List of antacids, their action, features

Antacids are drugs that are designed to neutralize the acid produced in the human stomach. Modern pharmacology offers a wide range of drugs that have various forms of release.

When should you take antacids?

Antacids are prescribed to get rid of heartburn, which is a companion of many diseases of the digestive tract, including: stomach ulcers, reflux esophagitis, functional dyspepsia, etc.

In past years, antacids have been widely used to treat various pathologies of the digestive system. However, with the discovery of proton pump inhibitors and H2 receptor blockers, these drugs have faded into the background. Modern drugs allow not only to temporarily neutralize the increased acidity of the stomach, but reduce the production of acid, and they act for a long time.

However, antacids have not been forgotten. Their advantage is the high speed with which they begin to act. In addition, antacids have a lower cost compared to proton pump drugs and H2 receptor blockers.

How antacids work

The stomach needs acid to digest food. It is a very caustic substance, but it does not corrode the gastric walls, as they are covered with a special mucous layer. It is he who protects the stomach from the destructive action of acid and does not allow erosions and ulcers to form.

However, sometimes the mucous membrane, due to various circumstances, is damaged, which gives the acid access to the walls of the stomach, and it begins to corrode them. As a result, an ulcer forms in a person. With the weakening of the sphincter, which is a natural partition between the stomach and esophagus, acid can be thrown up. As a result, it begins to irritate the walls of the esophagus, provoking inflammation of the organ. This phenomenon is called reflux esophagitis.

Taking antacids allows you to neutralize the acid in the stomach, since these drugs contain alkaline bases. They work against acids. Such a reaction in scientific circles is called a neutralization reaction.

After taking antacids, the aggressiveness of gastric juice decreases, which reduces the pain that can cause ulcerative lesions. Also, these drugs quickly relieve heartburn.

Varieties of antacids

Compounds of calcium, magnesium and aluminum are the basis of antacids. Depending on how the body absorbs the drug, antacids are divided into absorbable and non-absorbable.

Absorbable drugs are absorbed by the intestinal walls and dissolve in the blood. This is due to the rapid therapeutic effect of taking the drug. However, they also have a negative side – this is a large number of side effects. Therefore, experts do not recommend taking them. Absorbable antacids are baking soda, as well as medicines based on calcium and magnesium carbonate.

Non-absorbable antacids do not have a lightning fast effect, but they last much longer. The main active ingredient is aluminum and magnesium hydroxide, or aluminum phosphate. Sometimes they are combined in one preparation. Aluminum envelops the gastric wall, covering it with a protective barrier, and magnesium restores the damaged mucous barrier. Drugs that belong to the group of non-absorbable antacids: Almagel, Phosphalugel, Maalox, Gastal, etc.

Sometimes doctors prescribe combined drugs that have not only antacid, but also other therapeutic effects. Such drugs are used to alleviate symptoms and to eliminate one or another pathology of the digestive tract (in complex therapy), they also reduce the severity of side effects from taking antacids.

For example, a drug called Almagel Neo contains simethicone, which helps to eliminate flatulence. Bloating is often observed after taking antacids. However, simethicone allows you to break up the gas bubbles in the intestines and bring them out.

Also in the composition of antacids you can find alginic acid and its salts, alginates. This allows you to protect the walls of the esophagus from stomach acid. Once in the stomach, sodium alginate or alginic acid is converted into a gel. It floats on the surface of the gastric contents and does not allow it to go beyond the organ. As a result, the esophagus remains protected from irritation. Such drugs are often used in the complex treatment of reflux esophagitis. For example, this drug is called Gaviscon.

You can also find antacids with an anesthetic component, for example, a drug called Almagel A.

List of absorbable antacids

Absorbable antacids are those substances that dissolve in the blood. The acidity of the gastric juice after taking them decreases very quickly. However, these drugs do not last long. In addition, they cause the so-called acid rebound in which the production of hydrochloric acid increases immediately after the drug ceases to act. The disadvantages of absorbable antacids also include the fact that they contribute to the increased formation of carbon dioxide in the body, which leads to overstretching of the gastric walls and provokes gastroesophageal reflux. The entry of bicarbonates into the bloodstream leads to systemic alkalosis.

The longer a person takes antacids, the more likely they are to develop constipation and hypercalcemia. If these drugs are combined with milk, then vomiting, polyuria, transient azotemia may develop. It is also impossible to exclude the development of urolithiasis.

Preparations from the group of absorbable antacids:

• sodium bicarbonate.

• Calcium carbonate.

