Ulcerogenic means which of the following?

• A. healing ulcers quickly
• B. producing or aggravating ulcers
• C. causing ulcers only in stomach
• D. preventing ulcers

Answer: (B)

Ulcerogenic refers to agents that produce or aggravate ulcers. This means something that can cause ulcers to form or make existing ulcers worse, rather than helping them heal or preventing their development. In practice, substances that are ulcerogenic disrupt the gastric mucosal defenses or damage the mucosa, increasing the risk of ulcer formation. For example, NSAIDs are considered ulcerogenic because they inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, weakening the protective lining of the stomach and promoting ulceration. It’s not limited to ulcers in the stomach and it isn’t about healing or preventing ulcers, so the term specifically points to the causation or worsening of ulcers.