Effectiveness of Antacids Author: Sri Harshitha Introduction

This experiment was to find how effective was the antacid neutralising the acid by using different types of antacids. Antacids were basically used to neutralise the acid in a very short span of time. It is mostly used to relieve heartburn by neutralising the acid in the second when they reach the body. Heartburn was the form of indigestion felt as a burning sensation in the chest, caused by acid regurgitation. It is a very offensive condition which can be greatly painful. A person who affects from heartburn feels it as he is suffering from a heart attack It normally occurs when hydrochloric acid from the stomach escapes into the oesophagus.

The longer the antacid stays in the stomach the longer it works to relieve heartburn. There were different types of antacids with different ingredients like calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, aluminium hydroxide and/or sodium bicarbonate. Popular brands of Antacids with above ingredients are: Alka-Seltzer. Milk of Magnesia. Alternagel, Amphojel. Gaviscon, Gelusil, Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids. Pepto-Bismol. Tums. Antacids which were used in the experiment and compositions are: Image Compositions per tablet 680mg of Calcium carbonate 80mg of magnesium carbonate 250mg of sodium alginate 133.5mg of sodium bicarbonate 80mg of calcium carbonate 400mg of dried aluminium hydroxide 400mg of magnesium hydroxide 40mg of simethicone 324mg of aspirin In most of the antacids, calcium carbonate was the active ingredient as it was strong and fast-acting antacid. Aim: To know how effective antacid neutralises the acid using different types of acids Materials and method: Materials required: Water 100ml Beakers 0.1M Hydrochloric acid Universal indicator Universal indicator card Weighing machine Different types of antacids(tablets) Stirring rod Method: 1g of Rennie was crushed and dropped in the beaker.

Then 10 ml of water, 16 drops of universal indicator were dropped in the beaker and the mixture was mixed with the stirring rod. The colour that was seen in the experiment after stirring was light green with a pH of 7. Then 1 drop of o.1 M of hydrochloric acid was evenly added until the mixture was changed into acid. The same process was repeated for Mylanta, Gaviscon, Alka-seltzer. Value of ph was 8 for Mylanta, 7 for Gaviscon and 6 for Alka-seltzer when mixture of 10 ml of water and 16 drops of universal indicator was stirred. Safety Precautions: The experiment was done in a lab bench Eye protective glasses were kept by everyone who was doing an experiment in order to protect from eye burns or eye injuries Hydrochloric acid was not touched by anyone in the experiment. The body should be cleaned with liquid if acid is spilled anywhere in the body Results: Figure 1. In Figure 1, it can be seen that : For 0 drops of HCl, ph value of Mylanta was 8 which was basic whereas other antacids are not basic for zero drops which makes people who are doing experiment think that Mylanta was so effective for heartburns.

But Mylanta didn't maintain its ph value as there was a drastic decrease from 8 to 4.5 within 5 drops which was so acidic whereas other antacids maintain its ph value mainly Gaviscon and Alka-Seltzer. Rennie and Gaviscon are similar as their ph values are same in almost all cases. As Mylanta was so acidic when it goes inside the body it takes much more time to neutralise the acid present in the body to prevent heartburn. So it was the worst effective antacid compared to other antacids. With regards to Gaviscon and Rennie, when they go into the body takes less time to neutralise the acid present in the body while compared to Mylanta. Alka seltzer is completely different from these antacids as it contains aspirin which is a painkiller. Aspirin is used to reduce fever and relieve mild to moderate pain from conditions such as muscle aches, toothaches, common cold, and headaches. It may also be used to reduce pain and swelling in conditions such as arthritis. The image that is seen in the experiment after adding 30 drops of HCl, 16 drops 0f UI, 10ml of water for all antacids is: The strange observation which was seen in the experiment was: Gaviscon solution is so thick as a solid. The clear image of Gaviscon is : Discussion: Based on the results, Gaviscon and Rennie are best antacids to recommend others as it neutralizes stomach acid by providing fast-acting relief in mild or isolated cases of acid reflux. It neutralises acid in a short span of time as it is less acidic. Normally based on my research it is said that Calcium carbonate is strong and fast-acting antacid.

Antacids that contain calcium carbonate may work longer than those containing sodium bicarbonate or magnesium. Each tablet contains 500 to 1000 milligrams of calcium carbonate. Based on my results, Antacids which are having Calcium carbonate are Gaviscon and Rennie. Maybe the reason for Rennie and Gaviscon as best effective antacids for heartburn is as they have calcium carbonate as their ingredient. As per my research Aluminium Salts takes time to dissolve. It gradually relieves heartburn by causing some sort of side effects like constipation whereas Magnesium Salts also have same features as Aluminium salts but side effects are diarrhea. Sodium bicarbonate is generally found in products like Alka-Seltzer®, baking soda. It relieves heartburn symptoms as fast as possible and also eliminates from the stomach as fast as possible -so relief may not last as long. When the same experiment is done, my improvements are testing hydrochloric acid with many antacids and painkillers. Considering the effects of painkillers and antacids after doing the experiment I will separate painkillers and antacids and lost them in my results which highlight the experiment.

The second change that I would like to do is to compare the results of various experiments by changing the amount of universal indicator or by using different universal indicators in each experiment. In real life situation, Mylanta is stronger and best effective for heartburns than other antacids in real life situation. Most of the doctors suggest patients to use Mylanta to prevent heartburn but according to the experiment which is done by us, it is said that Mylanta is worst effective antacid. While experiment is done antacid was first added to the testube and HCl was added to neutralise the antacid.This might be the error in the experiment. Instead of this the process of the experiment should be done reverse like first adding HCl and then antacid should be added to neutralise the HCl. Because of this errors the experiment which was done is not suitable for aim.