Recent Medication for Peptic Ulcers

Élaboration , 2018 , 7 Pages , Note: 1

Médecine - Thérapie

Peptic ulcer has become one of the leading gastrointestinal (GIT) disorders. This phenomenon is attributable to the causes of the ulcers, especially Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections which are difficult to treat . They are also caused by acid production from the gastric lining. Therefore, treatment with recent medication depends on the cause of peptic ulcers. Currently, there are different forms of medication used for treating peptic ulcers comprising of antibiotics, acid blockers, antacids, and cytoprotective agents.

This article provides a comprehensive discussion on recent medication for peptic ulcers.

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Introduction

Peptic ulcer has become one of the leading gastrointestinal (GIT) disorders. This

phenomenon is attributable to the causes of the ulcers, especially Helicobacter pylori (H.

pylori) infections which are difficult to treat

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. They are also caused by acid production from

the gastric lining. Therefore, treatment with recent medication depends on the cause of peptic

ulcers. Currently, there are different forms of medication used for treating peptic ulcers

comprising of antibiotics, acid blockers, antacids, and cytoprotective agents. This article

provides a comprehensive discussion on recent medication for peptic ulcers.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are used to eradicate H. pylori bacteria which cause sores in the GIT

lining, especially the stomach and intestines. Currently, there are several regimens that have

been approved for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease. One of these regimens is the triple

therapies comprising of Clarithromycin and amoxicillin as the principal antibiotics

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.

Clarithromycin

Clarithromycin is long-acting antibiotic that is formulated as tablets and suspension

for oral administration. It belongs to macrolide antibiotics and its mechanism of action

involves the inhibition of bacteria growth by preventing the formation of cellwall

components.

Indications

This agent is indicated for the treatment of H. pylori infection in combination with

other drugs. It is also used to treat other bacterial infections primarily bronchitis, pneumonia

and infections of the skin, sinuses, ears, and throat.

Side effects

Side effects associated with clarithromycin include nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain,

vomiting, and change in taste. Other mild side effects are heartburn and headache. It is also

1

Huang, Jia-Qing, Sridhar Subbaramiah and Hunt Richard. "Role of Helicobacter pylori infection and

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in peptic-ulcer disease: a meta-analysis." The Lancet 359, no.

9300 (2000): 14.

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Arcangelo, Virginia and Peterson Andrew. Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice: A Practical

Approach, Volume 536 (Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2006) 377

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known to cause serious side effects such as rash, itching, hives, difficulty in swallowing or

breathing, blistering skin, fever, extreme tiredness, and muscle weakness. Other serious side

effects include loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin, irregular heartbeat, double vision, and

unusual bleeding. In addition, it causes swelling of the limbs, eyes, throat, lips, and the face.

Contraindications

Clarithromycin is not recommended for patients with jaundice, ventricular arrhythmia

or extended QT interval. It is also not recommended for pregnant or lactating mothers. This

drug interacts with a wide range of drugs including astemizole, colchicines, cisapride,

ergotamine, lovastatin, terfenadine, simvastatin, and pimozide. Other medications that

interact with clarithromycin are anticoagulants: warfarin; certain benzodiazepines:

midazolam and triazolam alprazolam; calcium channel blockers: diltiazem, verapamil and

amlodipine; bromocriptine; cholesterol lowering drugs: pravastatin and atorvastatin; diabetes

medication: repaglinide, nateglinide, pioglitazone, and rosiglitazone; rifampin; sildenafil;

tolterodine; tadalafil; and theophylline.

Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that is available in different formulations: tablet, capsule,

pediatric drops, suspension, and chewable tablet. It belongs to the class of penicillin-like

antibiotics; thus it kills H. pylori bacteria through inhibiting cellwall formation. As such, it

prevents bacterial growth leading to its eradication.

Indications

Amoxicillin is combined with other medications to eliminate H. pylori infection

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. It is

also indicated for certain bacterial infections such as gonorrhea, pneumonia, bronchitis, and

other bacterial infections of the urinary tract, throat, nose, ear, and skin.

Side effects

Some of the mild side effects that are associated to amoxicillin are diarrhea, vomiting

and upset stomach. It is also known to cause serious side effects such as seizure, hives,

unusual bleeding, yellowing of the eyes or skin, and excessive tiredness. Moreover, pale skin

and lack of energy are also considered as serious side effects that are caused by amoxicillin.

Contraindications

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Buch, George. Pharmacology ReCap 2.0 for Bachelor of Dentistry Students (Gujarat: Quick Review

of Pharmacology, 2010) 378.

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Amoxicillin is known to interact with chloramphenicol and probenecid. It is also

worth noting that amoxicillin is not recommended for patients with kidney disease, asthma,

allergies, and phenylketonuria.

Medications for Blocking Acid Production

Treatment and management of peptic ulcer comprises of regimens that block acid

production; a condition which is stimulated by H. pylori bacteria. Recent medications include

omeprazole, lansoprazole, ranitidine, cimetidine, and famotidine.

Omeprazole

This medication belongs to the class of proton pump inhibitors

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. It blocks the action

of acid-producing cells in the stomach, in order to block the release of acid into the stomach,

and prevent ulcerations on the gastric linings.

Indications

Omeprazole is indicated for the treatment of ulcers caused by H. pylori bacteria. It

also treats Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, a condition characterized by excessive acid

production in the stomach. In addition, omeprazole can be prescribed for the treatment of

gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Side effects

Omeprazole causes mild and adverse side effects. Mild side effects associated with

the drug are constipation, nausea, headache, and vomiting. On the other hand, severe side

effects include rash, itching, hives, dizziness, seizures, muscle spasms, diarrhea, and fever

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.

Other side effects are irregular heartbeat, excessive tiredness, difficulty in swallowing,

hoarseness, and swelling of the ankles, eyes and throat.

Contraindications

Omeprazole interacts with a wide range of medications including ampicillin, warfarin,

diazepam, atazanavir, clopidogrel, cilostazol, and digoxin. It also interacts with diuretics,

saquinavir, Methotrexate, taclolimus, phenytoin, and cyclosporine. Moreover, antifungal

medications are known to interact with omeprazole.

4

Williams, Beverly and Paul Pauline. Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Canadian Medical-surgical Nursing

(Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2009), 1138.

5

Watkins, Cynthia. Pharmacology Clear & Simple: A Guide to Drug Classifications and Dosage

Calculations. (Philadelphia: F.A. Davis, 2013) 353.

• Université: Egerton University
• Note: 1
• Auteur: Patrick Kimuyu (Auteur)
• Année de publication: 2018
• Pages: 7
• N° de catalogue: V388475
• ISBN (ebook): 9783668624658
• ISBN (Livre): 9783668624665
• Langue: anglais
• mots-clé: recent, medication, peptic, ulcers