Global Journal of Pharmacology 9 (3): 278-281, 2015
ISSN 1992-0075
© IDOSI Publications, 2015
DOI: 10.5829/idosi.gjp.2015.9.3.95226
Comparative Study among the Different Formulation of
Antacid Tablets by Using Acid-Base Neutralization Reaction
1
Md. Jakaria, 1Rashaduz Zaman, 1Mohammad Parvez, 1Minhajul Islam,
2
Md. Areeful Haque, 1Mohammed Abu Sayeed and 1Md. Hazrat Ali
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science and Engineering,
International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC), Chittagong 4203, Bangladesh
2
Drug and Herbal Research Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia,
Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1
Abstract: Antacids were the mainstay of treatment for acid-peptic disorders until the advent of Hreceptor
antagonist and proton pump inhibitors. We attempted to compare the activity of the different antacid
tablets formulation by using acid-base neutralization reaction studies. This experiment based on acid-base
neutralization reaction studies between independent variable (sample of antacid) and dependent variable
(amount of acid needed to neutralize the antacid). The tablet code no. D neutralizes highest (7 ml) of acid
solution and lowest (1.2 ml) was neutralizing by antacid code no. C. The sequences of antacid according to
amount of acid required to neutralization was D> E> B> A> C. This in-vitro study may help in the deepest
research works such as design and discovery of new antacid formulation.
Key words: Antacids
Acid Solution
Neutralization
INTRODUCTION
In vitro
aluminium hydroxide, aluminium phosphate, magnesium
trisilicate,
magnesium
hydroxide, magnesium
carbonate and calcium carbonate [5, 6]. The systemic
antacid most commonly used is sodium bicarbonate.
There occurs no systemic absorption of the bases among
non systemic antacids, because the salt formed with
combination of the gastric acid combines with the
bicarbonate in the intestine to form the original base
which will be excreted in the feces [7, 8]. Table 1 shows
some the most common active ingredients in antacid
tablets. These compounds neutralize stomach acid to
produce salts and water [9].
Complex antacids are major type of antacids other
than systemic and non-systemic antacids e.g., magaldrate,
almagate and hydrotalcite etc. Magaldrate is a
hydroxymagnesium aluminate. It contains the equivalent
of 28-39% magnesium oxide and 17-25% aluminum oxide.
It has a homogenous material since the aluminium and
magnesium components dissolve concurrently. It reacts
with acid in stages; the hydroxymagnesium ion is
relatively rapidly converted to magnesium ion and the
aluminate to hydrated aluminium hydroxide and thence to
aluminium salts.
Antacids are commonly used world over as over the
counter (OTC) or prescribed medications. They were the
mainstay of treatment for acid-peptic disorders until the
advent of H receptor antagonist and proton pump
inhibitors. They have been used in the treatment for
acid-peptic disorders such as peptic ulcers, gastritis,
gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and functional
dyspepsia [1, 2]. Antacids are basic substances that
reduce gastric acidity by neutralizing hydrochloric acid
[3]. Therapeutic efficacy and adverse effects depend also
on the metallic ion with which the base is combined.
The metallic ion is usually aluminium, magnesium or
sodium and hydroxide is the most common base, but
trisillicate, carbonate and bicarbonate are also used [4].
The antacids can be classified into two major types
one is systemic antacids and another one is non systemic
antacids. Systemic antacid is the one that undergoes
complete systemic absorption following oral ingestion.
The non systemic antacids are the one that does not
undergo systemic absorption following the oral ingestion.
The most commonly used non systemic antacids are
Corresponding Author: Md. Jakaria, Department of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Chittagong,
Chittagong, 4203, Bangladesh. Tel: +8801823618436.
278
Global J. Pharmacol., 9 (3): 278-281, 2015
Table 1: Common antacids and it’s mechanism of action through neutralizing reaction with acid
Compound
Chemical formula
Chemical Reaction
Aluminum hydroxide
Calcium carbonate
Magnesium carbonate
Magnesium hydroxide
Sodium bicarbonate
Al(OH) 3
CaCO 3
MgCO 3
Mg(OH)3
NaHCO 3
Al(OH)3 (s) + 3 HCl (aq) = AlCl3 (aq) + 3 (H2 O)(l)
CaCO 3 (s) + 2 HCl (aq) = CaCl2 (aq) + H2 O(l) + CO 2 (g)
MgCO 3 (s) + 2 HCl (aq) = MgCl2 (aq) + H 2 O(1) + CO 2 (g)
Mg(OH)3 (s) + 2 HCl (aq) = MgCl2 (aq) + 2 H 2 O(1)
NaHCO 3 (aq) + HCl (aq) = NaCl2 (aq) + H2 O (l) + CO 2 (g)
Alginic acid may be combined with the antacid to
encourage the adherence of the antacid to the mucosa
and it also acts like a protective to the gastric mucosa.
Simethicone or dimethicone are included in the antacid as
an foaming agent to reduce flatulence by lowering the
surface tension and allowing the small bubbles of froth to
coalesce into large bubbles that can be more easily be
passed up from the stomach or down from the colon [9].
In our present study, we attempted to compare the
activity of the different antacid tablets formulation by
using acid-base neutralization reaction studies.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Reagents: Analytical grade reagents
hydrochloric acid and distilled water.
were
0.1N
Glasswares: Volumetric flask, funnel, beakers, Measuring
cylinder, burette, pipette and stirrer used were of Pyrex
type and were washed followed by thorough washing
with water.
