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 called: ulcer peptic ulcer stomach ulcer
4 recommended OTC medicines
8,930 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.

Medicines compared

Medicines used for gastric and duodenal ulcer

This list is for guidance only, generated automatically from the DCI/category match. 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.

Night-time, weekends, public holidays

24/7 pharmacies for gastric and duodenal ulcer

Patients with gastric and duodenal ulcer sometimes need medicines outside normal opening hours — either because of an acute flare-up, or because chronic treatment has to continue and a stock shortage has come up. Below you have direct access to the list of pharmacies open 24/7, with address, phone number and verified opening hours.

For chronic (prescription) treatment, check stock at your preferred pharmacy in good time — especially for medicines price-capped through CANAMED, where stock can run out between deliveries. Call before you set off.

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 allow location access — you will see pharmacies sorted by distance, each with its opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. For night-time or weekend emergencies, switch on the 24/7 filter and keep only the on-duty 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 preferred pharmacy as a favourite in the app and check prices in the price comparator — differences between chains can reach 20-40% for OTC products, while for prescription medicines capped through CANAMED the maximum price is fixed, though there may be promotions. If treatment for gastric and duodenal ulcer involves a prescription covering several months, plan your collection a few days before you run out.

Left untreated

Possible complications

See also

Related symptoms and conditions

Symptom

Indigestion

Indigestion (dyspepsia) is discomfort in the upper abdomen — a feeling of fullness, bloating, nausea, burning, epigastric pain after meals.

 Symptom

Heartburn

Heartburn (pyrosis) = a retrosternal burning sensation rising from the epigastrium toward the throat. Main cause: gastroesophageal reflux. 20-40% of the population have occasional episodes.

 Symptom

Nausea

Nausea is the sensation of impending vomiting. Causes: gastroenteritis, migraine, pregnancy, motion sickness, medications, reflux, anxiety, vestibular disorders.

 Symptom

Vomiting

Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of gastric contents. The main risk is dehydration. In children and the elderly, it progresses more rapidly.

 Condition

Helicobacter pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the gastric mucosa. It affects 30-50% of the population. It causes chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, and is a risk factor for gastric cancer and MALT lymphoma.

 Condition

Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)

GERD = pathological regurgitation of gastric contents into the esophagus, with symptoms and/or complications. It affects 10-20% of the population. Untreated, it can lead to esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, cancer.

Frequently asked questions

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?

Find the nearest pharmacy
— with prices and stock.

Open the map →