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.