Letters To The Editor
Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Apr 21, 2009; 15(15): 1914-1915
Published online Apr 21, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.1914
Furazolidone therapy for Helicobacter pylori: Is it effective and safe?
Vincenzo De Francesco, Enzo Ierardi, Cesare Hassan, Angelo Zullo
Vincenzo De Francesco, Enzo Ierardi, Gastroenterology Unit, “Riuniti” Hospital, Viale L. Pinto, 71100 Foggia, Italy
Cesare Hassan, Angelo Zullo, Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, Nuovo Regina Margherita Hospital, Via E. Morosini 30, 00153 Rome, Italy
Author contributions: Authors equally contributed to the letter.
Correspondence to: Vincenzo De Francesco, Gastroenterology Unit, “Riuniti” Hospital, Viale L. Pinto, 71100 Foggia, Italy. vdefrancesco@alice.it
Telephone: +39-881-702023
Fax: +39-881-702021
Received: December 19, 2008
Revised: February 11, 2009
Accepted: February 18, 2009
Published online: April 21, 2009
Abstract

Some aspects related with the use of furazolidone as a rescue therapy for Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection should be remarked, especially regarding its potential oncologic risk. The inclusion of furazolidone in a treatment regimen for H pylori infection is, at least, controversial, and it does not appear to be safe.

Keywords: Helicobacter pylori; Therapy; Furazolidone; Rescue therapy