Which medication is commonly used in combination with a proton pump inhibitor to treat H. pylori infection?

The medication that is commonly used in combination with a proton pump inhibitor to treat H. pylori infection is clarithromycin. This antibiotic is a critical component of the standard triple therapy regimen, which typically includes a proton pump inhibitor, clarithromycin, and either amoxicillin or metronidazole. The proton pump inhibitor helps reduce stomach acid, allowing the clarithromycin and the other antibiotics to work more effectively by enhancing their efficacy against the H. pylori bacteria.

Amoxicillin, while also used in treatment regimens, is not used in conjunction with proton pump inhibitors as frequently as clarithromycin, especially in the standard triple therapy approach. Tetracycline and vancomycin are not commonly included in first-line treatments for H. pylori, making them less relevant in this context. Therefore, clarithromycin's role in combination therapy with proton pump inhibitors is essential for effectively eradicating H. pylori infection.