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Helicobacter pylori Tests - How To Prepare
About this test
Blood antibody test
You do not need to do anything before you have a blood antibody test.
Stool antigen test
Medicines may change the results of this test. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the prescription and nonprescription medicines you take. Your doctor may recommend that you stop taking some of your medicines.
- Do not take proton pump inhibitors (such as Prilosec or Nexium) for 2 weeks before the test.
- Do not take medicines containing bismuth (such as Pepto-Bismol) for 1 month before the test.
Stomach biopsy or urea breath test
Do not eat or drink for at least 6 hours before a breath test or a stomach biopsy.
Many medicines may change the results of this test. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the prescription and nonprescription medicines you take. Your doctor may recommend that you stop taking some of your medicines.
- Do not take antibiotics for 1 month before the test.
- Do not take medicines containing bismuth (such as Pepto-Bismol) for 1 month before the test.
- Do not take proton pump inhibitors for 2 weeks before the test.
- Do not take H2 blockers, such as Pepcid, Zantac, Axid, or Tagamet, for 24 hours before the test.
Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have
regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the
results may mean. To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out
the
medical test information form 
(What is a PDF document?).
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: January 6, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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