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Antacids

Antacids are widely used in the treatment of various gastric and duodenal disorders and complaints such as gastritis, irritable stomach, heartburn, reflux, reflux oesophagitis, gastric and duodenal ulcers and nightly acid pain. Antacids neutralize the gastric acids created in the stomach. It is desirable that an antacid feature a high acid neutralization capacity and a rapid rate of gastric acid neutralization. A wide variety of conditions, such as stress, poor dietary habits, and chemical or drug stimulation, can result in the overproduction and accumulation of acidic substances in the gastrointestinal tract. These acidic substances can concentrate particularly in the stomach and esophagus causing physical discomfort, often serious. This condition may pose long-term deleterious physiological effects such as the onset of ulcerous conditions. Antacids work by neutralizing the excess stomach acid, thereby preventing inflammation, relieving pain, and allowing the mucous layer and lining to mend. Antacids exert their positive effects by neutralizing the gastric acid secreted in the stomach. When the pH of stomach contents is raised above 3, most gastric acid is neutralized and the proteolytic activity of pepsin is inhibited. The recent elevation of antacids to a major therapeutic role, particularly in ulcer therapy, rather than a merely palliative role, has emphasized the importance of providing antacid products featuring a high neutralization (and buffer) capacity as well as a rapid rate of gastric acid neutralization. Antacids used today are made from a variety of inorganic salts such as calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium salts and aluminum salts. Magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide are the most potent magnesium and aluminum salts and are often used in combination. In addition, magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate, aluminum phosphate, magaldrate, magnesium trisilicate, and aluminum sucrose sulfate (sucralfate) are also employed. Antacids are available in the form of liquid suspensions or solid dosage forms. Liquid dosage forms are usually preferred over solid (tablets) because of their rapid action. Liquid antacid compositions are useful in the treatment of acute and chronic upper gastrointestinal disorders. The liquid antacids are usually indicated for the symptomatic relief of upset stomach associated with the hyperacidity also know as heartburn, acid indigestion and sour stomach. Antacids are usually taken on an "as needed" basis to relieve gastrointestinal disturbances mostly due to dietary indiscretions.

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