• Magnesium carbonate basic.

• Magnesium oxide.

• A mixture of Bourget based on phosphate and sodium sulfate with the addition of bicarbonate.

• Preparations: Rennie, Andrews antacid, Tams.

List of non-absorbable antacids

Non-absorbable antacids are based on aluminum hydroxide, aluminum phosphate, magnesium hydroxide and magnesium trisilicate. Their effect is somewhat delayed in time, but it lasts for 3 hours. They reduce the acidity of gastric juice, leaving it at around 3-4 pH.

There are the following groups of non-absorbable antacids:

• Based on aluminum phosphate: Alfogel, Gasterin, Phosphalugel.

• Based on aluminum and magnesium: Almagel, Altacid, Alumag, Gastracid, Maalox, Maalukol, Palmagel.

• Topalkan and Gaviscon preparations are based on a combination of sodium and calcium or silicon, aluminum and magnesium with the addition of alginate.

• Preparations Almagel A and Palmagel A contain a combination of aluminum and magnesium with the addition of benzocaine, which has an analgesic effect.

• Preparations Almagel Neo, Gestid and Relzer are based on magnesium and aluminum, but they also contain simethicone, which reduces gas formation in the intestines.

• Preparations containing aluminum, calcium and magnesium in their composition: Rennie-Tal, Rutacid, Taltsid, Tisatsid. Magnesium hydroxide and hydrotalcite are present in Gastal.

Are antacids available with or without a prescription?

There are some antacids that require a prescription, but most are over the counter.

Comparison of the effects of taking different antacids

The study of the antacid properties of various drugs was carried out at the Central Research Institute of Gastroenterology. For this purpose, the method of intragastric pH-metry was used. The data obtained are presented in the table.

Faster than other drugs, Maalox began to act, and later than all – Almagel. Maalox also turned out to be the leader in terms of the duration of the effect. The action of Almagel ended the fastest: 56 minutes versus 28 minutes. Steel preparations are “between” the leader and the lagging behind. An analysis of all the data obtained allows us to conclude that the drug Maalox has the maximum degree of alkalizing effect.

Form of release of antacids

The preparations can be purchased in tablet form and as a suspension. The suspension is released in a large glass bottle, or in small sealed bags that contain a single dose of the drug. These bags are very convenient to use while traveling or at the workplace.

Tablets are also convenient to take, and to speed up the effect, you just need to chew them.

How to take antacids?

Before taking antacids, it is recommended to consult a doctor, as well as study the instructions that come with each drug. Most often, antacids are aimed at eliminating the symptoms of a disease of the digestive system, or in order to prevent their occurrence.

How long does the effect take? How long should antacid treatment last?

Absorbable drugs begin to act very quickly, almost immediately after ingestion. Non-absorbable antacids have the desired effect after 10-15 minutes.

As for the duration of the intake, it is determined by the frequency of heartburn. When this symptom does not bother, there is no point in treatment.

However, sometimes doctors prescribe antacids as a course, but for this purpose they use only those drugs that have therapeutic components in their composition. They are also used in combination with proton pump inhibitors.

Contraindications for taking antacids

As for contraindications to taking antacids, they depend on the specific drug. You can get acquainted with them by studying the instructions that are included in each package.

Side effects

Side effects from taking antacids can include diarrhea, belching, and constipation. In many ways, they depend on the drug that the person takes.

Absorbed antacids lead to the so-called acid rebound. An organism in which acidity is sharply reduced resists this and increases it even more. In addition, intake of absorbable antacids promotes increased production of carbon dioxide, which stretches the walls of the stomach and causes gastroesophageal reflux. If the drug contains calcium, then this can provoke constipation, nausea and vomiting. Frequent use of such drugs leads to the formation of kidney stones.

Antacids with magnesium in their composition help to thin the stool and, if taken for a long time, can cause diarrhea, as well as problems with the kidneys.

When aluminum is present in antacids, there is a risk of constipation. In addition, there is a danger of inflammation of the brain, and bone tissue may lose its strength.

It is not recommended to take antacids with other drugs, as they can reduce their absorption.

When to see a doctor urgently

If taking antacids does not bring relief and the person’s condition continues to worsen, it is necessary to seek medical help.

Symptoms that should not be ignored:

• The occurrence of hematemesis.

• The presence of blood in the stool. In this case, the stool becomes black.

• Sudden weight loss for no apparent reason.

• Difficulty in swallowing food.

• Abdominal pain, vomiting and nausea. A doctor should be contacted if these symptoms do not go away for a long time.