Antacids
|
|
Definition
Antacids are medicines that neutralize stomach acid.
— Samuel Uretsky, PharmD
|
Results for antacid
|
On this page:
|
|
|
Definition
Antacids are medicines that neutralize stomach acid.
— Samuel Uretsky, PharmD
Counteracting or neutralizing acidity, especially of the stomach.
n.A substance, such as magnesia or sodium bicarbonate, that neutralizes acid.
A medicine that neutralizes an acidic stomach (caused by excessive secretion of hydrochloric acid in the gastric juices). Antacids (e.g. aluminium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, and magnesium hydroxide) are used to relieve the pain and discomfort of digestive disorders such as peptic ulcers and less serious conditions.
For more information on antacid, visit Britannica.com.
1. counteracting acidity.
2. an agent that counteracts acidity. Substances that act as antacids include sodium bicarbonate, aluminum hydroxide gel, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium trisilicate, magnesium oxide and calcium carbonate. They are often used in humans in the treatment of peptic ulcer.
An antacid is any substance, generally a base, which counteracts stomach acidity. In other words, antacids are stomach acid neutralizers.
Antacids perform a neutralization reaction, i.e. they buffer gastric acid, raising the pH to reduce acidity in the stomach. When gastric hydrochloric acid reaches the nerves in the gasitrointestinal mucosa, they signal pain to the central nervous system. This happens when these nerves are exposed, as in peptic ulcers. The gastric acid may also reach ulcers in the esophagus or the duodenum.
Other mechanisms may contribute, such as the effect of aluminum ions inhibiting smooth muscle cell contraction and delaying gastric emptying.
Antacids are taken by mouth to relieve heartburn, the major symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or acid indigestion. Treatment with antacids alone is symptomatic and only justified for minor symptoms. Peptic ulcers may require H2-receptor antagonists or proton pump inhibitors.
The usefulness of many combinations of antacids is not clear, although the combination of magnesium and aluminum salts may prevent alteration of bowel habits.
Altered pH or complex formation may alter the bioavailability of other drugs, such as tetracycline. Urinary excretion of certain drugs may also be affected.
Reduced stomach acidity may result in an impaired ability to digest and absorb certain nutrients, such as iron and the B vitamins. Since the low pH of the stomach normally kills ingested bacteria, antacids increase the vulnerability to infection.
Examples of antacids (brand names may vary in different countries).
| Drugs for acid related disorders: Antacids (A02A) | |
|---|---|
| Magnesium | Magnesium carbonate - Magnesium oxide - Magnesium peroxide - Magnesium hydroxide - Magnesium silicate |
| Aluminium | Aluminium hydroxide - Algeldrate - Aluminium phosphate - Dihydroxialumini sodium carbonate - Aluminium acetoacetate - Aloglutamol - Aluminium glycinate |
| Calcium | Calcium carbonate - Calcium silicate |
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
Dansk (Danish)
adj. - syreneutraliserende
n. - antacidum, syreneutraliserende middel
Nederlands (Dutch)
middel tegen maagzuur, bestendig tegen maagzuur
Français (French)
adj. - antiacide
n. - antiacide
Deutsch (German)
adj. - Säuren neutralisierend
n. - (med.) Antazidum, gegen Magensäure wirkendes Mittel
Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - αντιοξύ, αντιόξινο φάρμακο
adj. - αντιόξινος
Português (Portuguese)
n. - antiácido (m) (Quím.)
adj. - antiácido
Русский (Russian)
нейтрализующий кислоту
Español (Spanish)
adj. - antiácido
n. - antiácido, sustancia antiácida
Svenska (Swedish)
n. - medel som motverkar syrlighet
adj. - syrabindande
中文(简体) (Chinese (Simplified))
抗酸性的, 中和酸性的, 解酸剂, 抗酸剂
中文(繁體) (Chinese (Traditional))
adj. - 抗酸性的, 中和酸性的
n. - 解酸劑, 抗酸劑
한국어 (Korean)
adj. - 산을 중화하는
n. - 산 중화제
日本語 (Japanese)
adj. - 酸を中和する
n. - 酸を中和するもの, 制酸剤
العربيه (Arabic)
(الاسم) دوا مضاد للحموضه (صفه) مضاجد للحموضه
עברית (Hebrew)
adj. - מונע או מתקן חומציות (חומר)
n. - חומר המונע או מתקן חומציות, במיוחד בקיבה, אנטי-חומצה
If you are unable to view some languages clearly, click here.
To select your translation preferences click here.
Join the WikiAnswers Q&A community. Post a question or answer questions about "antacid" at WikiAnswers.
Copyrights:
![]() | Medical Encyclopedia. © 2006 through a partnership of Answers Corporation. All rights reserved. Read more | |
![]() | Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2007. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more | |
![]() | Food and Nutrition. A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. Copyright © 1995, 2003, 2005 by A. E. Bender and D. A. Bender. All rights reserved. Read more | |
![]() | Food and Fitness. Food and Fitness: A Dictionary of Diet and Exercise. Copyright © 1997, 2003 by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. Read more | |
![]() | Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. © 2006 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more | |
![]() | Columbia Encyclopedia. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright © 2003, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. www.cc.columbia.edu/cu/cup/ Read more | |
![]() | Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved. Read more | |
![]() | Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Antacid". Read more | |
![]() | Translations. Copyright © 2007, WizCom Technologies Ltd. All rights reserved. Read more |
Mentioned In: