What is it?
Mastic gum is a herbal medicine used to treat stomach or intestinal ulcers. An ulcer is a painful sore or hole in the lining of your stomach or intestine. Mastic gum may also be used to treat a Helicobacter (hee-li-ko-BAK-ter) pylori (pi-LOR-ee) or H. pylori infection (in-FEK-shun). H. pylori is a bacteria or germ that causes infection that lives in the sticky lining of your stomach wall and intestines.
Other names for mastic gum include: Pistacia lentiscus, lentisk, and mastix.
Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you need more information about this medicine or if any information in this leaflet concerns you.
Tell your doctor if you ...
- are taking medicine or are allergic to any medicine (prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) or dietary supplement)
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine
- are breastfeeding
- have other health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart or blood vessel disease
Talk with your caregiver about how much mastic gum you should take. The amount depends on the strength of the medicine and the reason you are taking it. If you are using this medicine without instructions from your caregiver, follow the directions on the medicine bottle. Do not take medicine or take it more often than the directions tell you to.
To store this medicine:
Keep all medicine locked up and away from children. Store medicine away from heat and direct light. Do not store your medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down and not work the way it should work. Throw away medicine that is out of date or that you do not need. Never share your medicine with others.
Stop taking your medicine right away and talk to your doctor if you have any of the following side effects. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms which may mean you are allergic to it.
- Breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest
- Chest pain
- Skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin
Other Side Effects: You may have the following side effects, but this medicine may also cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if you have side effects that you think are caused by this medicine.
- Diarrhea (loose stools)
1. Anon: Masic Gum. In : DerMarderosian A (ed): The Lawrence Review of Natural Products. Facts and Comparisons, St. Louis, MO: 2000.
Last Updated: 11/4/2014