What precautions should be taken when taking medication to treat stomach acid?

We all know that under normal circumstances, the stomach helps us digest food. In fact, it is the gastric acid in the stomach that digests food. Gastric acid has the function of sterilization, digesting protein, promoting the secretion of pancreatic juice and bile, and promoting the absorption of calcium and iron. However, when there is too much stomach acid, it will damage the stomach and cause some stomach diseases. Nowadays, the pace of life is fast and many people are busy with work. When they experience stomach discomfort, they often do not take it seriously, which makes the stomach problem more serious. Now let’s talk about what precautions to take when taking medication to treat gastric acid.

Note 1

When you suffer from stomach diseases such as gastric ulcers and have excessive stomach acid, you will usually experience symptoms such as heartburn, heartburn, and stomach discomfort. At this time, you need to take acid-suppressing drugs to counteract the secretion of stomach acid. There are many drugs that inhibit gastric acid secretion, the most commonly used ones include proton pump drugs and H2 receptor blockers.

Note 2

When using drugs to treat gastric acid suppression, it is best not to take antacids and drugs that suppress gastric acid secretion at the same time, because antacids will reduce the absorption and utilization of drugs that suppress gastric acid secretion after taking them. For example, it is best not to take acid-suppressing drugs such as omeprazole while taking the antacid sodium bicarbonate.

Note three

When taking gastrokinetic drugs such as metoclopramide, it is best not to take antacids and drugs that inhibit gastric acid secretion, because metoclopramide is a drug that promotes gastric motility. After absorption, it can increase gastric peristalsis. If you take drugs that inhibit gastric acid secretion while taking metoclopramide, it will shorten the residence time of the drugs that inhibit gastric acid secretion in the stomach, thereby weakening the effect of acid-suppressing drugs or antacid drugs.

Note 4

The time for taking drugs that inhibit gastric acid should not be too long. Some people take drugs that inhibit gastric acid secretion continuously after suffering from stomach problems, such as omeprazole and other drugs. These drugs will inhibit gastric acid secretion after taking them. Taking them in the short term can have a good effect in inhibiting gastric acid secretion. If taken for a long time, drug resistance will occur. Long-term use may also cause uncomfortable feelings such as stomach bloating and discomfort. In severe cases, it may even lead to atrophic gastritis.

Note five

Patients with gastric ulcers or erosive gastritis usually need to take gastric mucosal protective agents at the same time as taking drugs that inhibit gastric acid secretion. However, since gastric mucosal protective agents need to form a protective film in an acidic environment, it is best to leave an interval of about 1 hour between taking gastric mucosal protective agents and taking drugs that inhibit gastric acid secretion.

Note 6

Antacids and drugs that inhibit gastric acid secretion are often used to treat people with reflux esophagitis, gastric ulcers, erosive gastritis, and Ehrlich syndrome because these people have increased stomach acid levels. Patients with atrophic gastritis should not take drugs that inhibit gastric acid secretion, because the gastric acid secretion of patients with atrophic gastritis is reduced. If they take drugs that inhibit gastric acid secretion, the condition will be further aggravated.