This study compared the efficacy of an H2-receptor antagonist (H2RA)- and a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI)-based triple regimen for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection. Chinese patients with H. pylori-associated gastritis or peptic ulcer were randomized to receive the H2RA-based triple regimen (20 mg famotidine, 1.0 g amoxicillin and 0.4 g metronidazole) or the PPI-based triple regimen (20 mg omeprazole, 1.0 g amoxicillin and 0.4 g metronidazole) both twice daily for 1 or 2 weeks. Successful eradication of H. pylori was determined by the 13C-urea breath test and gastric mucosa histology at least 4 weeks after completion of antibiotic therapy. Eradication rates were 56.0% and 76.9% for the 1-week H2RA- and PPI-based triple regimens, respectively, and 81.6% and 82.1% for the 2-week regimens, respectively. The H. pylori eradication rate for the 2-week H2RA regimen was significantly higher than that for the 1-week regimen, but there were no significant differences between the 1- and 2-week PPI regimens. The two regimens proved equally effective in eradicating H. pylori infection.