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 selection of medicines that have various forms of release.
Content:
- When should you take antacids?
- The principle of action of antacids
- Varieties of antacids
- List of absorbable antacids
- List of non-absorbable antacids
- Are antacids available with or without a prescription?
- Comparison of the effects of taking different antacids
- Antacid release form
- How to take antacids?
- Contraindications to taking antacids
- Side effects
- When you need to see a doctor urgently
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 recent years, antacids have been widely used to treat various pathologies of the digestive system. However, 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 take action. In addition, antacids have a lower cost compared to proton pump drugs and H2 receptor blockers.
The principle of action of antacids
The stomach needs acid so that food can be digested in it. It is a very caustic substance, but it does not corrode the gastric walls, since they are covered with a special mucous layer. It is he who protects the stomach from the destructive action of acid and prevents the formation of erosions and ulcers.
However, sometimes, due to various circumstances, the mucous membrane is damaged, which gives acid access to the walls of the stomach, and it begins to corrode them. As a result, a person develops an ulcer. When the sphincter, which is the natural septum between the stomach and esophagus, is weakened, acid can be pumped up. As a result, it begins to irritate the walls of the esophagus, provoking organ inflammation. 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 makes it possible to reduce the painful sensations 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 drug is absorbed by the body, absorbable and non-absorbable antacids are distinguished.
Absorbed drugs are absorbed by the intestinal walls and dissolve in the blood. This determines the rapid therapeutic effect of taking the drug. However, they also have a negative side - a large number of side effects. Therefore, experts do not recommend taking them. Absorbable antacids are baking soda and medicines based on calcium and magnesium carbonate.
Non-absorbable antacids do not have lightning-fast effects, 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, while magnesium restores the damaged mucous barrier. Drugs that belong to the group of non-absorbable antacids: Almagel, Fosfalugel, Maalox, Gastal, etc.
Sometimes doctors prescribe combined drugs that have not only antacids, but also other therapeutic effects. Such drugs are used to alleviate symptoms and to eliminate a particular pathology of the gastrointestinal 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 the gas bubbles in the intestine to be broken up and transported outside.
Also in the composition of antacids you can find alginic acid and its salts, alginates. This helps 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 prevents it from leaving 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 is a drug 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 substances that dissolve in the blood. The acidity of the gastric juice after taking them decreases very quickly. However, such drugs do not work for long. In addition, they cause the so-called acid rebound, in which the production of hydrochloric acid increases immediately after the drug stops acting. The disadvantages of absorbed 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 ingestion 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, and transient azotemia may develop. Also, the development of urolithiasis cannot be ruled out.
Preparations from the group of absorbed antacids:
- Sodium bicarbonate.
- Calcium carbonate.
- Basic magnesium carbonate.
- Magnesium oxide.
- A mixture of Bourget based on phosphate and sodium sulfate with the addition of bicarbonate.
- Medications: 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.
The following groups of non-absorbable antacids are distinguished:
- 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.
- Almagel A and Palmagel A preparations contain a combination of aluminum and magnesium with the addition of benzocaine, which has an analgesic effect.
- The drugs 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, Talcid, Tisacid. Magnesium hydroxide and hydrotalcite are present in the Gastal preparation.
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.
| Criteria | Name of the medicinal product | ||||
| Almagel | Remagel | Phosphalugel | Megalax | Maalox | |
| Effect start in minutes | 13.5 | - | - | - | 8.9 |
| Duration in minutes | 28 | 32.5 | 40 | 46 | 56 |
| Alkalization area | 6.6 | 4.5 | 5.4 | 6.5 | 13.2 |
| Alkalization index | 9.0 | 11.4 | 6,7 | 13.5 | 18.0 |
Maalox began to act faster than other drugs, and Almagel later than all. Also Maalox was the leader in the duration of the effect. The action of Almagel ended the fastest of all: 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 the alkalizing effect.
Antacid release form
The drugs can be purchased in tablet form and as a suspension. The suspension is dispensed in a large glass vial, or in small sealed sachets that contain a single dose of the drug. These bags are very convenient to use while traveling or at work.
The tablets are also easy to take and simply chew to speed up the effect.
How to take antacids?
Before taking antacids, it is recommended to consult a doctor, as well as to study the instructions that come with each medicine. Most often, antacids are aimed at eliminating the symptoms of a particular disease of the digestive system, or in order to prevent their occurrence.
How long does the effect take? How long should antacid treatment last?
Absorbed drugs begin to act very quickly, almost immediately after administration. Non-absorbable antacids have the desired effect after 10-15 minutes.
As for the duration of admission, 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 in a course, but for this purpose they use only those drugs that have medicinal components in their composition. They are also used in combination with proton pump inhibitors.
Contraindications to taking antacids
As for the contraindications for taking antacids, they depend on the specific drug. You can familiarize yourself with them by studying the instructions that are included in each package.
Side effects
Side effects from taking antacids can be as follows: diarrhea, belching, constipation. In many ways, they depend on the drug that the person is taking.
Absorbed antacids lead to a so-called acid rebound. The body, in which the 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 stomach walls and causes gastroesophageal reflux. If the drug contains calcium, then this can provoke constipation, nausea and vomiting. Frequent use of these medicines 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 kidney function.
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 you need to see a doctor urgently
If taking antacids does not bring relief and the person's condition continues to deteriorate, you should seek medical help.
Symptoms not to be ignored:
- The occurrence of bloody vomiting.
- The presence of blood in the feces. In this case, the faeces become black.
- Dramatic weight loss for no apparent reason.
- Difficulty swallowing food.
- Abdominal pain, vomiting and nausea. A doctor should be consulted if these symptoms persist for a long time.
The author of the article: Gorshenina Elena Ivanovna | Gastroenterologist
Education: Diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" received at the Russian State Medical University named after N. I. Pirogova (2005). Postgraduate studies in the specialty "Gastroenterology" - educational and scientific medical center.
