Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Another common cause of ulcers is overtaking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, commonly known as NSAIDs. The lining of your stomach and intestine can be irritated or inflamed by both over-the-counter and prescription NSAIDs, leading to an ulcer.
Since prescription NSAIDs are often used for weeks or months at a time, they cause more damage to the lining of the digestive tract compared to short-term use of over-the-counter NSAIDs. NSAIDs come with a warning label indicating that they may damage the stomach lining. Extended use may result in bleeding and ulceration. Some of the digestive system-harmful NSAIDs are naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox, and others) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and others).