Does antibiotic treatment treat peptic ulcer?

A peptic ulcer is an open sore in the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine. Helicobacter pylori is one possible cause. When testing finds this infection, treatment commonly uses more than one antibiotic together with medicine that reduces stomach acid. The combination helps clear the infection and gives the ulcer a better environment to heal. Antibiotics do not treat every ulcer because pain-relieving medicines and other causes may be involved instead.

Arrange a medical review if you have persistent upper-abdominal pain, burning, nausea, or repeated indigestion. A clinician may review your medicines, assess warning symptoms, and choose testing for Helicobacter pylori. Take each prescribed medicine for the full planned course unless your prescriber changes it. Do not share antibiotics or use leftover tablets. Tell the clinician about previous antibiotic reactions, pregnancy, and medicines you take, because these can affect the treatment choice.

Seek urgent medical help for vomiting blood, black or tar-like stools, severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain, fainting, marked weakness, or a hard and swollen abdomen. These symptoms can signal bleeding or another complication and should not be managed by starting antibiotics at home.

Ask whether Helicobacter pylori testing is appropriate, which medicines are being prescribed and why, what to do if a dose is missed, and how you will know whether the ulcer and infection have cleared.