Medical Treatment

The following treatments are recommended for ulcers:

• Lifestyle changes - Quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol, aspirin, and NSAIDs
  
  
• Acid-blocking medications
  
  
• Medications that protect the lining of the stomach and duodenum
  
  
• "Triple-therapy" or "dual-therapy" regimens for ulcers caused by H pylori

No single medication works to get rid of H pylori infection. Different combinations of medications have been tried. After much trial and error, 2 combinations have been found that work well in most people.

• Triple therapy: The combination of bismuth subsalicylate (for example, Pepto-Bismol) and the antibiotics tetracycline and metronidazole works in 80-95% of people and is the current standard of therapy. All are taken as pills. The bismuth subsalicylate and tetracycline have to be taken 4 times a day and the metronidazole 3 times a day. This complicated schedule is difficult for many people to follow.
  
  
• Dual therapy: This therapy was developed as a response to the complexity and side effects of triple therapy. It comprises 2 antibiotics, amoxicillin and metronidazole, both taken as pills 3 times a day. This simplified schedule is preferred by many people.
  
  
• Clarithromycin can be substituted for the 15-25% of people whose infections are resistant to metronidazole.
  
  
• Sometimes an acid pump inhibitor such as omeprazole is added or substituted for one of the antibiotics.
  
  
• These treatments usually take 2 weeks.
  
  
• Once H pylori bacteria are eradicated from a person's digestive tract, it usually will not come back. The ulcers usually heal completely and do not return.
  
  
• Researchers are studying other combinations that may work as well or better in less time, with less complicated schedules and fewer side effects.

Treatment for bleeding ulcers depends on the severity of blood loss.

• IV fluids
  
  
• Bowel rest: Bed rest and clear fluids with no food at all for a few days. This gives the ulcer a chance to start healing without being irritated.
  
  
• Nasogastric tube: Placement of a thin, flexible tube through your nose and down into your stomach. This also relieves pressure on the stomach and helps it heal.
  
  
• Urgent endoscopy or surgery, if indicated: Damaged, bleeding blood vessels can usually be repaired with an endoscope. The endoscope has a small heating device on the end that is used to cauterize a small wound.

It is important to remember that treatment may not work if the diagnosis is not correct. If your health care provider tells you that you have an ulcer, it is important to ascertain whether the ulcer is caused by infection with H pylori.

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Peptic Ulcers - Symptoms At Onset Of Disease

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