Which medication class is commonly used for prevention of stress ulcers in critically ill patients?

The class of medications that is commonly used for the prevention of stress ulcers in critically ill patients is H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Stress ulcers are a significant concern in critically ill patients due to factors such as reduced blood flow to the gastric mucosa, increased acid production, and the overall physiological stress of critical illness.

H2 blockers work by inhibiting histamine receptors in the stomach, which reduces gastric acid secretion, while proton pump inhibitors block the proton pump in the stomach lining, leading to a more significant reduction in acid production. Both classes effectively decrease the acidity of gastric contents, helping to prevent the formation of ulcers by promoting a more stable gastric environment.

The use of these medications has been shown in various studies to decrease the incidence of stress-related mucosal disease and subsequent gastrointestinal bleeding in critically ill patients, making them a cornerstone in the management of ulcer prevention in this population. Thus, the choice of H2 blockers or PPIs as a first-line prophylactic treatment in critically ill patients is supported by clinical guidelines and evidence-based practice.