Common Medications for Treating Duodenal Ulcers

For treating duodenal ulcers, a combination of acid suppressants and mucosal protective agents is typically recommended. If a patient is infected with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a quadruple therapy regimen is often prescribed to eradicate the bacteria. Below are the commonly used medications categorized by their function:

Acid Suppressants

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most widely used medications for reducing stomach acid. Examples include Omeprazole, Rabeprazole, and Pantoprazole. These drugs are highly effective in controlling gastric acid secretion. By taking these medications, the pH level of gastric acid can be increased from a highly acidic range of 1.5–3.5 to a less harmful level of 4–7, significantly reducing irritation to the ulcerated area of the duodenum.

Mucosal Protective Agents

Medications such as Hydrotalcite, Maalox, and others like Gaviscon or Ebrotidine help form a protective layer over the ulcer site. This barrier shields the affected tissue from the harmful effects of gastric acid and food particles, promoting faster healing and reducing discomfort.

H. pylori Eradication Therapy

It is estimated that about 70–80% of patients with duodenal ulcers also have an H. pylori infection. In such cases, a quadruple therapy approach is recommended. This regimen usually includes a proton pump inhibitor, two antibiotics (such as Amoxicillin and Clarithromycin), and a bismuth-containing compound like De-Nol (Bismuth Subcitrate Potassium). This treatment lasts between 10 to 40 days and has an eradication success rate of approximately 80–90%.

Healing Timeline

When using a combination of acid suppressants and mucosal protective agents without H. pylori infection, the treatment duration is typically around 6 to 8 weeks for optimal healing. However, with proper eradication therapy for H. pylori, the ulcer healing process can be significantly accelerated, and the risk of recurrence is greatly reduced.