Prevention

You can greatly reduce the chance that you will get a peptic ulcer if you:

• Don't start smoking. If you smoke, quit. Smokers are much more likely to develop ulcers than nonsmokers. For ways to quit smoking, see the topic Quitting Smoking.
• Avoid taking certain medicines. Avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for longer than a few days at a time. If you are taking aspirin regularly for heart problems, ask your doctor about taking another medicine to help protect your stomach and intestines from ulcers.
• Drink alcoholic beverages only in moderation. Limit alcohol to 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women. Never drink alcohol on an empty stomach.