Are TUMS and ROLAIDS safe for ulcer pains?
Tums, Rolaids and other over-the-counter self-proclaimed “treatment” for peptic ulcers or hyperacidity are quite popular among lay people. These will not cure hyperacidity or peptic ulcers. If the symptoms persist, it is most prudent to seek medical consultation. Remember, peptic ulcers can have life-threatening complications if not properly treated, and cancer of the stomach must be ruled out as the cause of the symptoms. What is the treatment? For Peptic Ulcer due to H. pylori infection, the combination of bismuth, metronidazole and tetracycline cures about 80% of this infection, leading to ulcer healing. Proton pump inhibitors capsules, H2 Blocker pills, and antacids are other adjunctive modalities of the comprehensive regimen many physicians use in conjunction with the triple antibiotic therapy above. How about surgery? Surgery used to be very common for peptic ulcer disease. With the discovery of H. pylori infection as the major cause of peptic ulcer disease, surgery has declined
