Antacids
A drug may be classified by the chemical type of the active ingredient or by the way it is used to treat a particular condition. Each drug can be classified into one or more drug classes.
Antacids are agents that neutralize the gastric acid and raise the gastric pH, so are used to treat dyspepsia and are used as symptomatic relief of peptic ulcer. Antacids in common use salts of magnesium, aluminium and calcium. Some mixtures contain sodium and should be used with caution in patients who should avoid excess sodium intake. Alginates are sometimes combined with antacids for use in gastroesophageal reflux disease. Alginates float on top of the gastric contents and act as a barrier between the acidic contents of the stomach and the lower esophageal sphincter, preventing erosion of the lower esophagus and therefore not creating the pain experienced in gastroesophageal reflux disease.
See also
Medical conditions associated with antacids:
- Acne
- Asystole
- Constipation
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis
- Duodenal Ulcer
- Erosive Esophagitis
- Gas
- Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage
- GERD
- Hyperkalemia
- Hyperphosphatemia
- Hyperphosphatemia of Renal Failure
- Hyperuricemia Secondary to Chemotherapy
- Hypocalcemia
- Indigestion
- Metabolic Acidosis
- Osteopenia
- Osteoporosis
- Peptic Ulcer
- Stomach Ulcer
- Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis
- Urinary Alkalinization
- Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
