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Conditions
Gastritis
Inflammation of the stomach lining causing upper abdominal pain, nausea, and bloating. Can be caused by infection (H. pylori), medication use (NSAIDs), or stress.
Get assessed
From $24.95 · No appointment needed
6 min
avg cert turnaround
13 min
avg doctor review
2
days a week
30%
refund if declined
Symptoms
CommonsymptomsofGastritis
An AHPRA-registered doctor assesses these symptoms online - no in-person visit required.
Upper abdominal pain or burning
Nausea or vomiting
Feeling of fullness after eating
Bloating
Loss of appetite
Indigestion
Hiccups
Our Scope
Howwecanhelp
InstantMed handles many common conditions entirely online. Here's what fits our service.
What we can help with
- Medical certificates for time off work
- Advice on dietary changes and triggers to avoid
- Assessment of whether further testing is needed
- Guidance on over-the-counter treatments
What needs in-person care
- Endoscopy or H. pylori testing
- Treatment for bleeding ulcers
- Ongoing management of chronic gastritis
Depending on your situation, an AHPRA-registered doctor may be able to issue a medical certificate or arrange a repeat prescription after reviewing your request online.
Clinical Guidance
Whentoseeadoctor
These indicators suggest you should seek professional medical advice promptly.
Signs you need a doctor
- 1Symptoms lasting more than a week
- 2Severe or worsening abdominal pain
- 3Frequent nausea or vomiting
- 4Unintentional weight loss
- 5You need a medical certificate for work
Seek emergency care if
- Vomiting blood or coffee-ground-like material
- Black, tarry stools
- Severe abdominal pain that won't subside
- Fainting or severe dizziness
Call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department
Clinical Insight
Adoctor'sperspectiveonGastritis
InstantMed Clinical Team
AHPRA-registered medical team · Reviewed 2026-03
Gastritis - inflammation of the stomach lining - is common and has multiple causes. The two most frequent are Helicobacter pylori infection and NSAID use (ibuprofen, aspirin). Alcohol, stress, and autoimmune conditions can also contribute. What I assess is whether symptoms suggest simple gastritis or something that needs further investigation. Red flags include vomiting blood, black tarry stools, unintentional weight loss, difficulty swallowing, or persistent symptoms despite treatment - these warrant endoscopy. For uncomplicated gastritis, a trial of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy for 4-8 weeks is appropriate. If H. pylori is suspected (particularly with a history of peptic ulcer disease or if initial PPI treatment fails), a breath test or stool antigen test can confirm the diagnosis. H. pylori eradication involves a specific antibiotic combination for 7-14 days and has a high cure rate.
Treatment
TreatingGastritis
Gastritis management depends on the underlying cause. For H. pylori-related gastritis, eradication therapy (a specific antibiotic combination plus PPI for 7-14 days) has cure rates exceeding 85%. For NSAID-related gastritis, stopping or minimising NSAIDs and using PPI therapy is the mainstay. For non-specific gastritis, a 4-8 week course of PPI is appropriate. Omeprazole 20mg is now available OTC in Australia (since 2021 TGA change for 14-day courses). Higher doses and longer courses require prescription.
