Objective: To check whether therapy to eradicate Helicobacter pylori has succeeded in reducing the consumption of traditional ulcer medication.
Design: A longitudinal, retrospective study of the use of medication.
Setting: Spain in the decade from 1988 to 1997.
Participants: Pharmaceutical products belonging to the anatomical therapeutic group AO2B (for ulcers) and dispensed at the Social Security's expense.
Measurements and main results: Despite the widespread use of treatments to eradicate H. pylori, it was found that consumption of ulcer medication continued to increase markedly, from 5 daily doses per 1000 inhabitants in 1988 to 19 in 1997. In 1997 the two most frequently taken active principles in the group were omeprazole and ranitidine. Drugs indicated for gastric protection were also used much more. However, in absolute values, they stayed well below anti-H2 drugs and proton pump inhibitors.
Conclusion: The introduction into Spain of therapy to eradicate H. pylori has failed to reduce the use of ulcer medication. The use of anti-H2 drugs and proton pump inhibitors for gastric protection may explain a part of the increase in consumption experienced by these two pharmacological groups.