Antacid: Classification, Examples, Side Effects, Goals, Properties

Classification Of Antacids

• Aluminium Carbonate Antacids These substances can be used to treat and manage hyperphosphatemia because they bind phosphate in the intestine and prevent it from being absorbed into the body (abnormally elevated levels of phosphate in the blood). Due to their ability to bind phosphate in the colon, aluminium carbonate antacids can also be used in conjunction with a decreased phosphate diet to prevent kidney stone formation because kidney stones are made up of a number of components, including phosphates.

• Calcium Carbonate Antacids: Calcium carbonate antacids are advised in situations of calcium deficiency, such as postmenopausal osteoporosis because some calcium is absorbed by the body.

• Magnesium Oxide Antacids: Magnesium oxide antacids are used to alleviate magnesium deficiencies brought on by insufficient diets or medications that deplete magnesium.

• One of the off-label (not FDA-approved) uses for antacids containing magnesium and aluminium or aluminium alone is to stop bleeding from stress-induced ulcers. Two further off-label uses for antacids include the management of duodenal ulcer healing and the treatment of stomach ulcers.

Antacid Examples

• AlternaGEL (liquid)

• Hydroxide of aluminium

• Gelled Aluminum Oxide (suspension)

• Sulfate of aluminium and magnesium hydroxide (Magaldrate)

• Amphojel (tablets) (tablets)

• acetate of calcium (PhosLo tablets)

• Carbonate of calcium

• Citron pH (solution)

• Concentrated Gel of Aluminum Oxide (suspension)

• Concentrated Gel of Aluminum Oxide (liquid)

• Phillips' Milk of Magnesia in concentrated form (liquid)

• Dialume (capsules)

• Dulcolax (Liquid)

• Isopan (Liquid)

What Side Effects Do Antacids Have?

• Milk-alkali syndrome and dose-dependent rebound hyperacidity are side effects of antacids.

• Aluminium intoxication, osteomalacia, hypophosphatemia, and constipation are all potential side effects of antacids that contain aluminium hydroxide.

• Magnesium-containing antacids have a laxative action that may result in diarrhoea, and in patients with renal failure, they may result in elevated blood levels of magnesium because the kidneys are less able to remove magnesium from the body through urine.

The Goal Of Antacid Therapy

Antacid therapy aims to:

• Reduce the amount of acid present in gastric juice.

• Acid reflux treatment options

• Antacids, also known as stomach acid-neutralizing agents, are groups of drugs that work to neutralise stomach acids.

• Stomach antacids are weak bases that when consumed, reduce the stomach juices' acidity. Any substance that can neutralise a corrosive is a base.

• The medications that patients most frequently use to get relief from dyspepsia quickly are acid neutralisers. They increase the stomach fluids' basicity.

• Furthermore, antacids increase the tone of the lower oesophageal sphincter, which reduces the reflux of acidic and gastric contents into the throat.

Ideal Properties Of Antacids

• They need to be insoluble in water.

• It needs to have tiny particles.

• It should be challenging to absorb.

• Constipation shouldn't result from it.

• It shouldn't have a laxative effect.

• It should start working right away.

• There shouldn't be any systemic alkalosis as a result.

• There ought to be a lasting effect

What Are Antacids Authorised For?

The Food and Drug Administration approved antacids for treating minor episodes of heartburn and indigestion. Heartburn that occurs infrequently or sporadically rather than daily is a mild case.

Antacids also assist in treating signs of:

• Reflux of acid (GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease).

• Intestinal inflammation (gastritis).

• Abdominal ulcers

Antacids and Risks

Some users of antacids may experience negative effects from long-term use. You might encounter:

• Constipation

• Diarrhoea

• Headaches

• Nausea

For those with kidney illness or excessive blood calcium levels, antacids are not advised. Additionally, they might interfere with some drugs, such as thyroid hormones.

Antacids just neutralise an acid:

They have no therapeutic effect on GERD-related inflammation. Over time, persistent inflammation in the oesophagus can destroy the lining or, very rarely, progress to malignancy. This is why it's crucial to avoid treating GERD yourself with over-the-counter drugs. Even though a doctor might grant the all-clear for the usage of antacids, this kind of prescription is merely a short-term fix for a chronic issue.

Precautions For Antacids?

• Acid rebound may occur if antacids (such as calcium carbonate) are taken in high quantities and over an extended period. After eating or drinking, a condition known as "acid rebound" causes the stomach to create even more acid. Fortunately, acid rebound's effects are not clinically significant.

• Combining high doses of sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate can result in a disease known as milk-alkali syndrome. Headache, nausea, irritability, weakness, hypercalcemia (high blood calcium levels), and diminished renal function are some of its symptoms.

• Regular use of aluminium-containing antacids may result in hypophosphatemia (low blood phosphate levels), which in extreme circumstances may induce osteomalacia, anorexia, and muscle weakness (softening of the bones due to defective bone mineralization).

• The administration of aluminium hydroxide-containing antacids in individuals who have just experienced severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding should be done so with caution.

• It's crucial to pay attention to the sodium level in sodium-based antacid preparations like sodium bicarbonate for individuals with illnesses including high blood pressure, chronic heart failure, renal failure, and those who have salt- or sodium-restricted diets.

• Children under the age of six should not be given antacids.