What Are The Common Side Effects Of Ulcer Medication
All medications may produce side effects, and side effects will vary depending on the type of medication. This is not a complete list of possible side effects, so consult with a healthcare professional about any concerns or questions you may have regarding your specific situation.
Proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers are relatively safe medications available in prescription and over-the-counter formulations. The most commonly experienced side effects are digestive system problems such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. H2 blockers can also affect the central nervous system, so headaches, drowsiness, and dizziness are often experienced.
Proton pump inhibitors can reduce the absorption of calcium in the body, which can lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures. Patients will often be prescribed or recommended calcium supplements to take along with proton pump inhibitors. Other serious side effects of proton pump inhibitors may include kidney disease, vitamin B12 deficiency, and diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile infection.
The most serious side effects of H2 blockers are related to their effects on the central nervous system. These side effects may include delirium, hallucinations, extreme drowsiness, and slurred speech.
Misoprostol Is Effective But Has More Side Effects
There were also a lot of studies on misoprostol. The studies showed that this drug can prevent the development of peptic ulcers too. But misoprostol has a disadvantage: It often causes side effects, particularly diarrhea and stomach cramps. Because of this, compared to the people in the studies on proton pump inhibitors, more people in the studies on misoprostol stopped their treatment. There is very little research on the combination drug that is available in Germany. So it’s not clear whether it has any advantages or disadvantages compared to other treatments.
Home Remedies For Ulcer Pain
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How Long To Take It For
If you buy pantoprazole from a pharmacy, you can usually take it for up to 2 weeks.
After 2 weeks:
- if your symptoms have improved, you can take it for another 2 weeks
- if your symptoms have not improved or they are worse, speak to a doctor before taking any more pantoprazole
Do not take pantoprazole for more than 4 weeks without speaking to your doctor first. If your symptoms have not improved, you may need some tests to find out whats causing them.
If you take pantoprazole on prescription, you may only need to take it for a few weeks or months, depending on your condition. Sometimes your doctor may advise you to take it for longer, even for many years.
Some people do not need to take pantoprazole every day and take it only when they have symptoms. Once you feel better , you can stop taking it.
Taking pantoprazole just on days when you have symptoms is not suitable for everyone. Speak to your doctor about whats best for you.
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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 .
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
- H2 receptor blockers that reduce stomach acid production
- Proton pump inhibitors to block stomach acid production
- Protectants that coat the ulcer and protect it against acid and enzymes, enhancing healing
- Bismuth .
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.
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What Are Peptic Ulcers
Peptic ulcers are sores that develop in the lining of the stomach, lower esophagus, or small intestine. Theyre usually formed as a result of inflammation caused by the bacteria H. pylori, as well as from erosion from stomach acids. Peptic ulcers are a fairly common health problem.
There are three types of peptic ulcers:
- gastric ulcers:ulcers that develop inside the stomach
- esophageal ulcers:ulcers that develop inside the esophagus
- duodenal ulcers: ulcers that develop in the upper section of the small intestines, called the duodenum
Different factors can cause the lining of the stomach, the esophagus, and the small intestine to break down. These include:
- Helicobacter pylori , a type of bacteria that can cause a stomach infection and inflammation
- frequent use of aspirin , ibuprofen , and other anti-inflammatory drugs
How Peptic Ulcers Are Treated
A peptic ulcer is a sore or lesion that forms in the lining of the stomach or duodenum, the first part of the small intestine. Peptic ulcers are caused by Helicobacter pylori , a bacterium that lives in the mucous lining of the stomach and intestine. Symptoms of these ulcers include pain, discomfort, heartburn, nausea, or gas, though some people may not experience any symptoms at all.
Treatment of peptic ulcers include antibiotics to clear H. pylori, prescription and over-the-counter medicines to manage symptoms, and lifestyle modifications to help ulcers heal.
A peptic ulcer is one of the most common gastrointestinal tract issues seen by healthcare providers an estimated 5% to 10% of all people will experience one in their lifetime.
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Can It Be Prevented
You can greatly reduce your chances of getting a stomach ulcer if you:
- Stop smoking. Smoking is one factor closely linked to poor healing and ulcer recurrence. Cigarette smokers often continue to suffer from ulcers until they quit.
- Avoid trigger foods in your diet such as coffee, chocolate, alcohol, peppermint, tomatoes, tomato-based products, fatty foods, spicy foods and food seasoning such as black pepper, garlic and chilli powder. Citrus fruits may cause discomfort for some people.
