Home Conditions Gastric and Duodenal Ulcer

Gastric and Duodenal Ulcer — guide.

Peptic ulcer = a lesion of the gastric or duodenal mucosa, extending deeper than the muscularis mucosae. Main causes: Helicobacter pylori (80% of duodenal ulcers, 60% of gastric ulcers) and NSAIDs.

Also known as: ulcer peptic ulcer stomach ulcer
4 recommended OTC drugs
8,260 pharmacies available

In short: Gastric and duodenal ulcers are deep lesions of the lining of the stomach or duodenum, most often caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and by NSAID anti-inflammatory drugs. OTC options for reducing acidity include proton pump inhibitors — omeprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole — and alginate, which forms a protective layer. On HartaFarmacii you can compare the prices of these options across the major pharmacies (Dr. Max, Tei, Catena, HelpNet), with prices updated daily. This information is for guidance only and does not replace a medical consultation; seek a doctor urgently if you notice black stools or vomiting blood.

Data verified on from public sources (OpenStreetMap, chain websites, ANM/MS) — updated daily.

OTC — adjuncts

What you can take alongside treatment

Informational only — HartaFarmacii is not an approved medical site. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. Don't self-medicate. Emergencies: 112.

When to seek urgent medical help

Any of these signs calls for prompt medical evaluation:

  • Gastrointestinal bleeding (hematemesis, melena)
  • Severe, suddenly onset abdominal pain (perforation)
  • Persistent vomiting, inability to eat (stenosis)
  • Marked weight loss
  • Unexplained iron-deficiency anemia

What is a peptic ulcer

A peptic ulcer is an open lesion (sore) that extends beyond the mucosa and penetrates into the wall of the stomach (gastric ulcer) or of the duodenum (duodenal ulcer). It develops when the balance between aggressive factors (hydrochloric acid, pepsin) and the protective mechanisms of the mucosa breaks down. The two major causes are infection with Helicobacter pylori and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Contrary to popular belief, psychological stress does not directly cause an ulcer, but it can aggravate it. Recognizing the disease is important because, if untreated, an ulcer can bleed, perforate, or cause stenosis — all complications that require emergency intervention.

Symptoms

Burning epigastric pain — in a gastric ulcer it appears immediately after a meal and worsens with eating, whereas in a duodenal ulcer it appears 2-3 hours after a meal and at night, being relieved by food intake. In gastric ulcer it is associated with nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. Some ulcers remain asymptomatic until the first complication.

Diagnosis

Upper digestive endoscopy (gold standard) + biopsy for H. pylori and to exclude malignancy. Urea breath test or stool antigen test for non-invasive H. pylori detection.

Treatment

If H. pylori positive — eradication treatment (triple therapy for 14 days):

  • PPI 40 mg twice/day.
  • Amoxicillin 1000 mg twice/day.
  • Clarithromycin 500 mg twice/day.

Or quadruple therapy with bismuth in case of resistance.

If NSAID-induced: stop NSAIDs, PPI for 4-8 weeks. If NSAIDs are necessary — the most selective COX-2 + prophylactic PPI.

Measures: avoid NSAIDs, alcohol, smoking, stress, spicy foods. Small, frequent meals.

Complications — emergencies

  • Gastrointestinal bleeding (hematemesis, melena, anemia).
  • Perforation — acute abdomen, pneumoperitoneum.
  • Pyloric stenosis — postprandial vomiting.
  • Malignant transformation (in gastric ulcer).

Medical disclaimer: the information in this guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. For diagnosis and treatment, consult a healthcare professional.

Compared medicines

Medicines used for gastric and duodenal ulcer

This list is indicative, generated automatically from DCI/category matching. It is not a medical recommendation — consult your doctor before starting any treatment.

This list is not a medical recommendation. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Search the pharmacy

Medicine categories for gastric and duodenal ulcer

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for gastric and duodenal ulcer

Open the interactive map and grant location permission — you'll see pharmacies sorted by distance with their opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. For overnight or weekend trips, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-call ones. For gastric and duodenal ulcer some medicines need a prescription — make sure you have a valid one (electronic or paper) before you leave, to avoid wasted trips.

For chronic treatment, save your favourite pharmacy in the app and check prices on the comparator — OTC differences between chains can hit 20-40%, while CANAMED-capped Rx items have a fixed maximum but may carry promotions. If your treatment for gastric and duodenal ulcer runs on a monthly script, schedule pickup a few days before you run out.

Left untreated

Possible complications

See also

Related symptoms and conditions

Symptom

Indigestie

Indigestia (dispepsia) e disconfort în partea superioară a abdomenului — senzație de plin, balonare, grețuri, arsuri, durere epigastrică după masă.

 Symptom

Arsuri la stomac

Arsurile la stomac (pirozis) = senzație de arsură retrosternală, urcând din epigastru spre gât. Cauza principală: reflux gastroesofagian. 20-40% din populație are episoade ocazionale.

 Symptom

Grețuri

Grețurile sunt senzația de iminentă vomă. Cauze: gastroenterite, migrenă, sarcină, rău de mișcare, medicamente, reflux, anxietate, afecțiuni vestibulare.

 Symptom

Vărsături

Vărsătura e eliminarea forțată a conținutului gastric. Risc principal — deshidratare. La copii și vârstnici evoluția e mai rapidă.

 Condition

Infecție cu Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori e bacterie gram-negativă care colonizează mucoasa gastrică. Afectează 30-50% din populație. Cauzează gastrită cronică, ulcer peptic, factor de risc cancer gastric și limfom MALT.

 Condition

Reflux gastroesofagian (GERD)

GERD = regurgitarea patologică a conținutului gastric în esofag, cu simptome și/sau complicații. Afectează 10-20% din populație. Netratat poate duce la esofagită, Barrett, cancer.

Frequently asked

What else would you like to know?

Does an ulcer heal completely?
Yes, with eradication of H. pylori (if that is the cause) or stopping NSAIDs + a PPI for 4-8 weeks — healing occurs almost always.
Diet — what should I eat?
Small frequent meals, no spicy foods, avoid coffee/alcohol, neutral foods. But diet by itself does not cure — eradicating H. pylori is essential.
Can I take NSAIDs?
After healing — with caution, preferably a selective COX-2 + prophylactic PPI. Paracetamol is preferable when needed.
Stress — does it really cause ulcers?
It does NOT cause them directly. But it aggravates an existing ulcer through immune and behavioral mechanisms (smoking, alcohol, NSAIDs).

See also

Need a medicine now?

Find the nearest pharmacy
— with prices and stock.

Open the map →