Preparation of the patient for the urea breath test

To obtain reliable results from the urea breath test, certain conditions must be met:
• The patient must not eat for at least 6 hours before the test.
• The patient must not drink, smoke cigarettes, or chew gum for at least 6 hours before the test.
• If the patient has been on proton pump inhibitors (Omeprazole, Controloc, Nolpaza, Lanzul, Nexium) and H2 blockers (Ranitidine, Ranital, Ranitidine, Famotidine), the test should be performed at least 7 days after stopping the therapy, preferably after at least 15 days.
• If the patient has been on antibiotic therapy or bismuth salts, the test should be performed at least one month after stopping the therapy.
• Patients on chronic therapy should take their medications after the test. Pregnant and breastfeeding women can undergo the urea breath test.