antacids
Last reviewed 01/2018
There are two types of antacids:
- alkaline salts which neutralises the gastric acid:
- aluminium salts
- magnesium salts
- sodium bicarbonate
- foaming agents:
- alginates form an antacid raft over the stomach contents and may coat the stomach
These products may be used in combination:
- aluminium/magnesium combination:
- aluminium causes constipation
- magnesium causes diarrhoea
- the combination may cause fewer gastrointestinal side-effects
- sodium + aluminium + magnesium + alginate is marketed as Gaviscon