Omeprazole
Losec, Prilosec, Omeprazole Sandoz
Class:Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)
Typical dose:20mg once daily, 30 minutes before breakfast; 14-day OTC course; 4-8 weeks for gastritis
PBS:OTC 20mg (14-day course) available without prescription since 2021; longer courses PBS listed at $25.00 general / $7.70 concession (PBS, 2026)
- First-line acid suppression for gastritis -- reduces stomach acid production significantly
- Take 30 minutes before breakfast for maximum effectiveness
- OTC 14-day course suitable for initial management of uncomplicated gastritis
- Longer courses require a prescription and periodic review -- long-term PPIs have risk of hypomagnesaemia and C. difficile
Pantoprazole
Somac, Pantoprazole Sandoz
Class:Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)
Typical dose:40mg once daily, 30 minutes before breakfast
PBS:PBS listed; $25.00 general / $7.70 concession (PBS, 2026)
- Preferred over omeprazole in patients taking clopidogrel due to lower CYP2C19 interaction (per eTG Cardiovascular guidelines)
- Equivalent acid suppression to omeprazole at 40mg vs 20mg doses
- Can be prescribed via telehealth for ongoing gastritis management
H. pylori eradication: amoxicillin + clarithromycin + omeprazole (triple therapy)
Klacid, Augmentin
Class:PPI plus dual antibiotic combination (triple therapy)
Typical dose:Omeprazole 20mg twice daily + amoxicillin 1g twice daily + clarithromycin 500mg twice daily for 7-14 days
PBS:PBS listed for confirmed H. pylori eradication; individual components separately listed
- First-line H. pylori eradication per eTG Gastrointestinal -- cure rates 85-90% for 14-day course
- Clarithromycin resistance is increasing in Australia -- quadruple therapy (adding bismuth) used if resistance suspected
- Confirm eradication with urea breath test or stool antigen test 4 weeks after completing treatment
- A telehealth consult can discuss H. pylori eradication for patients with a confirmed or prior positive test
Source: Therapeutic Guidelines -- Gastrointestinal, 2023; Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA) H. pylori consensus statement, 2023. This information is educational only and does not replace clinical assessment.
Specialist referral: Refer to a gastroenterologist for endoscopy if: vomiting blood or passing black tarry stools, symptoms persist after 8 weeks of PPI therapy, unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing, or alarm features suggesting peptic ulcer or gastric cancer. H. pylori confirmation via non-invasive testing (breath test, stool antigen) can be arranged through a GP.
Gastritis in Australia
H. pylori infection affects approximately 15-20% of Australians, with higher rates in older adults
NSAID-related gastritis is a leading cause of upper GI bleeding in Australia
Proton pump inhibitors are among the most prescribed medications in Australia - many patients take them long-term without periodic review
Gastric cancer risk is increased with chronic H. pylori infection - eradication reduces this risk
Recovery
Whattoexpect
Typical recovery timeline and return-to-work guidance for most patients.
Typical recovery
Acute gastritis: symptoms often improve within 1-2 weeks with PPI treatment and trigger avoidance. H. pylori gastritis: 7-14 day eradication course, with symptom relief usually within days. Chronic gastritis: ongoing management may be needed.
Return to work
Most people can work with gastritis, though nausea and pain may be distracting during flares. Severe episodes with vomiting may require 1-2 days off. Eating small, frequent meals during the workday can help manage symptoms.
When to reassess
See a doctor urgently if you vomit blood, pass black tarry stools, experience severe abdominal pain, or have unintentional weight loss. Also reassess if symptoms persist beyond 4 weeks of PPI treatment - further investigation may be needed.
Self-Care
ManagingGastritisathome
Evidence-based tips to support your recovery alongside medical treatment.
Avoid NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin) - these are a major cause of gastritis and can worsen existing inflammation. Use paracetamol for pain instead
Eat smaller, more frequent meals rather than large meals - this reduces acid load on the stomach
Avoid alcohol, coffee, and spicy foods during flares - these irritate the stomach lining
Do not lie down immediately after eating - wait at least 2 hours
Reduce stress if possible - stress increases gastric acid production and slows stomach healing
If prescribed PPIs, take them 30 minutes before breakfast for maximum effectiveness
FAQ
CommonquestionsaboutGastritis
Answers to the most common questions from patients.
Yes. Severe gastritis can prevent you from working. Our doctors can provide certificates for the time you need to recover.
Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining. Acid reflux is stomach acid flowing up into the oesophagus. They can occur together but are different conditions.
Acute gastritis can resolve in days to weeks with treatment. Chronic gastritis may need ongoing management. See a doctor if symptoms persist.
Avoid spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, acidic foods, and NSAIDs (like ibuprofen). Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
Ready to get help with Gastritis?
Australian-registered doctors review your request when available.
Full refund if the doctor declines.