Bismuth: effects on gastritis and peptic ulcer.

The healing properties of colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS) on peptic ulcer are well established and several studies have shown that healing with CBS is associated with a lower relapse rate than that produced by H2-receptor antagonists. The recent observation that CBS is effective against Campylobacter pylori has shed light on this because recent studies have shown that eradication of C. pylori by CBS leads to resolution of the associated gastritis and this may explain the low relapse rates. CBS is also effective in C. pylori positive patients with non ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) in whom clearance of these organisms from the stomach is associated with significant improvement of the associated gastritis and symptoms.