Treatment For Peptic Ulcer Disease

Proton Pump Inhibitors

Doctors often recommend patients take medications to block acid production and promote peptic ulcer healing. These medications are otherwise known as proton pump inhibitors, and they reduce stomach acid by blocking the parts of cells that produce the acid from being active. Options for proton pump inhibitors have both prescription and over-the-counter varieties, and include rabeprazole, pantoprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, and omeprazole.

Patients should be aware, however, that taking proton pump inhibitors for long periods, particularly when they have a high dose, are at an increased risk for fractures of the spine, wrists, and hip. Thus, patients may wish to consult with their doctor and see if a calcium supplement will help them reduce this risk.

Histamine Blockers

Doctors may also recommend acid or histamine blockers to their patients with peptic ulcer disease. These medications reduce the production of histamine, which is a chemical in the human body that signals the stomach to produce acid when necessary. By blocking the production of histamine, these blockers reduce the stomach acid released into the digestive tract. As a result, pain from peptic ulcer disease is greatly reduced. Furthermore, histamine blockers also provide some measure of healing when it comes to peptic ulcer disease. The histamine blockers doctors recommend include ranitidine, nizatidine, cimetidine, and famotidine. These are available both over-the-counter or with a prescription.