The stomach acids which irritate the tissue lining are reduced by medications prescribed by your doctor.  The two most commonly used medications are H2-Receptor antagonists, including Zantac, and Proton pump inhibitors, including Prevacid.  The antibiotics kill the acids, and the proton pump inhibitors stop your stomach from making acids.  Your doctor may put you on more than one medicine at a time, and if one is making you sick then he can change them easily.  Sometimes surgery is needed to cure the ulcers if the medicines are not working.  This is very rare, and can be discussed with a doctor. 

Taking antacids will stop the ulcers from working and reduce the pain as well as help the ulcers heal, but they will not cure the ulcers on their own.  Taking medicines and antacids together is fine.  You must take the antacids several times a day, which can be bought at the grocery or drug store.  The antacids won’t cure the ulcer even if the pain goes away, so you still need to take your medicine.

To prevent ulcers, wash your hands before and after every meal and stop taking NSAIDs (you can talk to your doctor about other pain relievers).  To lower your risk for getting peptic ulcers, don’t drink or smoke. If you already have peptic ulcers stop drinking and smoking.  Ulcers can come back, but you can greatly reduce the likelihood that they will.