Treatment for peptic ulcers depends on their cause. Treatment typically involves killing the Helicobacter pylori bacteria if present, eliminating or reducing the need for NSAIDs, if possible, and helping your ulcer heal with medication.

Medications may include:

1. Antibiotics to kill the Helicobacter pylori bacteria. If Helicobacter pylori is present in your digestive tract, your doctor may recommend a combination of antibiotics to kill the bacteria. This may include amoxicillin (Amoxil), clarithromycin (Biaxin), metronidazole (Flagyl), tinidazole (Tindamax), tetracycline (Tetracycline HCl), and levofloxacin (Levaquin).

The antibiotics used will depend on where you live and current antibiotic resistance rates. You'll likely need to take antibiotics for two weeks, along with other medications to reduce stomach acid, including proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). You may also be given bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol).

2. Medications that block acid production and promote healing. Proton pump inhibitors reduce stomach acid by inhibiting the activity of acid-producing parts of the cells. These include prescription and over-the-counter medications, such as omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), esomeprazole (Nexium), and pantoprazole (Protonix).

Long-term use of PPIs, especially at high doses, may increase your risk of hip, wrist, and spine fractures. Ask your doctor if taking calcium supplements might reduce this risk.

3. Medications to reduce acid production. Acid blockers—also called histamine (H-2) blockers—reduce the amount of stomach acid released into the digestive tract, relieving ulcer pain and promoting healing.

Acid blockers, which are available over-the-counter, include famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine (Tagamet HB), and nizatidine (Axid AR).

4. Antacids that neutralize stomach acid. Your doctor may add an antacid to your medication regimen. Antacids neutralize existing stomach acid and can quickly relieve pain. Side effects can include constipation or diarrhea, depending on the main ingredients.

Antacids can relieve symptoms, but they are generally not used to heal ulcers.

5. Medications that protect the lining of your stomach and small intestine. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medications called cytoprotective agents, which help protect the tissue lining your stomach and small intestine.

Prescription options include sucralfate (Sarafate) and misoprostol (Cytotec).

1. Endoscopy. Your doctor may use endoscopy to examine your upper gastrointestinal tract. During endoscopy, your doctor passes a hollow tube with a lens (endoscope) down your throat and into your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Your doctor uses endoscopy to look for ulcers.

If your doctor detects an ulcer, he or she may take a small tissue sample (biopsy) for laboratory testing. The sample will also reveal whether Helicobacter pylori is present in your stomach lining.

Your doctor is more likely to recommend endoscopy if you are older, have signs of bleeding, have recently lost weight, or have difficulty eating and swallowing. If the endoscopy shows an ulcer in your stomach, you should have a follow-up endoscopy after treatment to verify that it has healed, even if your symptoms improve.

2. Upper GI X-ray series. An upper GI X-ray series produces images of your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. This procedure is sometimes called a barium swallow. During the X-ray, you swallow a white liquid (containing barium) that floods your digestive tract and makes the ulcer more visible.

Blood and urine tests

EKG and X-rays for those over 40

Hair removal at the procedure site

Shower and clean thoroughly on the day of the procedure