Anti-ulcerants are used to treat stomach ulcers and suppress gastric acid secretion. Let us find out if it is safe to take anti-ulcerants during pregnancy.Anti-ulcerants are a histamine H2 receptor antagonist. Accordingly, they inhibit gastric acid secretion and other actions of histamines mediated by H2 receptors. It is used in gastric and duodenal ulcer and other conditions where inhibition of gastric acid (hydrochloric acid) may be beneficial, but to be taken only under doctor's advice.
| Products: | Ranitidine, Famotidine |
| For Children: | Not recommended |
| For Pregnant Women: | Caution - use only if clearly indicated |
| For Breastfeeding Mothers: | Contra-indicated |
| Contra-indications*: | Hypersensitivity |
| Caution: | ----- |
Types of Some Other Anti-Ulcerants
Let us take a look at the different types of anti-ulcerants.
Proton Pump Inhibitors
These are given to block production of gastric acid. They get into your circulation and so should be avoided during pregnancy because it enters into your child’s circulation also.
H2 Antagonists
These are prescribed to slow down the production of gastric acid. These medicines also get into your circulation and hence possibilities of getting into your baby’s circulation are also there. Usually, these medicines are avoided to be taken during pregnancy just to dodge any risk.
Mucosa Protections
These medicines help create a protective covering for the ulcer. These do not enter your blood stream and so are safe to be given to pregnant women but only as prescribed by an obstetrician.
Antacids
Antacids are comparatively much safer and effective also even though they are considered “old fashioned” sometimes. They help relieve ulcer symptoms by neutralizing the gastric acid. Since they do not enter the blood stream, they are safe to be taken during pregnancy after consulting an obstetrician.
What are the effects of anti-ulcerants during pregnancy?
Stomach ulcers are not uncommon. It is possible that you were suffering from ulcer when you got pregnant or you developed stomach ulcer after conceiving. In any case, it is important to know whether it is safe to treat it and take medicines for relief or not. It is, in fact, unusual to diagnose stomach ulcer during pregnancy and unless the symptoms are severe, doctors too avoid prescribing medicine for the same.
Is it safe to treat stomach ulcers during pregnancy?
Women who have a history of stomach ulcers may require continuation of medicines and treatment even after becoming pregnant. There are medicines which are safe and do not cause any kind of birth defects. Some medicines are not supported with sufficient research results and yet are avoided to be taken during
pregnancy even if they are not related to causing any birth defect. Some women do feel pain which is at times extreme, but this is because they used to feel the pain even when they were not pregnant. Usually, home remedies are opted for relief from the pain as it is safe to get back to medicines after childbirth.
How to prevent stomach ulcers during pregnancy?
Here are some tips for preventing stomach ulcers during pregnancy.
1. Avoid foods which trigger the symptoms
There are food items which aggravate the disorder if you are suffering from stomach ulcer. Some of these foods are fried foods, spicy foods, chocolates, mint, citrus juice and
caffeine.
2. Medication
If you are pregnant and suffering from stomach ulcer, see your doctor and go for prescribed medicines only. Make sure your doctor knows that you are pregnant so that he prescribes safer medicines.
3. Avoid alcohol
Consuming alcohol is not just going to trigger symptoms of ulcer, but also harm your growing child.
4. Avoid smoking
It is not just your
smoking that is going to harm your baby or aggravate your ulcer symptoms because passive smoking is said to be equally and sometimes more dangerous. So, avoid sitting with someone who is smoking especially when you are pregnant because these might turn out into nasty consequences for you and your unborn child as well.
In addition to keeping in mind the above mentioned points, you can also opt for natural and home remedies to treat stomach ulcer especially during pregnancy.
- Eat small amount of food at a time
- Do not let your stomach be empty
- Cabbage and its juice is said to be helpful in getting relief from stomach ulcer symptoms
- High fibre diet will also help you stay healthy and strong along with relieving ulcer symptoms
Trying natural remedies might help you get relief from ulcer symptoms and will also save you from taking any kind of risk that is involved in taking
medicines. But make sure that you consult your obstetrician before trying any of the above mentioned home remedies.
