Pharma gyan Pandit

Combinations of Antacids

There are three complication usually seen when antacids are used. First, many antacids exert an action on the bowel. For example some have a mild laxative effect (eg. Magnesium hydroxide) and some are constipating (e.g. aluminum hydroxide).secondly if the cation (the metallic ion) is absorbed, systemic alkalosis (a condition in which the alkalinity of body fluids and tissues is abnormally high) may be produced (eg.sodium bicarbonate) Calcium ions may produce hupercalcaemia (the presence in the blood of an abnormally high concentration of calcium). (Magnesium and aluminum cause precipitation of phosphate in the gastrointestinal tract and depletion of phosphorus. Finally antacids may affect the absorption of other drugs which may be administered alon with antacids such as antichlolinergics and antibiotics. These drugs may be absorbed by the antacids. Antacids may also alter the pH of gut gastric contents thereby delaying the absorption of weak acids and speeding the absorption of basic drugs.