Comparison of the effects of over-the-counter famotidine and calcium carbonate antacid on postprandial gastric acid: a randomized controlled trial
Article Abstract:
Calcium antacids appear to reduce stomach acid levels much more quickly than histamine2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs) such as famotidine but do not last as long. Eighteen volunteers were fitted with a nasogastric tube so that the pH of their stomach contents could be monitored up to 10 hours after taking Tums antacid tablets or famotidine (Pepcid AC) 60 minutes after a meal. During the 10-hour study, the participants had a second and third meal two-and-a-half hours and six hours after taking the medications. The amount of acid neutralized by the medications could be estimated by measuring how much sodium bicarbonate was required to maintain their stomach fluid at a pH of 4. The antacid tablets reached their peak activity within 30 minutes and neutralized 6.7 mmol of acid every 30 minutes. But the effect only lasted one hour. Famotidine activity peaked at 90 minutes, but it suppressed 7.3 mmol of acid per 30 minutes and the effect lasted up to 9 hours.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1996
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Gastric acidity in older adults
Article Abstract:
Most elderly people probably have sufficient gastric acid to absorb drugs and nutrients. Researchers measured gastric acid in 248 elderly volunteers by having them swallow a chemical that produces quinine in the urine when stomach pH is lower than 3.5. They swallowed this chemical before eating breakfast so their stomachs would be empty and unstimulated. Eighty-four percent had a stomach pH of less than 3.5, indicating sufficient acid in the stomach. Two-thirds of those with insufficient gastric acid had evidence of atrophic gastritis, compared to only 5% of those with sufficient gastric acid.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1997
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Taste and smell losses in normal aging and disease
Article Abstract:
Some degree of taste and smell loss is probably normal with aging, but it can also be caused by medications, certain diseases, viral infections, chronic exposure to environmental toxins and head injury. Patients who complain of changes in the taste or smell of food and have unexplained weight loss should be thoroughly examined for possible taste or smell loss. Food flavors can be added to meats, soups and vegetables and this has been shown to result in improved immune function in elderly nursing home residents. Monosodium glutamate can also be used as a flavor-enhancer.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1997
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Clozapine treatment of schizophrenia. Effectiveness and cost of olanzapine and haloperidol in the treatment of schizophrenia: a randomized controlled trial
- Abstracts: Long-term effects of home visitation on maternal life course and child abuse and neglect: fifteen-year follow-up of a randomized trial