Digestive
Medicines for Gastritis
Inflammation of the lining of the stomach — causing indigestion-type pain, nausea and feeling full — usually managed by tackling the cause and reducing stomach acid.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Gastritis?
Gastritis is inflammation of the lining of the stomach. It often causes an indigestion-type pain or burning in the upper tummy, nausea, and a feeling of being full or bloated soon after starting to eat.
- How it is treated: Treatment is built around two things: finding and removing the cause, and reducing the acid that irritates the inflamed lining.
- Self-care: Simple measures support recovery: avoid or cut down on alcohol, stop smoking, and steer clear of anti-inflammatory painkillers where you can, choosing an alternative pain reliever instead.
- When to seek help: See a GP if indigestion-type symptoms are persistent, keep coming back, or do not settle with pharmacy treatment, so the cause can be checked.
What it is
Gastritis is inflammation of the lining of the stomach. It often causes an indigestion-type pain or burning in the upper tummy, nausea, and a feeling of being full or bloated soon after starting to eat. Sometimes there are few symptoms at all. Common causes include infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), which is a frequent trigger of long-standing gastritis; regular use of anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen and aspirin (NSAIDs), which can irritate and erode the lining; and drinking a lot of alcohol. The inflammation can range from mild and short-lived to more persistent, and in some people it overlaps with other upper-gut problems such as acid reflux or stomach and duodenal ulcers.
How it is treated
Treatment is built around two things: finding and removing the cause, and reducing the acid that irritates the inflamed lining. Where H. pylori is suspected it is tested for (by a breath, stool or blood test), and if found it is cleared with eradication therapy — a short course combining antibiotics with acid suppression. If anti-inflammatory painkillers are the culprit they are stopped or reviewed, and cutting down alcohol helps the lining recover. To ease symptoms and let the lining heal, stomach acid is lowered with a proton pump inhibitor or, as an alternative, an H2-blocker, while antacids and alginates can settle symptoms more quickly. Because NSAIDs and aspirin are a common cause of gastritis, they are used cautiously in anyone prone to it, and a stomach-protecting medicine may be advised if such a painkiller is genuinely needed. The right combination depends on the cause and how troublesome the symptoms are.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Gastritis
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Symptom checker
Symptoms that can point to Gastritis
Gastritis can be one cause of these symptoms. Each guide explains the other possible causes and the red-flag warning signs that mean you should get urgent help:
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Simple measures support recovery: avoid or cut down on alcohol, stop smoking, and steer clear of anti-inflammatory painkillers where you can, choosing an alternative pain reliever instead. Eating smaller, regular meals, not lying down straight after eating, and noticing which foods or drinks set your symptoms off can all help while the lining settles.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
See a GP if indigestion-type symptoms are persistent, keep coming back, or do not settle with pharmacy treatment, so the cause can be checked. Some symptoms need urgent assessment: bringing up blood or what looks like coffee grounds, or passing black, tarry stools (signs of bleeding); unexplained weight loss; difficulty or pain on swallowing; persistent vomiting; or new indigestion that starts over the age of 55. Severe, sudden tummy pain should be treated as an emergency.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Gastritis: frequently asked questions
What medicines are used for gastritis?
Treatment usually combines reducing stomach acid with tackling the cause. Acid is lowered with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) or, as an alternative, an H2-blocker, while antacids and alginates give quicker symptom relief. If the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is found, it is cleared with eradication therapy — antibiotics together with acid suppression. Where anti-inflammatory painkillers are the cause, they are stopped or reviewed.
Can painkillers cause gastritis?
Yes. Anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen and aspirin (NSAIDs) are a common cause, because they can irritate and erode the stomach lining. If you are prone to gastritis these are used cautiously, an alternative pain reliever is often preferred, and a stomach-protecting medicine may be advised if an anti-inflammatory is genuinely needed.
What is Helicobacter pylori and how is it treated?
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium that commonly infects the stomach and is a frequent cause of long-standing gastritis and ulcers. It is tested for with a breath, stool or blood test, and if found it is cleared with eradication therapy — a short course combining antibiotics with acid-suppressing medicine. Clearing it helps the lining heal and reduces the chance of problems coming back.
Does alcohol make gastritis worse?
It can. Drinking a lot of alcohol is itself a cause of gastritis and can irritate an already inflamed lining, so cutting down or avoiding alcohol gives the stomach a better chance to recover. Stopping smoking and avoiding anti-inflammatory painkillers where possible help in the same way.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CKS: Dyspepsia - unidentified cause.
- BNF: Helicobacter pylori infection.
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