Pylotrip kit 14s

What Is PYLOTRIP KIT?

Pylotrip Kit is a 14-day triple therapy eradication kit designed specifically to eliminate Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a bacterial infection of the stomach lining that is one of the most common causes of peptic ulcers, chronic gastritis, and, in the long term, increased risk of stomach cancer.

The kit combines two antibiotics, Amoxicillin (which disrupts H. pylori's cell wall) and Clarithromycin (which stops bacterial protein production), with Lansoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that reduces stomach acid.

The PPI is not just for symptom relief; reducing stomach acid actually creates a more favourable environment for the antibiotics to work and significantly increases the rate of bacterial eradication. All three medicines are taken together, twice daily, for 14 days.

What Is It Used For?

Pylotrip Kit is prescribed for any patient in whom H. pylori infection has been confirmed by a diagnostic test (breath test, stool antigen test, or gastric biopsy) and who has peptic ulcer disease (stomach or duodenal ulcer), chronic active gastritis, or in some cases, early-stage gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma.

In Kenya, H. pylori infection is widespread, affecting a large proportion of the adult population, and is a leading cause of the stomach pain, bloating, nausea, and ulcers that bring many patients to hospital.

Successful eradication with Pylotrip heals ulcers, relieves symptoms, and dramatically reduces the risk of ulcer recurrence, moving from a 70–80% annual relapse rate without treatment to under 5% after successful eradication.

Dose

All three medicines (Amoxicillin 1000mg + Clarithromycin 500mg + Lansoprazole 30mg) are taken TWICE daily, morning and evening, for 14 days.

With Food

Take Lansoprazole 30 minutes before a meal. Amoxicillin and Clarithromycin may be taken with or just after food to reduce stomach side effects.

Complete the Full 14 Days

Never stop early, incomplete courses are the most common cause of H. pylori treatment failure and antibiotic resistance. Complete all 14 days even if you feel better.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Never double up.

Confirm Eradication

A breath test or stool antigen test should be performed at least 4 weeks after completing the course to confirm successful eradication.

Common Side Effects

·       Diarrhoea or loose stools (very common, Amoxicillin and Clarithromycin)

·       Nausea or vomiting

·       Metallic or bitter taste in the mouth (Clarithromycin)

·       Stomach cramps

·       Headache

Uncommon Side Effects

·       Oral thrush (candidiasis, antibiotic disruption of normal flora)

·       Skin rash

·       Elevated liver enzymes

Serious Side Effects, Seek Immediate Medical Attention

·       Clostridioides difficile colitis (severe antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, seek care for watery or bloody diarrhoea with fever)

·       Severe allergic reaction to Amoxicillin, anaphylaxis (penicillin allergy, seek emergency care immediately)

·       QT prolongation with Clarithromycin (rare, avoid in patients with cardiac arrhythmia)

·       PENICILLIN ALLERGY: Ask specifically about penicillin/amoxicillin allergy before dispensing. A documented penicillin allergy requires an alternative H. pylori regimen (e.g., quadruple therapy with bismuth, metronidazole, tetracycline + PPI).

·       COMPLETE THE COURSE: Stopping early is the primary driver of H. pylori treatment failure and antibiotic resistance. The full 14-day course is non-negotiable.

·       CONFIRM ERADICATION: A test-of-cure (breath or stool antigen test) 4 weeks after treatment is essential, do not assume success without testing.

·       ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE: Clarithromycin resistance rates are rising globally, if treatment failure occurs, second-line therapy is needed.

·       QT PROLONGATION: Clarithromycin prolongs QT interval, avoid in patients with known cardiac arrhythmia or those on QT-prolonging drugs.

·       ALCOHOL: Avoid alcohol during treatment, worsens GI side effects.

Warfarin: Clarithromycin significantly increases warfarin effect, monitor INR closely during H. pylori treatment.

Statins (simvastatin, lovastatin): Clarithromycin inhibits CYP3A4, increases statin levels and myopathy risk. Consider pausing statin during 14-day course.

Colchicine: Clarithromycin increases colchicine levels, avoid combination (risk of colchicine toxicity).

Digoxin: Clarithromycin increases digoxin levels, monitor closely.

Pimozide / Cisapride / Ergotamine: CONTRAINDICATED with Clarithromycin, QT prolongation and ergotism.

Antacids: May reduce lansoprazole absorption, take lansoprazole before meals, not with antacids.

·       Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place.

·       Keep each medicine in its original packaging.

·       Protect from moisture and light.

·       Keep out of reach of children.

Pylotrip Kit is available at Pharmily with a pharmacist recommendation following documented H. pylori diagnosis, or with a doctor's prescription. Testing before treatment is strongly recommended, empirical treatment without confirmed diagnosis is discouraged due to antibiotic stewardship principles.

Pylotrip is a standard first-line clarithromycin-based triple therapy for H. pylori eradication. Confirm H. pylori diagnosis before dispensing; urea breath test or stool antigen test are preferred. Penicillin allergy screening is MANDATORY before dispensing; document clearly in any dispensing record.

Counsel explicitly on the full 14-day course completion; this is the single biggest determinant of success. The Clarithromycin-Warfarin interaction is clinically significant; check for anticoagulant use and advise INR monitoring. Statin interaction: advise patients on simvastatin or lovastatin to consider pausing for the 14-day course to reduce myopathy risk.

Plan for test-of-cure at dispensing, communicate to patient and ensure the prescriber is arranging a follow-up breath or stool test 4 weeks post-treatment. In areas with high clarithromycin resistance (including parts of Kenya), a 14-day course is preferred over 7 days.

Q1: What is Pylotrip Kit used for?

A: Pylotrip Kit is used to eliminate Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a stomach bacteria that causes peptic ulcers, chronic stomach inflammation (gastritis), and persistent stomach pain. Curing the infection allows ulcers to heal and prevents them from coming back.

Q2: How long do I need to take Pylotrip for?

A: The full 14-day course is essential. Stopping early, even if you feel better, often means the infection is not fully cleared and can lead to antibiotic resistance. Take all three medicines twice daily for all 14 days.

Q3: I am allergic to penicillin, can I take Pylotrip?

A: No, Pylotrip contains Amoxicillin, which is a penicillin antibiotic. A penicillin allergy means you cannot take this kit. Inform your doctor or pharmacist about your allergy, there are alternative H. pylori regimens that do not contain penicillin.

Q4: Why does Pylotrip leave a metallic taste in my mouth?

A: The metallic taste is a very common side effect of Clarithromycin. It is harmless and temporary, it will disappear when you finish the course. Chewing sugar-free gum or rinsing with water can help.

Q5: How will I know if Pylotrip has worked?

A: You should have a test (breath test or stool antigen test) at least 4 weeks after completing Pylotrip to confirm the H. pylori has been successfully eliminated. Do not assume success without a confirmatory test.