ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to ascertain the pharmacological effectiveness of sodium alginate liquid in the treatment of gastroesophageal acid reflux. The pharmacological test selected was 3 hours postprandial oesophageal pH, because of the physico-chemical properties of this drug. Twenty-one patients of both sexes were included in this study. The initial pH measurement served both as inclusion criteria, by confirming the presence of gastric acid reflux, and as reference for the evaluation of the effect of sodium alginate liquid by a second pH determination after treatment. After treatment with sodium alginate liquid, the number and mean duration of episodes of reflux, as well as the time spent at each pH level, had significantly decreased as compared to the initial value. The gastroesophageal reflux score was significantly reduced during the second hour in recumbent posture, but none of the different parameters studied separately (number and mean duration of episodes of reflux and time spent at each pH level) was significantly decreased. This study demonstrates the pharmacological effectiveness of the drug during the post prandial period and indicates that it is more effective in upright than in supine position.
