Antacid

An antacid ( plural: antacids ) is a medicine used to neutralize the stomach acid. It is a weak base or the salt of a weak acid, so that its mechanism of action is to explain, among other things due to the buffering of gastric acid.

Application for the symptomatic treatment of antacids disorders where gastric acid is to be bound. These include heartburn, acid reflux and acid-related stomach pain. Most of antacids, however, used as a non-prescription self-medication against reflux oesophagitis ( inflammation of the esophagus ).

The sodium bicarbonate formerly often used - (short soda, outdated Trivial names bicarbonate of soda, sodium bicarbonate or sodium bicarbonate) - is obsolete as an antacid. It quickly leads to an increase in intragastric pH ( above 7), thereby triggering an increase gastrin is released, which in turn leads to increased reactive secretion of gastric acid. Is subjectively unpleasant the rapid onset of CO2 evolution in the stomach. Finally, the sodium ions are completely absorbed, so can that when taking large doses or for a long time to enter systemic adverse effects such as hypernatremia, metabolic alkalosis risk of, edema, hypertension.

Therefore, sat down in the 1970s, aluminum and magnesium hydroxide gels and mixtures of calcium and magnesium or aluminum -magnesium Silicathydrat contained in the active substance Almasilat through. They are not only less absorbed and therefore act only in the stomach, they are also characterized by a better tolerability. In addition, aluminum-containing antacids like sucralfate stimulate gastric mucus production because they increase the prostaglandin synthesis.

Carefully should be with renal insufficiency patients because chronic use of antacids can lead to an accumulation of aluminum and magnesium in the body. Furthermore, antacids impair iron absorption by increasing the pH of the gastric juice.

In recent years, antacids have lost in the treatment of gastric ulcers in importance. This is due to the breakthrough of so-called H2 antagonists and proton pump inhibitors, which inhibit gastric acid production directly and therefore have longer and more effectively.

Schichtgitterantazida

Schichtgitterantazida are the second -generation agents and differ substantially from the conventional antacids. Currently there are two active ingredients, magaldrate (eg Riopan ) and hydrotalcite (eg B.Talcid ) in the trade.

Aluminum hydroxide may cause constipation, while magnesium hydroxide rather stimulates intestinal activity and acts laxative. Therefore, most available today finished preparations mixed preparations of both agents. Is also often used the combination of calcium and magnesium carbonate.