- Stop taking harmful medications. People with ulcers caused by NSAID use must discontinue the offending drug. People who need ongoing pain relief for a condition such as arthritis should ask their doctor to prescribe alternative medication. Steroids also cause peptic ulceration.
- Exercise to raise your endorphin levels. People with ulcers may benefit from relaxation techniques and biofeedback to cope with stress. Regular exercise promotes the release of endorphins, brain chemicals that dull pain and elevate mood.
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How Do Doctors Treat An Nsaid
If NSAIDs are causing your peptic ulcer and you dont have an H. pylori infection, your doctor may tell you to
- stop taking the NSAID
- reduce how much of the NSAID you take
- switch to another medicine that wont cause a peptic ulcer
Your doctor may also prescribe medicines to reduce stomach acid and coat and protect your peptic ulcer. Proton pump inhibitors , histamine receptor blockers, and protectants can help relieve pain and help your ulcer heal.
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Why Is This Medication Prescribed
Prescription famotidine is used to treat ulcers gastroesophageal reflux disease and conditions where the stomach produces too much acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome . Over-the-counter famotidine is used to prevent and treat heartburn due to acid indigestion and sour stomach caused by eating or drinking certain foods or drinks. Famotidine is in a class of medications called H2 blockers. It works by decreasing the amount of acid made in the stomach.
What Is The Best Home Remedy For An Ulcer
An ulcer needs time to heal, so the best home remedies help guard the stomach against unnecessary irritation and work to lower stomach acid. Here are some examples:
- Avoid foods that increase stomach acid such as dairy, coffee, and soft drinks
- Avoid foods that irritate or damage the stomach such as alcohol, spicy foods, and fatty foods
- Eat small meals throughout the day
- Smoking also increases stomach acid, so stop smoking
- Avoid NSAIDs for pain if youre at risk of getting an ulcer. They reduce prostaglandins that protect the stomach lining from stomach acids. Use acetaminophen instead
- Stress and nervousness may increase stomach acid, so manage stress with relaxation exercises, stretching, yoga, and other stress management techniques
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Other Options For Pain Relief
Painkillers aren’t the only answer for many of life’s aches and pains. Many effective and safe alternatives don’t have any side effects at all.
- Ice packs, for acute injuries such as a sprained ankle, can keep down swelling and ease pain.
- Heat with a hot towel or heating pad can be helpful for treating chronic overuse injuries.
- Physical activity can help reduce some kinds of discomfort, such as arthritis pain.
- Relaxation with techniques such as yoga or meditation — may reduce pain. Biofeedback may help as well. These approaches are best for pain that’s amplified by stress, such as tension headaches.
- Nontraditional techniques with low risks — such as acupuncture — benefit some people.
So remember: Pain relief doesn’t only come from a pill bottle.
How To Prevent Treat Ulcers
To lower your risk of ulcers, follow the recommended-use instructions on products containing NSAIDs, Abdi said. These typically note that the medication shouldnt be taken for longer than 10 to 14 days. The longer you take it and the higher dose that you take it outside of the labeled use, youre at greater risk for developing complications, she said.
Switching to a lower-risk pain reliever, such as Tylenol, or acetaminophen, may also be helpful, experts said. But although acetaminophen treats pain, it isnt an anti-inflammatory, and taking too much can cause liver damage.
Experts recommended that people who use NSAIDs to help manage chronic pain talk with their health-care provider, rather than self-medicate. Keep in mind that there isnt a specific dosage or use period that is considered universally safe, Stevoff said.
Everybodys different, he said. For some people, they can take massive doses of these things and never have a problem. Other people can take relatively small amounts and get an ulcer right away.
If your treatment requires taking NSAIDs over a long period, your doctor may also prescribe a common acid-reducing medication known as proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, experts said. Some PPIs, such as Prilosec and Nexium, are over-the-counter medicines.
As I have learned, NSAIDs have side effects and ignoring their potential impact isnt a good idea, she . I am exhibit A.
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Available By Prescription Or Over
- Antacids that neutralize stomach acid. Your doctor may include an antacid in your drug regimen. Antacids neutralize existing stomach acid and can provide rapid pain relief. Side effects can include constipation or diarrhea, depending on the main ingredients.
- Antacids can provide symptom relief, but generally aren’t used to heal your ulcer.
- Medications that protect the lining of your stomach and small intestine. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medications called cytoprotective agents that help protect the tissues that line your stomach and small intestine.
- Options include the prescription medications sucralfate and misoprostol .
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What Are Your Treatment Options
Medication can be used to bring stomach ulcer relief. A type of medication known as a proton pump inhibitor can usually reduce the amount of acid in your digestive system, allowing the ulcer to heal.
If an H. pylori infection is responsible for the ulcers, a combination of antibiotics can be used to kill the bacteria, which should prevent the ulcer coming back.
If the ulcers are related to the use of NSAIDs, they are usually stopped and proton pump inhibitors used. In the case of aspirin-induced ulcers, the aspirin sometimes needs to be continued, depending on why it is being given.
Surgery may be necessary if all the medications for treating peptic ulcers are unsuccessful or if serious complications develop. In the case of a bleeding ulcer, the doctor will repair the source of the bleeding.
If the ulcer has perforated the stomach or duodenal wall, an emergency operation is required to close the perforation.
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What Is An Ulcer
Ulcers are open sores on the inner lining of the lower esophagus, stomach, or the upper portion of the small intestine. They are often painful, particularly after eating, and can bleed into the stomach or intestines.
Ulcers are identified by the location of the sore:
- Esophageal ulcers occur on the lower part of the esophagus, the muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach.
- Gastric ulcers form in the stomach lining.
- Duodenal ulcers form in the lining of the small intestine near the stomach called the duodenum.
Esophageal, gastric, and duodenal ulcers are collectively called peptic ulcers or peptic ulcer disease . They are closely related both in causes and treatments. Compared to gastric and duodenal ulcers, esophageal ulcers may arise from different causes and require different treatments in some cases.
Peptic ulcers are due to an erosion of the defenses the stomach or intestinal tissues use to protect themselves against harmful stomach acid. When these defenses are compromised, the acid can eat away at the lining of the stomach or duodenum, causing sores.
Lifestyle factors, such as eating spicy foods or stress, are no longer considered risk factors for developing peptic or esophageal ulcers, but they may worsen ulcer symptoms.
Peptic ulcer disease is very common. Anywhere from 5% to 10% of the population will develop a peptic ulcer at some time during their lives. About 2% to 7% will experience an esophageal ulcer in their lifetime, mostly due to GERD.
Knowing If You Have An Ulcer
Burning stomach pain, burping, bloating and heartburn are among the common signs of an ulcer, Abdi said. But Borum noted that its not unusual for people with ulcers to be asymptomatic until they develop a complication, such as bleeding or perforating, as in Dingells case. About 2 to 10 percent of ulcer patients will experience a perforated ulcer, which often manifests as acute, severe and diffuse abdominal pain, Borum said.
Because of the overlap between symptoms of various gastrointestinal problems, Borum urged people to pay attention to their bodies. If your symptoms are recurring, persistent and increasing in severity, you should definitely seek medical attention, she said.
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Otc Medication For Stomach Ulcers
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When Should I Call My Healthcare Provider
See your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms:
- Vomiting blood or dark material that looks like coffee grounds
- Extreme weakness or dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting that doesnt get better, or gets worse
- A sudden, severe pain that may spread to your back
- Losing weight without even trying
Untreated peptic ulcers may cause other health problems. Sometimes they bleed. If they become too deep, they can break through your stomach.
Ulcers can also keep food from going through your stomach.
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If You Forget To Take It
If you usually take pantoprazole:
- once a day take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless your next dose is due in less than 12 hours in which case skip the missed dose and take the next one at the usual time
- twice a day take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless your next dose is due in less than 4 hours in which case skip the missed dose and take the next one at the usual time
Never take a double dose to make up for a forgotten one.
If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to remember to take your medicine.
How Should I Take Sucralfate
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Take sucralfate on an empty stomach.
Shake the oral suspension before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device .
If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar regularly. Your doctor may adjust your dose based on your blood sugar levels.
The liquid from of this medicine should never be injected through a needle into the body, or death may occur. Sucralfate oral suspension is to be taken only by mouth.
It may take 2 to 8 weeks before you receive the full benefit of taking sucralfate. Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve.
Your doctor may want you to keep taking sucralfate at a lower dose once your active ulcer has healed. Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions very carefully.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow the liquid medicine to freeze.
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