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Gastric-Ulcer Treatment

Gastric ulcers are sores that develop in the stomach that can cause abdominal pain. Ulcers can also form in other parts of the digestive tract, and these are called peptic ulcers. For years, doctors thought ulcers were caused by stress or eating too many spicy or acidic foods, but most gastric ulcers are actually caused by a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori. In many cases, these bacteria cause no problems, but they can multiply and cause an ulcer.

  1. Antibiotics

    • Because gastric ulcers are often caused by bacteria, they can be treated with antibiotics. Unlike common bacterial infections, however, multiple antibiotics are often prescribed because one alone will not be sufficient. Common antibiotics used to treat peptic ulcers include amoxicillin, metronidazole and clarithromycin. These medications are typically prescribed to be taken for at least two weeks, and it's important for patients to carefully follow their doctor's orders and finish all the prescribed medication.

    Acid-Blocking Medications

    • Acid blockers called histamine blockers are often prescribed to people with gastric ulcers. These medications limit the amount of hydrochloric acid that is produced in the stomach, which allows the ulcers to heal. Histamine blockers are available as both over-the-counter and prescription medications. Additionally, some drugs have been manufactured that combine a histamine blocker with antibiotics specifically to treat patients with gastric ulcers and other peptic ulcers. Other drugs that can be taken to help limit acid in the stomach include antacids, commonly available over the counter, and proton pump inhibitors, which stop acid-producing cells in the digestive tract from functioning properly.

    Home Treatments

    • Although spicy and acidic foods do not cause gastric ulcers, avoiding them when you have an ulcer can promote healing, so it's best to avoid them. Additionally, alcohol can irritate ulcers so it's a good idea to avoid or strictly limit alcohol consumption when dealing with an ulcer. Other things that can irritate gastric ulcers include smoking and using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, and other pain-relief products. People with gastric ulcers who need an over-the-counter pain reliever should instead try products containing acetaminophen, such as Tylenol.

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