medical management
Last reviewed 01/2018
Drugs used in the medical management of peptic ulcer disease fall into three classes:
- inhibition of acid secretion - proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole
- neutralization of acid - H2 antagonists, e.g. ranitidine 150 mg bd or 300 mg nocte for 4-8 weeks. Ranitidine is preferred because it has fewer side effects and drug interactions than cimetidine
- increased mucosal resistance:
- sucralfate - there is some concern about long-term use because of the drug's aluminium content. It may also reduce phenytoin absorption.
- misoprostol
NICE have produced guidelines as to the management of dyspepsia in primary care (see linked items).
NICE guidance - management of duodenal ulcer (DU) in primary care
NICE guidance - management of dyspepsia in adults in primary care (summary section)
neutralization of gastric acid
improvement of mucosal resistance
inhibition of gastric acid secretion