Antacids side effects

Conversely, certain drugs modify the effectiveness or side effects of aspirin. Phenobarbital, occasionally used for seizures, induces liver enzymes that increase the metabolism and excretion of aspirin, (3-adrenoceptorblocking drugs, such as propranolol, and decrease the antiinflammatory effects of aspirin, whereas reserpine decreases its analgesic effects. Antacids decrease the absorption of aspirin. Alcohol consumption in combination with aspirin increases the latter s ulcerogenic effects. 

Aspirin s original use as an analgesic, antipyretic, and to reduce inflammation continues to this day, and more recently some evidence has been found that it may lessen the chance of heart attacks due to its effect as a blood thinner. Just as aspirin continues to provide the same benefits as a century ago, it also produces some of the same problems. The major problem is that it can upset the stomach. In the acidic environment of the stomach, aspirin can diffuse through the protective mucous lining of the stomach and rupture cells and produce bleeding. Under normal doses, the amount of blood loss in most individuals is only a milliliter or two, but in some individuals who take heavy doses bleeding can be severe. To counterattack this side effect, manufacturers include an antacid such as aluminum hydroxide and call the aspirin a buffered aspirin. As noted previ-... 

Antacids are basic compounds that neutralise acid in gastric lumen, have no effect on gastric acid secretion. They are quantitatively compared in terms of their acid neutralizing capacity (ANC), which is defined as the quantity of 1 N HCl (in MEq) that can be brought to pH 3.5 in 15 minutes by a unit dose of antacid preparation. An ideal antacid should be potent in neutralizing acid, inexpensive, not absorbed from GIT and contain negligible amounts of sodium, should be sufficiently palatable to be readily tolerated with repeated dosage and should be free of side effects. An ideal antacid is yet to be developed. 

Every single compound among the antacids have some serious side effects especially when used for longer period or used in elderly patients. To avoid these, the antacids combinations are used such as ... 

Some patients receiving indinavir exhibit nephrolithiasis/urolithiasis including flank pain that may be accompanied by hematuria. The frequency of nephrolithiasis is dependent on the period of treatment with indinavir. Other side effects associated with indinavir include insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, asymptomatic hyperbilirubinemia, HIV lipodystrophy syndrome and skin abnormalities. Indinavir should not be coadministered with drugs that affect the cytochrome P-450 system (CYP3A4). Antacids are not recommended within 2 h of its administration, specifically didano-sine containing an antacid buffer. 

Q4 Constipation can be a troublesome side effect of opiates used for pain relief, for example morphine and codeine. It is also a side effect of some calcium channel blocking agents, antacids containing aluminium compounds and iron salts used in the treatment of anaemia. 

Aspirin is often given in a buffered form. The addition of small amounts of antacids decreases GI irritation and increases the dissolution and absorption rate of the aspirin. Nonacetylated salicylates, including salsalate, sodium salicylate, choline salicylate, magnesium salicylate, and various salicylate combinations, are usually more expensive but can be effective. Although these aspirin substitutes provide less anti-inflammatory effects than aspirin, they exhibit minimal antiplatelet properties and have fewer GI side effects.They can therefore be useful for patients who cannot tolerate aspirin or other NSAIDs. 

When instituting NSAID therapy, patients should be advised of the following (1) the side effects of therapy, which can include GI discomfort and, rarely, more serious events such as GI bleeding (2) to avoid aspirin and alcoholic beverages and (3) to take the medication with fc>od, milk, or antacids if GI upset occurs. The commercially available fiarmulations and adult dosage recommendations are summarized in Table 7-2. 

Flurbiprofen, 100 mg three times daily, is a well-established first-line NSAID providing there is no evidence of vascular closure or scleral destruction on biomicroscopy. Flurbiprofen should provide pain relief within 2 days and improvement in clinical signs within 1 week. Indomethacin SR fiarmulation, 75 mg twice daily, is a well-established second-choice drug when flurbiprofen is not effective but has also been used as first line. NSAIDs that have shown efficacy and are now available in over-the-counter formulations include naproxen, 500 mg twice daily, and ibuprofen, 600 mg four times daily. If a simplified dosing schedule is a consideration, then pirox-icam, 20 mg/day, may be considered. Once effective control is established, a lower maintenance dose may suffice until the scleritis enters remission. To reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects, patients should be instructed to take NSAIDs with food or antacids. 

Antacids are generally used to relieve dyspeptic symptoms and they are taken intermittently when symptoms occur. Side effects and inconvenience limit their use as ulcer healing agents. 

Gabapentin. This agent is used as an adjunctive agent and is relatively safe from side effects in nonpregnant adult patients. There was noted a small decrease in gabapentin excretion with concurrent cimetidine administration, which was not clinically significant. It is recommended that gabapentin be taken at least 2 h after antacid administration. 

MgO conducts heat well, but electricity only poorly, and is used as an insulator in electric heaters. Mg(OH)2 is a base. It is not very soluble in water but forms instead a white colloidal suspension, which is used as a stomach antacid called milk of magnesia. A side effect of stomach acid neutralization is the formation of MgCL, which acts as a purgative. 

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