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Duodenal Ulcer: Treatments

How is a duodenal ulcer treated?

Treatment for duodenal ulcer begins with seeking medical care from your health care provider. To determine if you have a duodenal ulcer, your health care provider may ask you to undergo diagnostic tests.

Antibiotic treatments for a duodenal ulcer

If your duodenal ulcer is caused by H pylori infection, antibiotic therapy is the mainstay of treatment. It is important to follow your antibiotic regimen precisely to avoid re-infection or recurrence. Most commonly, two antibiotics are given for 14 days. Examples of antibiotic treatments include:

  • Amoxicillin
  • Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
  • Metronidazole (Flagyl)
  • Tetracycline

Other medications to treat a duodenal ulcer

Medications such as proton pump inhibitors and histamine H2-receptor antagonists, which decrease the amount of acid in the stomach, can also be an effective treatment for duodenal ulcer.

Proton pump inhibitors that are effective in the treatment of duodenal ulcer include:

  • Esomeprazole (Nexium)
  • Lansoprazole (Prevacid)
  • Omeprazole (Prilosec)
  • Pantoprazole (Protonix)
  • Rabeprazole (Aciphex)

Histamine H2-receptor antagonists that are effective in the treatment of duodenal ulcer include:

  • Cimetidine (Tagamet)
  • Famotidine (Pepcid)
  • Nizatidine (Axid)
  • Ranitidine (Zantac)

If you have diarrhea and vomiting, fluid and electrolyte replenishment is also a component of successful treatment.

What are the potential complications of a duodenal ulcer?

You can help minimize your risk of serious complications by following the treatment plan you and your health care professional design specifically for you. Possible complications of duodenal ulcer include:

  • Internal hemorrhaging
  • Perforated duodenal ulcer, which can lead to bleeding
  • Severe discomfort or pain
  • Spread of infection

References:

Peptic ulcer. PubMed Health. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001255/. Accessed May 5, 2011.

Helicobacter pylori and peptic ulcer disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ulcer/. Accessed May 5, 2011.

INTRODUCTION

What is a duodenal ulcer?

A duodenal ulcer is a type of peptic ulcer that occurs in the duodenum, the beginning of the small intestine. Peptic ulcers are eroded areas in the lining of stomach and duodenum, which result in abdominal pain, possible bleeding, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. The most common cause of duodenal ulcer is a ... Read more about duodenal ulcer introduction

SYMPTOMS

What are the symptoms of a duodenal ulcer?

Duodenal ulcer causes inflammation and damage to the stomach lining that may result in a number of symptoms. The symptoms can vary in intensity among individuals.... Read more about duodenal ulcer symptoms

CAUSES


... Read more about duodenal ulcer causes

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Medical Reviewer: All content has been reviewed by board-certified physicians under the direction of Rich Klasco, M.D., FACEP. Last Annual Review Date: May 2, 2011 Copyright: © Copyright 2011 Health Grades, Inc. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or reprinted without permission from Health Grades, Inc. Use of this information is governed by the HealthGrades User Agreement.

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