Is the Prilosec OTC Acid Reducer safe for people with stomach ulcers?”
Prilosec is a former prescription product in a class of medicines called proton pump inhibitors. This means that the effect of Prilosec is to decrease stomach acid production. This is also beneficial for treatment of stomach ulcers, which need a minimal acid environment to heal. Prilosec is taken once a day for 14 days in a typical course (thus, it is generally packaged in groups of 14 tablets). Most people have considerable relief beyond the 14 day course. It is not a product to take for immediate (within minutes) treatment of heartburn. The insert on the box states it takes at least a day to 4 days to reach its full effect. Each person will vary in terms of relief and how long the relief lasts. If you are using OTC acid reducers (such as Prilosec OTC or Pepcid AC) to help with your symptoms for more than 10 to 14 days at a time, or if your symptoms are very bad, it is important that you see your doctor.
Ulcers in the stomach (gastric ulcers) often heal more slowly than ulcers in the upper small intestine (duodenal ulcers). For people who have peptic ulcer disease and are known to be infected with H. pylori,doctors recommend combination therapy that includes at least two antibiotics, an acid reducer (usually a proton pump inhibitor), and sometimes a bismuth compound. These combination regimens cure infections 80% to 90% of the time.4, 5 Successful treatment of the infection greatly reduces the chances that the ulcer will come back. You can get some H2 blockers and PPIs without a prescription (over-the-counter or OTC). If you are using OTC acid reducers (such as Prilosec OTC or Pepcid AC) to help with your symptoms for more than 10 to 14 days at a time, or if your symptoms are very bad, it is important that you see your doctor. Most peptic ulcers can be cured and prevented from returning by eliminating Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections and avoiding use of nonsteroidal anti-infl
