Information on antacids and antacid therapies Healthcare professionals and scientists have carefully prepared this ALtruis Biomedical Network-affiliated site, intended for informational purposes only . They reduce gastric acidity and thereby reduce the activity of pepsin. Antacids differ in their reaction time, neutralizing capacity, side effects, complications and price.
Tablets are much less efficient than their liquid counterparts as well.
The dose-response relationship of antacids is variable depending on individual variation in gastric acid secretion and the rate of gastric emptying. Some people produce more gastric acid and are 'hypersecretors' while others are under secretors or 'hyposecretors'. The aluminum chloride salt that is formed in the reaction with gastric acid is insoluble and can cause constipation . Absorption of certain drugs, such as tetracycline , is inhibited by this antacid. Phosphate also may be rendered unabsorbable due to salt formation and cause a bone condition called osteomalacia.