Acid Neutralizing Capacity of Selected Antacid Suspensions Available in the Ghanaian Market

Antacids are substances commonly used by patients to obtain fast symptomatic relief from dyspepsia. They are weak bases which neutralize excess gastric acid and subsequently raise the pH of the gastric contents. The potency of the antacids depends mainly on their acid neutralization capacity (ANC) and this can vary from one brand to another. Several dosage forms of antacids are available for use by patients. However, In Ghana, suspensions are the commonest dosage form of antacids which is preferred by patients.

The objective of this study was to determine the acid neutralizing capacity of six (6) randomly selected brands of antacid suspensions on the Ghanaian market using potentiometric acid-base titration. The samples were coded A-F to avoid any bias in the study. All the sampled brands had more than one year to expiry as indicated on their label.

Brand D had the highest ANC of 29.70 mEq/dose whiles brand A had the lowest ANC of 11.25 mEq/dose. From the results obtained, it can be inferred that acid neutralization can be more effective and rapidly achieved with liquid antacids containing a high amount of magnesium hydroxide and aluminium Hydroxide. Hence, for acute symptomatic relief from dyspepsia, antacids containing a higher concentration of magnesium hydroxide and aluminium hydroxide would be most beneficial to patients.