Gastritis | Better Health Channel
Gastritis may be caused by many factors including infection, alcohol, particular medications and some allergic and immune conditions.
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Gastritis medicines
Key facts
- There are different medicines used to treat gastritis (inflammation of the stomach).
- Gastritis medicines treat both your symptoms and the inflammation in your stomach.
- Acid-reducing medicines and antibiotics are the main types of medicines used to treat gastritis.
- If you have H.pylori infection, take the whole course of treatment.
What are gastritis medicines?
Gastritis medicines help relieve your symptoms and treat the cause of gastritis.
Gastritis is when your stomach lining becomes inflamed (irritated, swollen and red). It has several causes, including infection. Your treatment will depend on the cause.
How do gastritis medicines work?
Gastritis medicines may:
- reduce stomach acid
- treat an infection caused by Helicobacter pylori (also called H. pylori), which is one cause of gastritis
What types of gastritis medicines might I be prescribed?
The medicines your doctor prescribes will depend on:
- your symptoms
- the type of gastritis you have
- the cause of your gastritis
H2 blockers
H2 blockers are medicines that reduce stomach acid. They include:
- famotidine
- nizatidine
- ranitidine
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
PPIs also reduce the amount of acid in your stomach. They include:
- esomeprazole
- lansoprazole
- omeprazole
- pantoprazole
- rabeprazole
Antacids
Antacids work by neutralising the acid that is in your stomach. They may help improve your symptoms. You will also need to take other medicines to properly treat gastritis.
Helicobacter pylori treatment
If you have an infection with Helicobacter pylori, this may be treated with a combination of antibiotics, such as:
- amoxycillin
- clarithromycin
You will need to take these as well as a medicine to reduce stomach acid — usually esomeprazole.
It's important to take these medicines as instructed by your doctor. Make sure you finish the full course of antibiotics.
If you are allergic to penicillin, your doctor may recommend an antibiotic called metronidazole instead of amoxycillin.
After treatment, your doctor will order a test to check it has worked.
As well as gastritis, H. pylori infection can cause:
Do gastritis medicines have any side effects or risks associated with them?
If you have gastritis, discuss with your doctor:
- the benefits of medicines for gastritis
- the risks of these medicines
H2 blockers
H2 blockers don't cause many side effects. Rare side effects are:
- confusion
- rash
- problems with your blood cells
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
PPIs also cause few side effects. The most common side effects of PPIs are:
- headache
- nausea (feeling sick)
- vomiting (being sick)
- diarrhoea
- tummy pain
- constipation
- flatulence (passing wind)
Proton pump inhibitors are effective for short-term use. Long-term use isn't recommended for most people, especially older people.
Antacids
Antacids can stop some other medicines from working properly. Take antacids at least 1 hour before or 1 hour after taking your other medicines. Antacids can also cause constipation or diarrhoea. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about this.
If you take antacids regularly as an older person, they could increase your chances of getting kidney problems over time.
Helicobacter pylori treatment
Possible side effects from H. pylori treatment are:
- nausea
- changes to your sense of taste
- diarrhoea
- skin rashes
You should not drink alcohol if you are taking metronidazole. This can cause an unpleasant reaction.
Rare but serious side effects can include:
- an infection of the bowel called 'pseudomembranous enterocolitis'
- an allergic reaction to antibiotics
When should I see my doctor?
See your doctor if you have ongoing gastritis symptoms. Also see your doctor if you have side effects when taking your gastritis medicines.
Are there any alternatives to these medicines?
Avoiding non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and alcohol can improve gastritis in some people.
The treatment of gastritis depends on the cause.
Resources and support
The Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA) has information on conditions that affect your gastrointestinal system.
The Gut Foundation also has information on gastrointestinal and digestive health.
You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Last reviewed: March 2025
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