USA 7-day delivery — Free shipping on orders $49+
AmozOnPill
Condition guide · /gastro/
Gastro and digestive health
Reviewed by Dr. Arjun Mehta, PharmD — Head Pharmacist. Updated May 2025.
20%
PPI
First-line GERD
4–8 wks
Healing course
H. pylori
Cause of most ulcers
About this condition
Digestive complaints — acid reflux, indigestion, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel — are some of the commonest reasons people see a doctor. Most respond very well to medication once the cause is identified.
Acid-related disease (GERD, ulcers) is treated primarily with proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) like pantoprazole or esomeprazole, which strongly reduce stomach-acid production. Peptic ulcers caused by H. pylori infection also need a course of antibiotics (triple therapy). For IBS and functional dyspepsia, treatment is more individualised.
Treatment options
Proton-pump inhibitors
Pantoprazole, esomeprazole, rabeprazole. First-line for reflux and ulcers. Once daily before breakfast.
H2 blockers
Famotidine. Useful for breakthrough symptoms on top of a PPI, or in patients who don’t tolerate PPIs.
Antibiotics for H. pylori
Triple therapy: PPI + amoxicillin + clarithromycin for 7–14 days. Cure rates above 80%.
Antispasmodics
Hyoscine, mebeverine. Used for cramp-type IBS pain. Symptom relief rather than cure.
Common questions
How long should I take a PPI?
Most people use a PPI for 4–8 weeks for healing, then step down. Long-term use is reasonable for severe reflux or Barrett’s oesophagus, but should be reviewed yearly.
Should I be tested for H. pylori?
Yes if you have a peptic ulcer or persistent dyspepsia. A simple breath or stool test confirms infection
Are PPIs dangerous long-term?
Generally safe, but very long-term use is associated with slightly lower B12 and magnesium and small increases in some risks. Use the lowest effective dose.
Dr. Arjun Mehta, PharmD · Head Pharmacist
/our-pharmacists/arjun-mehta/ — Reviewed May 2025
This guide is reviewed every 12 months or sooner when clinical guidance changes. If you have a specific medical question, call our pharmacist team — we answer the phone, not a bot.
