Antibiotic resistance possible?

[Singaporeguy]

Hi @helico_expert! Thank you for the great work you have been doing on the forum.. Appreciate it!

I have been diagnosed with h. Pylori and given the standard therapy of vonoprazan, amoxicillin and clarithroymycin for 14 days.

However, in the 2 mths leading up to the diagnosis, the General Practitioner i saw gave me clarithroymycin which i took only one pill of it for, before another GP asked me to stop and switch to avelox instead because he thought i had a throat infection instead.

Also, i was given Flagyl prior to the h. Pylori diagnosis as one doctor suspected that i had girdia. I took it for 4 days before i was told to stop it cos the stool test showed up negative for girdia.

My question is will these 2 episodes affect my current standard therapy? Will the antibiotics I'm taking be less effective in eradicating the h. Pylori bug?

I was already suffering the effects of h. Pylori when these 2 episodes happen.

[Helico_expert]

This question presents a challenge. Your prior use of flagyl and clarithromycin, even if for just a day, could potentially lead to resistance. However, it's important to consider how long ago this occurred. If it was many years ago, there's a possibility that any resistant strains have been surpassed by sensitive strains, following the theory that mutant (resistant) strains may grow less robustly than wild type (sensitive) strains.

Additionally, you are currently taking vonoprazan, a new drug that some studies suggest could overcome resistant strains. Therefore, I would recommend completing your current treatment regimen (Vonoprazan + amoxicillin + clarithromycin).

Lastly, if possible, discussing the addition of bismuth with your doctor may further enhance the success of your treatment.

[Singaporeguy]

I see! The flagyl was about 2 weeks ago and the Clarithromycin about 2 mths ago..

[Ariel19]

Hi! Thanks for sharing your experience. While previous antibiotic use can potentially affect the effectiveness of your current treatment due to possible antibiotic resistance, it’s best to consult with your doctor about any concerns. They can evaluate whether alternative therapies or adjustments are necessary to eradicate H. pylori successfully.

[stickmanhookgame]

Your concerns about antibiotic exposure prior to your H. pylori treatment are valid, as prior use of antibiotics—especially clarithromycin and metronidazole (Flagyl)—can indeed influence the success of your current standard therapy.

[andreeone23]

Your advice is really helpful for me, thank you very much! Geoguessr

[drewbinsky]

Your concern about antibiotic effectiveness stems from a thoughtful awareness of your treatment history, similar to your proactive approach to social media strategies or travel gear (e.g., wanting reliable, optimized solutions). The brief exposures are unlikely to derail your therapy, but confirming eradication is wise given the slight resistance risk.

[chickenjockey]

It’s understandable to worry about antibiotic exposure before treatment. Even brief use can sometimes influence resistance, but your current therapy is standard and effective. Following up with your doctor for monitoring is definitely the best step.

[nanalyly]

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve mechanisms to survive exposure to antibiotics that would normally kill them or stop their growth. Slope Rider