Antacid

Antacid medicines are used to prevent acidity in the stomach, by neutralizing stomach acidity. An antacid substance relieves heartburn, indigestion or stomach upset, etc. These medications are used to quickly relieve hurtburn, major symptoms of GERD, indigestion, etc. Antacids are distinct from acid reducing drugs. Antacids are best understood as those medicines that chemically neutralize major symptoms of GIT problems like acidity, pain, etc.

Versions with magnesium may cause diarrhoea, and brands with calcium or aluminium may cause constipation and rarely, long-term use may cause kidney stones. Long-term use of versions with aluminium may increase the risk for getting osteoporosis.

Antacids may be formulated with other active ingredients like simethicone to control gas or alginic acid to act as a physical barrier to acid.