Ulcer medicine that is suitable for you based on its function

Ulcer disease is a group of symptoms that arise due to digestive problems. One way to quickly overcome ulcers is by taking medication. Medicines help relieve heartburn symptoms by working directly on the condition that is causing them.

How do you determine the most effective ulcer medication for you? See the following drug recommendations.

Choice of drugs to treat heartburn symptoms

Ulcer is a very common condition. This indigestion can be caused by various things, such as a bacterial infection H. pylori, side effects of using NSAIDs, or certain health problems.

You can treat ulcers by paying attention to food choices and stopping the use of trigger drugs. However, if this doesn't work, there are various drugs with different functions that can help relieve ulcer symptoms.

So that you don't make the wrong choice, let's discuss one by one the commonly consumed heartburn drugs, as quoted from the following page of The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

1. Antacids

Antacids or antacids are drugs to neutralize stomach acid. This drug can treat diseases of the digestive tract caused by stomach acid, such as ulcers in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines with symptoms of stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Antacids are usually produced in liquid or tablet form that can dissolve in drinking water. The main ingredient of commonly used antacid drugs is calcium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate.

Antacids should be taken after you eat, as they will last longer. This ulcer drug can affect the performance of other drugs. Therefore, give pause for 2 - 4 hours if you want to take other medications.

Acid-neutralizing drugs such as antacids are usually given as the first line of treatment. However, please note that not everyone is allowed to take this drug. There are several groups that require a doctor's approval

These groups include pregnant or nursing mothers, children under 12 years of age, or people with heart disease and liver problems. Although rare, there is still a risk of side effects such as constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, stomach cramps, and nausea.

2. Antibiotics

One of the causes of heartburn is a bacterial infection Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) on the stomach wall. The bacteria that naturally live in the digestive tract are actually harmless. However, when the numbers got out of hand, H. pylori can cause infection.

Ulcer symptoms that arise due to bacterial infection can be treated by taking antibiotics. This ulcer drug works by killing bacteria directly so that the infection does not get worse.

Some of the antibiotics that are usually prescribed to treat ulcers include amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, tetracycline, or tinidazole. The use of this drug must be supervised by a doctor, because it can cause antibiotic resistance if taken carelessly.

Antibiotic resistance indicates that the bacteria has become resistant to the antibiotic and so this drug is no longer effective. Apart from resistance, the use of antibiotics can also cause side effects such as nausea and vomiting.

3. Histamine blockers (H2 blockers)

The next heartburn drug that you can make as an option is H2 blockers. This drug works by inhibiting the effect of histamine in the body.

Examples of drugs containing H2 receptor blockers are raniditine, famotidine, cimetidine, and nizatidine.

The drug of this class, especially ranitidine, was withdrawn from circulation by the BPOM because its effects were considered dangerous. However, ranitidine has now been proven safe and can be used again.

However, there is still a risk of side effects, such as constipation, diarrhea, headaches, and dry mouth. You can take this drug 1-2 times a day before or after meals to avoid the risk of side effects.

Like antacids, not everyone can take this heartburn medication. Those with kidney problems or on a diet low in calcium or salt should consult their doctor to see if they can take it.

4.Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)

The walls of your stomach produce stomach acid to help digest food and kill germs. Unfortunately, the excess production of acid by stomach lining cells can cause ulcer symptoms.

To inhibit the function of cells that produce stomach acid, you can take ulcer medication with a PPI type (proton pump inhibitors). PPI drugs are available over the counter and by prescription.

It is called a PPI because this heartburn drug works by inhibiting a chemical system called the hydrogen-potassium adenosine triphosphatase enzyme system. This system is also known as the proton pump.

The proton pump system is found in the cells of the stomach wall that produce stomach acid. With this medicine, stomach acid production will decrease and the symptoms will subside. Some examples of PPI drugs are:

esomeprazole,
pantoprazole,
rabeprazole,
lansoprazole, and
omeprazole.

PPI drugs are not recommended for use by people who have liver problems. For pregnant women and nursing mothers, only omeprazole should be taken as long as it is used under a doctor's supervision.

Consult your doctor first if you are taking blood thinners or epilepsy drugs.

PPI drugs also have a number of side effects like other types of drugs. However, the side effects that do occur are usually harmless and include constipation, diarrhea, headache, nausea, or vomiting.

Use ulcer medication according to the cause

The types and functions of ulcer drugs that can be purchased over the counter at pharmacies are very diverse. However, that does not mean you can choose it carelessly. You need to know in advance what causes the appearance of ulcer symptoms.

For example, if you experience heartburn symptoms due to inflammation of the stomach lining related to infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. Although it can treat stomach ulcers, you cannot take this medicine if the cause is not a bacterial infection.

So that the medicine you choose is suitable, consultation with a doctor is needed. Immediately consult a doctor if you experience ulcer symptoms such as stomach nausea, pain, bloating, frequent belching, and a burning sensation in the esophagus.

Your doctor may ask you to do a series of medical examinations. The examination consists of imaging tests, blood tests, and bacteria detection tests Helicobacter pylori stool or breath to determine the exact cause of the symptoms.

Home care so that ulcer drugs work faster

Taking medication can indeed relieve heartburn quickly. This step will be effective if you use the medicine according to the advice and instructions from your doctor. Conversely, as long as you take ulcer medication, it could worsen your condition.

However, this is also not the only way to deal with ulcers because symptoms can recur at any time, interfering with your activities. You can optimize your treatment by participating in home remedies.

Here are home remedies that can help the performance of ulcer medicines.

Avoid foods that cause ulcers, such as spicy, acidic, high-gas, and high-fat foods.
Not one big meal. Better to eat small portions, but more often (eg 4 - 6 times a day).
Do not eat at night (before bed) or pause 2 or 3 hours after eating if you want to sleep.
Quit smoking, reduce alcohol, and limit the consumption of foods or drinks containing caffeine.
Practice relieving stress, anxiety, and fear by engaging in hobbies or things you enjoy.
Limit the use of painkillers, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen so as not to overdo it.
Always maintain cleanliness to prevent bacterial infections from reoccurring.

Taking medication is the fastest way to deal with recurring ulcer symptoms. If over-the-counter medicines at pharmacies don't work, you can also get prescription drugs under the supervision of a doctor.

However, ulcer treatment will only be effective if it is adjusted to the cause. Therefore, make sure you always consult your doctor before starting to take ulcer medications of any kind.