Breath test for Helicobacter pylori (urea)

This test checks whether the bacteria are active in your stomach. Preparation focuses almost exclusively on avoiding medications that could mask the bacteria and alter the results.

• Fasting: Strict fasting (neither food nor water) for at least 8 hours before the test is necessary.
• Antibiotics and Bismuth: You must stop taking any antibiotics or bismuth salts 4 weeks before the test.
• Gastric protectors (PPIs): It is mandatory to stop medications such as omeprazole, pantoprazole, lansoprazole, or esomeprazole 2 weeks prior. If you suffer from severe heartburn, local antacids (like Almax) are usually permitted up to 24 hours before, but please consult your doctor.
• Habits: Do not smoke or chew gum on the day of the test before taking it.

Step-by-step process at the clinic: This is a very quick test, normally taking about 20 to 30 minutes in total.

1. Baseline breath: Upon arrival, you will be asked to blow through a straw into a small test tube or a sealed bag to capture your "zero" or baseline breath sample.

2. The drink: You will be given a liquid to drink (or a pill to swallow with a little water) containing labeled urea, and sometimes a bit of citric acid (lemon-flavored) to prepare the stomach.

3. The wait: You will need to sit and rest for about 10 to 20 minutes.

4. Final breath: Once the time is up, you will blow again into a second tube or bag. And you're done! The laboratory will compare the gases in both tubes.