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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 14, 2014; 20(30): 10331-10337
Published online Aug 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i30.10331
Published online Aug 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i30.10331
Helicobacter pylori infection and drugs malabsorption
Edith Lahner, Bruno Annibale, Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Digestive and Liver Disease, “Sapienza” University of Roma, 00189 Roma, Italy
Camilla Virili, Maria Giulia Santaguida, Marco Centanni, Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, “Sapienza” University of Roma, 04100 Latina, Italy
Author contributions: Annibale B, Lahner E and Virili C designed the review; Virili C and Santaguida MG performed the literature research; Lahner E and Virili C wrote the paper; Annibale B and Centanni M approved the final version.
Supported by “Sapienza” University of Roma grant, No. 0006345
Correspondence to: Marco Centanni, MD, Professor, Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, “Sapienza” University of Roma, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Roma, Italy. marco.centanni@uniroma1.it
Telephone: +39-6-49972604 Fax: +39-6-49972604
Received: October 18, 2013
Revised: January 24, 2014
Accepted: April 27, 2014
Published online: August 14, 2014
Revised: January 24, 2014
Accepted: April 27, 2014
Published online: August 14, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Drug absorption is a critical factor affecting the efficacy of orally administered therapies. A causal relationship between impaired absorption of orally administered drugs and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has been proposed. Previous studies have observed that H. pylori infection and poor bioavailability of l-dopa and l-thyroxine are associated. Less strong seems the association between H. pylori infection and delavirdine and ketoconazole malabsorption. The absorption of oral drugs may potentially be influenced by gastric pH. When a treatment with an oral drug fails, this may be due to a H. pylori-related gastritis and its associated gastric hypochlorhydria, which may partially or totally be reversible.