Nonprescription Medicines for Peptic Ulcers

Topic Overview

Take antacids or acid reducers to relieve your symptoms of peptic ulcer.

• Antacids (such as Maalox, Mylanta, or Tums) reduce the amount of acid in your stomach.
• Acid reducers (such as Pepcid or Prilosec) reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces.

Reducing the amount of acid in your stomach helps your ulcer heal.

If you are taking one of these medicines to help your symptoms for more than 10 to 14 days at a time, or if your symptoms are very bad, call your doctor.

If you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before choosing an antacid. Some antacids have a high salt (sodium) content.

Be careful when you take over-the-counter antacid medicines. Many of these medicines have aspirin in them. Read the label to make sure that you are not taking more than the recommended dose. Too much aspirin can be harmful.