prompt attention.

Take each medicine at the prescribed time and follow any food instructions on the label. Do not stop because symptoms improve; missed doses can make clearing the infection harder. Check before adding antacids, supplements, or another medicine, because interactions are possible. Avoid alcohol if your clinician or medicine leaflet advises this. A follow-up breath or stool test may be arranged after treatment to check that the infection has cleared.

Seek urgent help for swelling of the lips or face, wheezing, trouble breathing, faintness, or a widespread blistering rash. Contact your clinician promptly for severe or persistent vomiting, dehydration, intense abdominal pain, black stools, blood in vomit, or diarrhoea that is severe or continues after treatment. If symptoms remain, ask whether the treatment needs review rather than repeating antibiotics yourself.

Ask which tablets belong together, what to do after a missed dose, which medicines or foods to avoid, and when follow-up testing should happen. Tell the prescriber about previous antibiotic reactions, pregnancy, and all regular medicines.