H. pylori treatment: What works, what to avoid, and how to stop the infection for good

When you have a persistent stomach ache, bloating, or unexplained nausea, it might not be stress—it could be H. pylori, a bacterium that lives in the stomach lining and is the leading cause of peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis. Also known as Helicobacter pylori, this tiny germ is behind most cases of stomach ulcers and even some types of stomach cancer. Unlike occasional indigestion, H. pylori doesn’t go away on its own. Left untreated, it keeps damaging the stomach’s protective layer, leading to long-term pain and higher cancer risk.

Treating H. pylori isn’t just about popping one pill. It requires a combination of at least two antibiotics plus a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), usually taken for 10 to 14 days. The antibiotics—like clarithromycin, amoxicillin, or metronidazole—kill the bacteria, while the PPI, such as omeprazole or esomeprazole, shuts down stomach acid so the stomach lining can heal. This combo approach isn’t optional; using just one antibiotic leads to failure in over 30% of cases because the bacteria quickly become resistant. Even if your symptoms disappear after a few days, you must finish the full course. Stopping early is the #1 reason treatment fails.

Some people try natural fixes—ginger, honey, probiotics—but while these might help with symptoms, none can reliably kill H. pylori. The only proven way is a doctor-approved triple or quadruple therapy. And it’s not just about the drugs: smoking, alcohol, and NSAIDs like ibuprofen can interfere with healing and make treatment less effective. If you’ve had treatment before and it didn’t work, your doctor may test for antibiotic resistance before trying again. Follow-up testing—usually a breath or stool test—is critical to confirm the bug is gone.

Below, you’ll find real, practical guides on how H. pylori treatment works in practice: what drugs are used, why side effects happen, how to handle them, and what to do if the first round fails. These aren’t theory pages—they’re based on actual patient experiences and clinical guidelines. Whether you’re just diagnosed or fighting a recurring infection, you’ll find clear answers here.