Vitamin C does not improve the efficacy of Helicobacter pylori eradication in smokers

Purpose: To evaluate the hypothesis that vitamin C improves the efficacy of Helicobacter pylori eradication in smokers when combined with pantoprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin. Materials and methods: The study completed 90 subjects of 98 enrolled, 58 smokers 32 nonsmokers. Helicobacter pylori status was determined by two methods, CLO test, and histology. Vitamin C (500 mg) was administered three times daily. The patients were considered as cured of H. pylori if the CLO test result and histology were negative 4 weeks after completion of eradication therapy. Results: Smokers had lower effectiveness of eradication therapy than non-smokers and the administration of vitamin C had not affected the outcome of eradication therapy. Conclusions: Vitamin C (500 mg tid) does not improve the eradication therapy when pantoprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin were used.