Evaluation of commercially available antacid tablets.

Antacids are commonly used for the treatment of acid peptic disease. There is a need to study the relative merits of various brands of antacids available commercially. Twenty three brands of antacid tablet preparations were evaluated with regard to their composition, cost, dispersion time, pH, neutralising capacity and time taken for neutralisation. The cost of various tablets ranged from Rs 0.13 to Rs. 1.48 per tablet and the dispersion time from 20 to 90 minutes. The pH of the dispersed tablet solution ranged from 5.7 to 9.5. The neutralising capacity varied between 8 to 169 meq/tablet and the neutralizing time between 20 and 45 minutes. The cost: neutralizing ratio was calculated and ranged from 102 to 9867 x 10(-3) Rs/meq. A scoring system with a maximum score of 12 has been devised. The study provides a guide for choosing a more potent, quick neutralising and low cost antacid preparation.

Sodium and potassium content of liquid antacids.

Sodium and potassium contents of 37 commercially available liquid antacid preparations were estimated. Only nine preparations had sodium content below 60 mmol/L. The potassium content was below 1 mmol/L in 26 preparations. We conclude that caution should be exercised in selecting liquid antacid preparations in whom critically ill patients for electrolyte overload could prove harmful.