Digestive Disorders Health Center

Most peptic ulcers can be cured and prevented from coming back by eliminating Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections and avoiding nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Medicines are used to:

• Treat peptic ulcer disease by reducing the amount of acid produced by the stomach.
• Kill H. pylori bacteria when it is determined that they are infecting the stomach lining.
• Prevent NSAID-related peptic ulcer disease by helping protect the lining of the stomach and upper small intestine (duodenum) from injury caused by NSAIDs.

Medication Choices

Medicines to reduce acid production

Medicines that reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach are used to treat all forms of peptic ulcer disease.

• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (such as Prilosec).
• H2 blockers (such as Zantac).
• Antacids (such as Tums).

Proton pump inhibitors may be taken with antibiotics if the ulcer is caused by an H. pylori infection.

Medicines to kill H. pylori bacteria

Doctors prescribe combination drug therapy to cure infection with H. pylori bacteria. Combination drug therapy usually includes at least two antibiotics, a proton pump inhibitor, and sometimes a bismuth compound.

Medicines to prevent ulcers

Medicines used to protect the stomach from damage caused by frequent use of aspirin or other NSAIDs include:

• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (such as omeprazole). These medicines have been shown to prevent ulcers and problems from ulcers (such as bleeding) in people taking NSAIDs long-term.
• H2 blockers (such as cimetidine). These medicines may help prevent ulcers in people taking NSAIDs long-term.
• Prostaglandin analogs (such as misoprostol). These medicines also work to prevent ulcers and problems from ulcers (such as bleeding) in people taking NSAIDs long-term.

What To Think About

Ulcers in the stomach (gastric ulcers) often heal more slowly than ulcers in the upper small intestine (duodenal ulcers).

You can get some H2 blockers and PPIs without a prescription (over-the-counter or OTC). If you are using OTC acid reducers (such as Prilosec or Pepcid) to help with your symptoms for more than 10 to 14 days at a time, or if your symptoms are very bad, be sure to see your doctor.