Description
Most peptic ulcers occur in the stomach or proximal duodenum but can also occur in the oesophagus (with oesophageal reflux).
Signs and Symptoms
- Epigastric pain
- Indigestion
- Flatulence
- Heartburn
- Anorexia: weight loss may occur
Investigations
- Endoscopy
- Barium meal
NB: Many patients, particularly the young presenting with indigestion, can be treated symptomatically for 4-5 weeks without investigation.
Treatment
Refer to section on Gastritis where available or as below
Anti-acids
- Magnesium trisilicate compound chewable tablet 250 - 500mg to chew when required or
- Aluminium hydroxide chewable tablet 500mg - 1g to chew when required
OR
- Magnesium trisilicate suspension 250mg with dried Aluminium (indicate strength /per ml)hydroxide 120mg 10ml orally 3 times daily OR
- Aluminium hydroxide (dried Aluminium hydroxide 500mg) 5 - 10ml orally 4 times daily; Children 6 - 12 years 5ml orally 3 times daily.
- Adults 1 - 4 tablets to be chewed 4 times daily between meals and at bedtime or as required.
Anti-Secretory Agent
- H2–receptor antagonists
Cimetidine 400mg tablets twice daily (with breakfast and at night) or 800mg at night for at least 4 weeks.
Maintenance 400mg at night or 400mg morning and night.
Reflux oesophagitis:
- Cimetidine 400mg 4 times daily for 4 – 8
OR
- Ranitidine 150mg tablets twice daily (with breakfast and at night) or 300mg at night for 4 – 8 weeks, up to 6 weeks in chronic episodic dyspepsia. Maintenance 150mg at night.
- Ranitidine 150mg twice daily or 300mg at night for up to 8 weeks or if necessary 12 weeks
OR
- Famotidine 20-40mg once daily up to 8 weeks
b. Proton pump inhibitors
- Omeprazole 20mg tablets daily for 4 weeks followed by a further 4 – 8 weeks if not fully
- Long term management of acid reflux Omeprazole 10mg daily increasing up to 20mg if symptoms return. Not recommended for children under 3kg
- Children under 3kg - 5kg 0.7 to 1.4mg/kg daily
- Child 5 to 10kg: 5mg once daily in morning, child 10kg to 20kg: 10mg once daily in morning
OR
- Esomeprazole 20-40mg once daily for 4-8 weeks
OR
- Rabeprazole 20mg twice daily for 4-8 weeks
c. Tripotassium dicitrabismuthate (Bismuth chelate)
- Liquid 12mg/5ml. 10ml twice daily or 5ml 4 times daily for 28 days followed by a further 28 days if necessary. Not recommended for children.
- Tablets 120mg. 2 tablets twice daily or 1 tablet 4 times daily for 28 days followed by a further 28 days if necessary.
d. Triple therapy regimens
14-day regimen
- Amoxycillin 1g 2 times daily Plus
- Metronidazole 400mg 2 times daily Plus
- Omeprazole 20mg twice daily or 40mg once daily for 14 days
OR
Alternative: Clarithromycin 500mg daily twice daily Plus Metronidazole 400mg (or Tinidazole 500mg) twice daily for 7 days Plus Omeprazole 20mg twice daily for 14 days.
Complications
- Change of the oesophageal mucosa (Barrett’s oesophagus) which is
- Anaemia and frank haemorrhage
- Recurrent aspiration pneumonia when stricture formation is present
- Perforation of peptic ulcer
- Pyloric stenosis