Antacids are an indispensable tool for people suffering from problems with the gastrointestinal tract. These are substances that can produce an operative anti-acid effect. The list of antacid preparations is quite large, so anyone can choose the most suitable means for themselves.
Indications for the use of antacids
The group of drugs-antacids includes aids that help to normalize the acidity of the gastric juice, which is what usually causes the severity, heartburn, discomfort, pain. As practice has shown, medicines can very effectively protect the mucosa from the destructive effects of acids.
Very often, antacids are prescribed for reflux esophagitis. Other indications for the use of drugs are as follows:
- peptic ulcer (funds can be taken both during an exacerbation, and for preventive purposes);
- gastritis;
- heartburn ;
- bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract;
- hypertension syndrome;
- functional dyspepsia;
- spasmodic pain.
Antacids may well act as independent therapeutic agents, but many specialists prefer to include them in the complex therapy. Take, for example, gel antacids with anesthetics. This combination of drugs has proven itself - medicines effectively and very quickly remove pain, while protecting the intestinal walls from irritation and injury.
Classification of antacids
For today it is accepted to allocate two basic groups of preparations-antacids:
- absorbed;
- not absorbable.
Both are similar in principle to action. The main difference is in the speed of the offensive and the duration of the effect. Absorbable antacids dissolve in the blood, so that they begin to act almost immediately after ingestion. The effect of taking nonabsorbable drugs will have to wait a little, but the medication will work for several hours.
The entire list of antacids can be considered safe. And nevertheless, the specialist should select the medicine after the diagnosis is clarified and thorough examination.
List of popular antacids
Most of these medicines can easily be purchased at any pharmacy. You do not even need a prescription for this. You probably heard the names of many drugs before.
So, the most effective absorbed antacids are:
- magnesium oxide or burnt magnesia;
- sodium mixture Bourges;
- sodium bicarbonate;
- magnesium carbonate;
- calcium carbonate;
- mixture of Rennie and Tams.
Taking the drugs of this group, you need to be prepared for some side effects: eructations, discomfort and bloating. The cause of this can serve as a result of the action of drugs carbon dioxide. In some patients, pressure is jumped due to antacids, so it is not recommended to take them to people who are predisposed to hypertension.
The list of non-absorbable antacids consists of such drugs:
- Phosphalugel ;
- Maalox;
- Almagel;
- Gasterin;
- Alfogel;
- Gestid;
- Relzer;
- Gastal;
- Alumag;
- Palmagel and others.
Side effects when taking these drugs are extremely rare. What is true, the organisms of individual patients can react to ingestion of aluminum derivatives (included in some unabsorbed antacids) by constipation.
Taking medicines of this group, you can not be afraid of an "acid ricochet" - a sharp increase in the number of irritants in the stomach that occurs after the end of some drugs.