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  • Rationale and Comments

    According to published guidelines, medications for stress ulcer prophylaxis are not recommended for adult patients in non-intensive care unit settings. Histamine H2-receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors commonly used to treat stress ulcers are associated with adverse drug events and increased medication costs, and commonly enhance susceptibility to community-acquired nosocomial pneumonia and Clostridium difficile. Adherence to therapeutic guidelines will aid health care providers in reducing treatment of patients without clinically important risk factors for gastrointestinal bleeding.

    Sponsoring Organizations

    • Society of Hospital Medicine (Adult)

    Sources

    • Expert consensus

    Disciplines

    • Gastroenterologic

    References

    • ASHP therapeutic guidelines on stress ulcer prophylaxis. Am J Health Sys Pharm. 1999;56:347-79.