Our stomach is lined with a mucus-producing inner layer known as the mucosa. This layer is delicate and its integrity depends on a careful balance of protective factors (such as the production of mucus) and destructive factors (such as acid production).
Medications for Stomach Ulcer (Gastric Ulcer)
Stomach ulcers are small holes or erosions that occur in the lining of your stomach. They may also be called gastric ulcers.
Ulcers can also form in your duodenum which is the first part of your small intestine, immediately beyond your stomach. A peptic ulcer is a term used to describe either a stomach or duodenal ulcer.
What Causes a Stomach Ulcer and Who is More at Risk?
Our stomach is lined with a mucus-producing inner layer known as the mucosa. This layer is delicate and its integrity depends on a careful balance of protective factors (such as the production of mucus) and destructive factors (such as acid production).
Disruption of this balance can result in a break in this protective layer, causing a stomach ulcer. Disruptions may occur as a result of:
- Excessive acid production
- Excessive alcohol consumption (stimulates acid production)
- Infection, particularly with a common stomach bacterium known as Helicobacter Pylori
- Medications NSAIDs (eg, aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, ketoprofen)
- Other conditions, such as liver disease, Crohn’s disease, or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
- Physical stress, such as major surgery or burns.
Although everyday stress (emotional stress) doesn’t appear to cause ulcers, it may make the pain worse.
The risk of getting an ulcer is also increased in people who smoke and coffee has been known to stimulate acid production in the stomach and make ulcers worse.
What are the Symptoms of a Stomach Ulcer?
Symptoms vary from person to person, and some people may have no symptoms at all. Abdominal pain is common, and that associated with stomach ulcers tends to worsen after food. Other common symptoms include:
- Bloating or belching
- Blood in the vomit or stools or dark tarry stools
- Chest pain
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Nausea or vomiting
- Tiredness
- Weight loss.
Symptoms such as vomiting, severe pain or blood in the stools are rare with stomach ulcers and should be reported to your doctor.
Most ulcers occur in the first layer of the inner lining. A hole that goes all the way through is called a perforation and will cause severe pain and bleeding. It is a medical emergency.
How is a Stomach Ulcer Diagnosed?
To help diagnose a stomach ulcer, your doctor will ask you what medications you take or have been taking, and if you have had a peptic ulcer or any other relevant condition in the past. Make sure you mention all the medications you are taking, especially NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, or ketorolac.
Your doctor will also conduct a physical examination, to check for bloating or lumps within your abdomen, and to listen for bowel sounds. Make sure you mention any areas of pain or tenderness.
Blood may also be taken to test for infection or anemia and testing may also be conducted for Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria commonly associated with stomach ulcers. Testing usually involves either a breath test, stool sample, or biopsy. To get a clear picture of the inside of your stomach and small intestines, doctors may use an endoscope (a small thin tube with a camera on the end), a series of X-rays (called an upper GI series) and/or a CT scan.
How is a Stomach Ulcer Treated?
Treatment for stomach ulcers usually involves a combination of medications which reduce acid secretion, protect the mucosa, and kill H. pylori bacteria (if present).
This allows ulcers to heal and reduces the chance of them will come back. All medications should be taken exactly as prescribed.
Examples of medications that may be considered to treat stomach ulcers include:
- Antibiotics to kill H. pylori (usually two or three different antibiotics are taken in combination for one to two weeks)
- H2 receptor blockers that reduce stomach acid production (like cimetidine, ranitidine, or famotidine)
- Proton pump inhibitors to block stomach acid production (such as esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, or pantoprazole)
- Protectants that coat the ulcer and protect it against acid and enzymes, enhancing healing (like sucralfate)
- Bismuth (may help protect the lining and kill the bacteria).
Rarely, surgery may be needed.
If NSAIDs have caused your stomach ulcer, your doctor may advise you to stop taking them, reduce their dosage, or switch to an alternative medicine. Follow his/her advice. Talk to your doctor before taking antacids as these may reduce the absorption of some other medications.
How Can I Prevent a Stomach Ulcer From Developing?
- Don’t smoke or chew tobacco.
- Limit alcohol.
- Avoid all NSAIDs, such as aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Try acetaminophen instead.
- Eat a well-balanced, healthy diet. Avoid late-night snacks or overeating.
- Reduce stress.
Drugs used to treat Stomach Ulcer
The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
Generic name: omeprazole systemic
Brand name: Prilosec
Generic name: pantoprazole systemic
Brand names: Protonix, Protonix IV
Generic name: sucralfate systemic
Brand name: Carafate
Generic name: sucralfate systemic
Generic name: pantoprazole systemic
Generic name: omeprazole systemic
Generic name: rabeprazole systemic
Generic name: famotidine systemic
Brand names: Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Heartburn Relief, Acid Controller Maximum Strength, Acid Controller Original Strength, Pepcid AC Chewable Tablets, Pepcid Oral Suspension …show all
Generic name: misoprostol systemic
Generic name: famotidine systemic
Generic name: lansoprazole systemic
Brand names: Prevacid, Prevacid OTC, Prevacid SoluTab
Generic name: rabeprazole systemic
Brand name: Aciphex
Generic name: famotidine systemic
Generic name: lansoprazole systemic
Generic name: misoprostol systemic
Brand name: Cytotec
Generic name: omeprazole / sodium bicarbonate systemic
Brand names: Zegerid, Konvomep
Generic name: pantoprazole systemic
Generic name: omeprazole / sodium bicarbonate systemic
Generic name: famotidine systemic
Generic name: famotidine systemic
Generic name: famotidine systemic
Generic name: famotidine systemic
Generic name: famotidine systemic
Generic name: aluminum hydroxide systemic
Generic name: calcium carbonate systemic
Brand names: Tums Regular Strength, Calci-Chew, Titralac, Tums Smoothies …show all
Frequently asked questions
- What foods should I avoid when taking omeprazole?
- Nexium vs Prilosec: What’s the difference between them?
- Can you take an antacid with omeprazole?
- Does omeprazole cause cancer?
- My stool has changed color. What does it mean?
- Why is there blood in my stool? What does it mean?
Topics under Stomach Ulcer
- Gastric Ulcer Prophylaxis (1 drug)
- NSAID-Induced Gastric Ulcer (7 drugs)
- Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis (9 drugs)
Alternative treatments for Stomach Ulcer
The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Stomach Ulcer. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Stomach Ulcer.
Learn more about Stomach Ulcer
Care guides
Symptoms and treatments
Medicine.com guides (external)
Legend
| Rating | For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective). |
|---|---|
| Activity | Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list. |
| Rx | Prescription only. |
| OTC | Over-the-counter. |
| Rx/OTC | Prescription or Over-the-counter. |
| Off-label | This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition. |
| EUA | An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives. |
| Expanded Access | Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available. |
| Pregnancy Category | |
|---|---|
| A | Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters). |
| B | Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. |
| C | Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks. |
| D | There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks. |
| X | Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits. |
| N | FDA has not classified the drug. |
| Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule | |
|---|---|
| M | The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication. |
| U | CSA Schedule is unknown. |
| N | Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act. |
| 1 | Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. |
| 2 | Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. |
| 3 | Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence. |
| 4 | Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3. |
| 5 | Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4. |
| Alcohol | |
|---|---|
| X | Interacts with Alcohol. |
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.