Question

What types of substances are present in antacids?

Answer 1

An antacid is a medication that reduces stomach acidity and is used to treat heartburn, indigestion, and stomach distress. Antacids have been used to treat constipation and diarrhoea in the past. Antacids on the market now contain aluminium, calcium, magnesium, or sodium salts. A mixture of two salts, such as magnesium carbonate and aluminium hydroxide, is used in some formulations.

Complete answer:
Antacids are over-the-counter medications that are used by mouth to alleviate heartburn, a common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease and indigestion. Antacid treatment alone is symptomatic and only warranted for mild complaints. Constipation, diarrhoea, hyperphosphatemia, and urinary alkalinization are some of the other applications for antacids. In the treatment of pancreatic insufficiency, certain antacids are used as a supplement to pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. Non-particulate antacids (sodium citrate, magnesium trisilicate) raise stomach pH with little or no effect on gastric volume, therefore they might be used in pre-operative procedures in some cases. When the stomach produces too much acid, the natural mucus barrier that covers the stomach lining might break down, causing pain and irritation. There's also the possibility of acid reflux, which can cause pain and damage to the oesophagus. Antacids contain alkaline ions, which chemically neutralise stomach gastric acid, decreasing damage to the stomach lining and oesophagus while also providing pain relief. Pepsin, an enzyme that can damage the oesophagus in acid reflux, is inhibited by certain antacids. Antacids are not acid-reducing medicines like Hydrogen-receptor antagonists or proton pump inhibitors since they do not directly reduce acid secretion.

Note:
The bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which causes most ulcers, is not killed by antacids. Several oral medicines, including fluoroquinolone and tetracycline antibiotics, iron, itraconazole, and prednisone, have been reported to interact with antacids. Some of these interactions (e.g. fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines) are caused by metal chelation, which results in reduced absorption of the chelated medication. Some interactions may be caused by a rise in stomach pH after antacid consumption, which leads to increased weak acid absorption and decreased weak base absorption.