Heartburn is a phenomenon characterized by a burning sensation in the chest. It develops when stomach contents soaked in hydrochloric acid are thrown into the esophagus. Heartburn can be a symptom of a disease that affects the digestive tract. In order to eliminate it, patients are shown the use of medicines such as antacids. The group of antacids includes several dozen varieties of drugs that have some differences from each other. In particular, we are talking about antisecretory agents.
Pharmacological group of antacids
Antacids are medicines that can neutralize hydrochloric acid contained in gastric juice. Thus, the irritating effect of gastric juice on the mucous membranes of the digestive organs is reduced, painful sensations are stopped,accelerates the regeneration of previously damaged areas.
It is important to understand that antacids do not eliminate the cause of heartburn, but only allow to neutralize unpleasant manifestations. This necessitates the appointment of drugs of this group by a specialist, since the burning sensation in the chest may indicate the presence of a dangerous pathology, which, without timely and adequate therapy, can progress and cause a variety of serious complications.
Effects
When using antacids, the following effects develop:
- The mucous membranes lining the digestive tract are sheathed, which helps protect them from the influence of aggressive factors.
- Excess secreted hydrochloric acid is neutralized.
- Decreased pressure in the duodenum, stomach.
- Spastic contractions of the stomach stop.
- Prevents reflux of duodenal contents into stomach.
- Promotion of stomach contents accelerates.
- Bile acids, lysophosphatidylcholine are absorbed.
When appointed?
The use of antacids is considered appropriate in the following situations:
- For ulcers and GERD. Used as an element of complex therapy and can eliminate heartburn and pain.
- In order to eliminate acid-dependentpathological conditions in pregnant women.
- In diseases of the stomach, which are provoked by the use of non-steroidal drugs.
- As a component of complex therapy for inflammation of the gallbladder, pancreas during an exacerbation. Antacids are also recommended for cholelithiasis in order to bind excess bile acids, with indigestion. The classification of antisecretory drugs will be discussed in detail below.
Antacids are sometimes used once by he althy people if heartburn develops due to eating disorders.
Classification
It is customary to conditionally classify all antisecretory drugs in pharmacology into two large groups:
- Suction.
- Non-absorbable.
There is also a classification of antisecretory agents depending on the main active ingredient in their composition:
- Magnesium-containing antacids. In their composition, the active ingredient may be magnesium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide.
- Containing sodium bicarbonate.
- Containing calcium carbonate.
- Antacids based on aluminum. In this case, aluminum phosphate or aluminum hydroxide is used as the active ingredient.
- Combined antacids containing several active ingredients.
Absorbable drugs
This group of antisecretory drugs includes drugs, active substanceswhich, after interaction with hydrochloric acid, are partially absorbed in the stomach and, thus, penetrate into the systemic circulation.
The main advantage of this group of drugs is their ability to quickly neutralize acidity, thereby relieving heartburn in a short period of time. However, against the background of their use, the development of undesirable effects is noted. In addition, they have a short-term effect. Due to these shortcomings, absorbable antacids are prescribed to patients much less frequently than non-absorbable ones.
Some of the drugs in this group are capable of releasing carbon dioxide as a result of contact with hydrochloric acid, as a result of which the stomach can stretch, and the secretion of gastric juice resumes.
Characteristic
It should be noted that a characteristic feature of absorbable antacids is the occurrence of acid rebound. It manifests itself immediately after the drug ceases to affect the body. The absorbable group includes baking soda, which is sodium bicarbonate. As a result of the interaction of the sodium compound with hydrochloric acid, carbon dioxide is released, which provokes the re-secretion of hydrochloric acid in large quantities, which, in turn, provokes the appearance of heartburn. This effect leads to the recommendation not to use baking soda to eliminate heartburn. In addition, the sodium present in soda is absorbed in the intestinal tissues, provoking the development of edema, and this is an undesirable phenomenon for patients suffering from pathologies.kidney and heart, pregnant women.
The group of absorbable antisecretory drugs includes such medicines as Vikalin, Vikair, Rennie. The main active substances in their composition are: calcium or magnesium carbonate, magnesium oxide, sodium bicarbonate.
Their mechanism of action for heartburn is similar to that of baking soda. However, in the process of neutralizing hydrochloric acid, carbon dioxide is not released, which is undoubtedly a plus, since there is no negative effect on the patient's well-being. It is important to bear in mind that the therapeutic effect of such medications does not last long.
Only a single dose of antisecretory agents of the specified group is allowed, if an emergency arises. It should be borne in mind that their use over a long period of time can cause exacerbations. It is not excluded the progression of such pathologies of the digestive tract as gastric ulcer.
Nonabsorbable antacids
The list of antisecretory agents is quite extensive. Compared to the group of absorbable drugs, non-absorbable ones are more effective, and the spectrum of undesirable effects arising from them is much narrower.
Nonabsorbable antacids can be roughly classified into three subgroups:
- Having aluminum phosphate as an active ingredient. This category of medicines includes "Phosphalugel" in gelform.
- Magnesium-aluminum antacids, which include the following drugs: Almagel, Maalox, Gastracid.
- Combined antacids, which, in addition to magnesium and aluminum s alts, contain other substances. This group includes gel antacids containing simethicone or anesthetics, for example Almagel Neo, Relzer.
The main substances of these drugs are absorbed by the gastric mucosa only in small quantities, then they are evacuated along with the urine. In the case where the patient suffers from a severe form of renal insufficiency, there may be difficulty in the evacuation of aluminum. In this regard, care must be taken when prescribing these medications to this category of patients.
Preparations of the group of non-absorbable antacids are able to neutralize, in addition to hydrochloric acid, also bile and pepsin. After entering the body, they envelop the mucous layers of the stomach, thereby protecting its walls from aggressive substances. In addition, they are able to activate the regeneration of damaged tissues.
Their therapeutic effect develops within 15 minutes, can last up to 4 hours.
Negative reactions
When using medicines of the nonabsorbable antacid group, the following negative reactions may develop:
- When using excessive dosages, there is a possibility of mild drowsiness. This risk increases if the patient haspathological abnormalities in the activity of the kidneys.
- Antisecretory agents containing calcium or aluminum s alts can cause bowel problems.
- Magnesium-based antacids have the ability to have a laxative effect, quite often provoke various digestive disorders.
- If the patient has an individual hypersensitivity, then negative effects such as vomiting and nausea may be noted. The appearance of such signs indicates the need to replace the used drug with its analogue.
- It is not excluded the development of allergic manifestations, expressed in rashes on the skin. In such cases, the patient is advised to stop using the antacid and consult a physician.
Basic rules of use
Antacids are produced by manufacturers in various pharmacological forms. It can be a gel, chewable tablets, suspensions, lozenges. The effectiveness of different pharmacological forms of the same drug is the same.
Multiplicity of tricks
The frequency of doses and the required dosage should be selected individually. As a rule, the patient is advised to take antacids after meals, after a two-hour break, and also before bedtime.
It must be remembered that the use of antacids in parallel with other drugs is unacceptable. This is duethe fact that any drugs in the presence of antacids will not be absorbed. Between taking antacids and antisecretory drugs, you should take a break of 2 hours.
