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Axid Uses

A number of conditions related to the esophagus, stomach, and intestines can be treated with Axid. Some specific Axid uses include the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastric ulcers, and duodenal ulcers. Over-the-counter Axid is also used for treating heartburn, sour stomach, and acid indigestion. Some examples of off-label Axid uses include the treatment of H. pylori infections and the prevention of acid-related pneumonia during surgeries.

 

Uses of Axid: An Overview

 Axid® (nizatidine) is a medication that is available in both prescription and over-the-counter forms. It is used to treat conditions related to the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Some specific Axid uses include the treatment or prevention of the following conditions:
 
  • Duodenal ulcers
  • Gastric ulcers (stomach ulcers)
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
     
Over-the-counter Axid is approved to treat the following conditions in people 12 years of age and older:
 
  • Heartburn
  • Acid indigestion
  • Sour stomach.
     
Axid for Ulcers
Ulcers can occur in several places in the digestive tract. One common place for an ulcer is in the duodenum (the upper part of the intestine just after the stomach). This type of ulcer is called a duodenal ulcer. Another common place to have an ulcer is the stomach. This is called a stomach ulcer or gastric ulcer. "Peptic ulcer" is a term that refers to both duodenal ulcers and stomach ulcers.
 
There are many ulcer causes, including medications, infections, and diseases. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as aspirin or ibuprofen, are a common cause of stomach ulcers. The bacteria Helicobacter pylori (or H. pylori) can also cause ulcers. Certain conditions that cause increased stomach acid production can also cause ulcers.
 
Some common ulcer symptoms include abdominal pain (or stomach pain) and heartburn symptoms -- both of which are especially common at night -- and loss of appetite. Bleeding ulcer symptoms can include dizziness, vomiting blood, and blood in the stool (seen as dark-colored stools). Some people may not have any symptoms of an ulcer.
 
Axid is approved to help heal both duodenal ulcers and stomach ulcers. However, duodenal ulcers are the only type of ulcers that the medicine is approved to prevent.
(Axid Uses Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;