Duration of drug treatment?
In a previous section we told you about the importance
of taking your treatment correctly, in order to bring the symptoms of your acid-related
disorder under control and/or heal your condition. The duration of your drug treatment
depends on the type of acid-related disorder you have.
Reflux disease
The majority of heartburn sufferers only require a short course of treatment to
bring their symptoms under control, following which, they may only need to take
their treatment from time to time when symptoms flare up.
Patients with more severe reflux disease require an initial ‘healing’ course of
treatment, which may be followed by regular treatment to keep symptoms under control.
Peptic ulcer disease
If you have been treated for a peptic ulcer with a combination of antibiotics and
a drug that reduces acid production and become symptom-free, no further treatment
is required. If symptoms remain further investigations may be necessary. You may
be advised to remain on specific treatment for a longer period or indefinitely
NSAID-induced ulcers
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), for example, aspirin or ibuprofen,
may damage the stomach lining and cause ulcers. Initially your doctor will have
prescribed you an ulcer-healing course of “acid suppressing” treatment.
If you need to continue taking NSAIDs you may be prescribed acid-suppressing treatment,
at a lower ‘maintenance’ dose, possibly on a long-term basis.
It is important that you:
- Inform your doctor if your original symptoms return
- Continue taking your treatment as advised by your doctor
- Continue with your lifestyle changes.