Helicobacter Pylori Tests: How To Prepare

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How To Prepare

Blood antibody test or stool antigen test

You do not need to do anything before you have a blood antibody test or stool antigen 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 for up to 1 week before having this test.

• Do not take antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors (such as Prilosec or Nexium), or medicines containing bismuth (such as Pepto-Bismol) for 1 to 2 weeks before the test.
• Do not take H2 blockers, such as Pepcid AC, Zantac, Axid, or Tagamet, for 24 hours before the test.

Talk to your health professional 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?) .

Last updated:	January 11, 2008
Author:	Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Andrew H. Soll, MD - Gastroenterology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC