02/03/2023
Peptic ulcers
Treatment for your stomach ulcer will depend on what caused it. With treatment, most ulcers heal in a few months.
If your stomach ulcer is caused by a Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterial infection, a course of antibiotics and a medication called a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) is recommended.
This is also recommended if it's thought your stomach ulcer is caused by a combination of an H. pylori infection and taking non-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs).
If your stomach ulcer is just caused by taking NSAIDs, a course of PPI medication is recommended.
An alternative type of medication, known as H2-receptor antagonists, is occasionally used instead of PPIs.
Sometimes you may be given additional medication called antacids to relieve your symptoms in the short term.
You may have a repeat gastroscopy after 4 to 6 weeks to check that the ulcer has healed.
There aren't any special lifestyle measures you need to take during treatment, but avoiding stress, alcohol, spicy foods and smoking may reduce your symptoms while your ulcer heals.
Antibiotics
If you have an H. pylori infection, you'll usually be prescribed a course of 2 antibiotics, which each need to be taken twice a day for a week.
The antibiotics most commonly used are amoxicillin, clarithromycin and metronidazole.
The side effects of these antibiotics are usually mild and can include:
feeling and being sick
diarrhoea
a metallic taste in your mouth
You'll be tested at least 4 weeks after finishing your antibiotic course to see if there are any H. pylori bacteria left in your stomach. If there are, you may need a course of different antibiotics.