Alka-Seltzer is Still Bringing Speedy Relief?

Answer 1

Almost everyone has seen an advertisement or tried the effervescent over-the-counter medication known as Alka-Seltzer. Who can forge the jingle of, "Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is" that was used in marketing the product for many years? The product was introduced back in 1931, and the brand is still going strong today. The Original Formula The original formulation of Alka-Seltzer that is still available today includes aspirin as an active ingredient to relieve pain. It also contains sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and anhydrous citric acid to relieve acid indigestion. It is the way the medication is taken that makes it unique. The Unique Way Alka-Seltzer is Taken A dose is two large tablets that are dissolved in water before taking them. The anhydrous citric acid and sodium bicarbonate do not react when they are pressed together into dry tablets. However, adding water creates a chemical reaction that causes the tabs to bubble (effervesce) and dissolve quickly into solution in the water. The premise is that the already dissolved ingredients will speed relief over a regular pill that is swallowed. Taste and Bubbles There are versions of the product that have flavoring added to make the liquid solution more palatable. Some people cannot tolerate the taste or the bubbles that make the solution go down like a carbonated beverage. Others who cannot stand to take pills or capsules may prefer a liquid relief to stomach upset and pain. The effervescence dissipates to a greater degree as more minutes pass after the tablets have dissolved. Anecdotally, some feel that the "burp" after drinking the bubbly liquid is part of the relief experience. Ingenious Marketing The television commercials in the 1950s and the 1960s for Alka-Seltzer included a cartoon mascot called "Speedy." The character's body was drawn as an Alka-Seltzer tablet, and he wore another one as a hat. He would sing the jingle with his name being associated with the "speedy relief" the product was supposed to bring its users. Alka-Seltzer is available in six different formulations today including a non-aspirin version for sensitive stomachs known as "Alka-Seltzer Gold," and a new product that does not effervesce called "Alka-Seltzer Fruit Chews." The Fruit Chews do not need to be mixed with water. They come in soft tabs that only contain calcium carbonate (an antacid) as the active ingredient.