Instruments:
Theses include:
Weighing Balance: Precision balance, LF224DR,
Shinko Denshi Co., ltd.
pH Meter: HANNA Instruments, HI-98107, Europe
(Romania)
Sample Information: The five different antacid
tablets formulation were purchased from a local
drug shop located in Bayezid Bostami thana of
Chittagong district. Shows label information of
different brands (Table 2) and contents in each
sample showing in Table 3.
Experimental
Design: This experiment based on
acid-base neutralization reaction studies between
independent variable (sample of antacid) and dependent
variable (amount of acid needed to neutralize the
antacid). The five beakers were filled with 200 ml of
water each. Using the marker pen, the five beakers
were labeled with code numbers A, B, C, D and E. Each
tablet form of antacid was crushed first using the
mortar and pestle then five types of antacids were
mixed together with the water in their respective
beakers, named according to the code number of
sample. 40 ml 0.1N of hydrochloric acid was poured into
the burette. The burette was placed over the beaker
labeled for sample A. The acid in the burette is inserted,
drop by drop fallen into the beaker. With every drop, the
solution was mixed using a stirrer and the pH reading is
taken, until it reaches at 7.0. The amount of acid required
to neutralize the solution in the beaker is recorded in the
table below. The burette was refilled with hydrochloric
acid until 40 ml again for the next samples B, C, D and E.
Titrations were performed repeatedly for each sample like
sample A.
Table 2: Label information of antacid tablets
Sl. No
Brand Name
Batch No.
Mfg. Lic. No
DAR No
Mfg. Date
Exp. Date
Manufactured by
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Entacyd
Entacyd Plus
Maganta Plus
Algicid
XCID
405001
T0514048
505002
14014
407004
33&114
250&115
33&114
193&108
33&114
012-947-50
036-162-50
012-1089-29
116-953-29
012-875-67
May, 2014
June, 2014
May, 2015
Sep, 2014
Jul, 2014
Apr, 2016
Oct, 2016
Apr, 2017
Aug, 2016
Jun, 2016
SquarePharma. Ltd.
SquarePharma. Ltd.
SquarePharma. Ltd.
Incepta Pharma. Ltd.
SquarePharma. Ltd.
Table 3: Contents of sample of antacids
Sl. No
Brand Name
A.
Entacyd
Contains
Dried Aluminium Hydroxide Gel BP 250 mg (Al2 O3 47%, minimum) and Magnesium Hydroxide BP 400 mg
B.
Entacyd Plus
Dried Aluminium Hydroxide Gel BP 425.53 mg (Al2 O3, 47% minimum) and Magnesium Hydroxide BP 400 mg and Simethicone USP 30 mg
C.
Maganta Plus
Magaldrate USP 480 mg and Simethicone USP 20 mg
D.
Algicid
Sodium Alginate BP 500 mg and Potassium Bicarbonate BP 100 mg.
E.
XCID
Calcium Carbonate BP 1000 mg
279
Global J. Pharmacol., 9 (3): 278-281, 2015
Fig. 1: Acid neutralizing efficacy of different antacid tablet formulations
RESULTS
This capacity may vary due to the variation in the tablet
formulation. It was observed that the tablet formulation
Sodium Alginate BP 500 mg and Potassium Bicarbonate
BP 100 mg had higher acid neutralizing capacity.
The physician should use the antacids with the higher
neutralizing capacity to obtain faster symptomatic relief
from dyspepsia. This in-vitro study may help in the
further research works such as design and discovery of
new antacid formulation.
All the tablet formulations have effect on pH of acid
solution. The tablet code no. D neutralizes highest 7 ml of
acid solution and lowest 1.2 ml neutralize by antacid code
no. C. The sequences from greatest efficacy to lowest
efficacy of antacid according to amount of acid
neutralization was D> E> B> A> C (Figure 1).
DISCUSSION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The main properties of antacid are; a small dose of
antacid should neutralize an adequate volume of gastric
acid, the maximum neutralizing effect should be achieved
rapidly, the action should be maintained for a sufficient
length of time and an antacid should ideally produce
prolonged neutralization when administered in acceptable
amounts. The measure of the antacid “capacity” of a
preparation in terms of hydrochloric acid units with which
physician is familiar and also in terms of pH values [10].
Theoretically ideal neutralization is the maintenance of
gastric contents at a pH of 3.0 to 5.0 at which level pepsin
activity is considerably reduced [11-13].
Our study shows that among the all types of
antacids, systemic antacid (Sodium Alginate BP 500 mg
and Potassium Bicarbonate BP 100 mg) has the greatest
effect. In terms of the non systemic antacid, Calcium
Carbonate BP 1000 mg has greatest effect. The non
systemic antacid (Dried Aluminium Hydroxide Gel BP
425.53 mg, Magnesium Hydroxide BP 400 mg and
Simethicone USP 30 mg) has the greatest efficacy from
similar contents of antacid (Dried Aluminium Hydroxide
Gel BP 250 mg and Magnesium Hydroxide BP 400 mg).
In the case of complex antacid (Magaldrate USP 480 mg &
Simethicone USP 20 mg) has lowest effect on acid
solution.
Acid neutralizing capacity is the most important
factor in determining the potency of the antacid.
The authors greatly acknowledge to the
Department of Pharmacy, International Islamic
University Chittagong (IIUC), for supports of valuable
instruments and equipments during period of
laboratory work.
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