antacid

antacid
/ant as"id/, adj.
1. preventing, neutralizing, or counteracting acidity, as of the stomach.
n.
2. an antacid agent.
[1725-35; ANT- + ACID]

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Any substance, such as sodium bicarbonate, magnesium hydroxide, or aluminum hydroxide, used to relieve the discomfort caused by indigestion, gastritis, and several forms of ulcers.

Antacids counteract or neutralize gastric acidity for up to three hours after a single dose. Antacids should be taken when gastric acidity is most likely to be increasing
namely, between one and three hours after each meal and at bedtime.

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also spelled  antiacid  

      any substance, such as sodium bicarbonate, magnesium hydroxide, or aluminum hydroxide, used to counteract or neutralize gastric acids and relieve the discomfort caused by gastric acidity. indigestion, gastritis, and several forms of ulcers (ulcer) are alleviated by the use of antacids.

      Numerous nonprescription liquid antacids reduce the gastric acidity of indigestion or gastritis for up to three hours after a single dose. Of the many liquid antacids available, those consisting of either magnesium or aluminum alkalinizing agents are preferable to antacids containing calcium salts, which have been shown to lead to a secondary increase in gastric acidity. Antacids should be taken when gastric acidity is most likely to be increasing, namely, between one and three hours after each meal and at bedtime. Although they are more convenient, antacid tablets are not nearly so effective as liquid forms. Because magnesium-containing antacids tend to have a laxative effect if used regularly and aluminum-containing antacids tend to constipate, many patients prefer to alternate doses of the two types.

      In the treatment of ulcers, acid secretion can be reduced by several agents that block the action of hormones on the acid-secreting parietal cells of the stomach. Histamine receptor antagonists such as famotidine, ranitidine (Zantac™), and cimetidine (Tagamet™) block histamine receptors on the parietal cells and are effective for about 12 hours. The most potent acid-inhibitory drugs are the proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole, lansoprazole, and rabeprazole that block the final pathway of acid secretion and are effective for 15 to 17 hours. Histamine receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors, when given in conjunction with medication to eradicate Helicobacter pylori, are highly successful in healing duodenal ulcers.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • antacid — [ant΄as′id] adj. [ ANT(I) + ACID] that neutralizes acids; counteracting acidity n. an antacid substance, such as sodium bicarbonate …   English World dictionary

  • Antacid — Ant*ac id, n. [Pref. anti + acid.] (Med.) A remedy for acidity of the stomach, as an alkali or absorbent. a. Counteractive of acidity. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • antacid — 1732, adjective and noun, medical hybrid from ANTI (Cf. anti ) + ACID (Cf. acid) …   Etymology dictionary

  • antacid — antàcīd m <G mn antacída> DEFINICIJA farm. sredstvo koje neutralizira ili veže višak kiseline u želucu ETIMOLOGIJA anti + lat. acidus: kiseo …   Hrvatski jezični portal

  • antacid — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ preventing or correcting acidity in the stomach …   English terms dictionary

  • Antacid — A spilled bottle of antacid tablets An antacid is a substance which neutralizes stomach acidity. Contents 1 Mechanism of action …   Wikipedia

  • antacid — UK [æntˈæsɪd] / US noun [countable] Word forms antacid : singular antacid plural antacids a medicine that reduces the amount of acid in your stomach …   English dictionary

  • antacid — Buffer Buff er (b[u^]f [ e]r), n. [Prop a striker. See {Buffet} a blow.] 1. (Mech.) (a) An elastic apparatus or fender, for deadening the jar caused by the collision of bodies; as, a buffer at the end of a railroad car. (b) A pad or cushion… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • antacid — noun Date: 1732 an agent that counteracts or neutralizes acidity • antacid adjective …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • antacid — 1. Neutralizing an acid. 2. Any agent that reduces or neutralizes acidity, as of the gastric juice or any other secretion ( e.g., calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide). SYN: antiacid. * * * ant·ac·id …   Medical dictionary

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