Topic Overview

Take antacids or acid reducers to relieve your symptoms of peptic ulcer.

• Antacids (such as Tums, Maalox, or Mylanta) reduce the amount of acid in your stomach.
• Acid reducers (such as Pepcid or Prilosec) reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces. Reducing the amount of acid in your stomach helps your ulcer heal.

If you are taking one of these medicines to help your symptoms for more than 10 to 14 days at a time, or if your symptoms are very bad, call your doctor.

If you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before choosing an antacid. Some antacids have a high salt (sodium) content.

See the Medications section of this topic for more information on using antacids.