Conditions and symptoms
What Is a Gastric Ulcer? Stomach Ulcers and NSAID Warnings
Gastric ulcer · say it: GAS-trik UL-serAlso written: stomach ulcer, peptic ulcer, gastric ulceration
Short answer
A gastric ulcer is an open sore in the lining of the stomach, often caused by H. pylori infection or anti-inflammatory painkillers.
What it means
A gastric ulcer is a break or sore in the inner lining of the stomach. Together with duodenal ulcers (in the first part of the small intestine), they are called peptic ulcers. The two most common causes are infection with H. pylori bacteria and regular use of NSAID painkillers such as ibuprofen or aspirin. Symptoms can include a burning or gnawing pain in the upper tummy, indigestion and feeling full quickly. Vomiting blood, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, or black, tarry stools are signs of bleeding that need urgent medical help.
Gastric ulcers appear on NSAID labels as a serious risk, often in a boxed warning about stomach bleeding, ulcers and perforation. They also appear on proton pump inhibitor and H2 blocker labels as conditions those medicines treat or help prevent.
A gastric ulcer is different from gastritis, which is inflammation of the stomach lining without a full sore. It is also different from heartburn, which comes from acid in the food pipe.
Where you may see it
- Boxed warnings on NSAID labels
- Indications on proton pump inhibitor and H2 blocker labels
- Endoscopy and biopsy reports
📄 How it looks on a report
NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines.
🙅 What it does not mean
- Stomach pain does not always mean an ulcer. Tests such as endoscopy can confirm it.
- An ulcer can bleed without much pain beforehand, which is why the NSAID warning matters.
- Ulcers are not mainly caused by stress or spicy food; H. pylori and NSAIDs are the main causes.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Gastric ulcer”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Clopidogrel
A platelet inhibitor of the P2Y12 type (a thienopyridine). It is a blood thinner that keeps platelets from sticking together.
- Dexamethasone
A corticosteroid, a synthetic adrenocortical steroid medicine that lowers inflammation and suppresses the immune system
- Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride
an antihistamine (an antihistaminic agent) given by injection into a vein or deep into a muscle
- Famotidine
A histamine-2 (H2) receptor blocker, a type of medicine that lowers stomach acid.
- Prednisone
a corticosteroid, a type of steroid medicine that works like the adrenocortical (adrenal gland) steroids the body makes naturally
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Gastric ulcer” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- NCI Dictionary definition ↗
US National Cancer Institute: “peptic ulcer”
Seeing this word on your own report? Get every line of it explained, free.
Explain my report🧩 Related words
🔎 Look up another word
More words: conditions and symptoms
General information about a medical word, not advice about your own results. Ask the clinician who ordered the test what it means for you.