A Comparative Study of the Acid Neutralizing Capacity of Various Commercially Available Antacid Formulations in Libya Prakash
Katakam*,
Noha M. Tantosh, AwatefM. AIEshy, Laila J. Rajab and Abdulbaset Faculty of Pharmacy, 7th of April University, Zawia, Libya * correspondence to
[email protected]
A. Elfituri
;\ bstract: This study was aimed to investigate and compare the acid neutralizing capacity of nine commercially available antacid formulations sold in Libya. The organoleptic properties, sodium content, ANC and price to the patient were compared for the selected ;llltacids. Most of the formulations were mint flavoured which shows that mint could be the popular flavouring agent in the marketed antacid products of different dosage forms. Palatability was found to be highest in Gaviscon® suspension. In chewable tablet dosage forms, Topaal® has SllOWTI better palatability and comparable with suspension antacids. The pH of all the antacid I(lrmulations at 0 min time was found to be between 5.22 and 9.35, indicating that the pH of all t he antacids can be maintained, well above 3.5 which is the threshold pH for acidity of the ,"
3. (±Sd)
')~:>";&i:\'
~m-h\>ido~age, )f,~o,.,\m.'h.i' or 5 gT, or (Oi, '. / ~,.:;. '(' tflb) t
>.
sodium '~content (rttg/ (\os~)-
sodium content per daily dose of 280 mEq of antacid
average' price t,9 . patient;: :(LD)
average price (LD) to patient per 100 ml or 10 tablets or 10 sachets
High ANC group NA
NA
1.75
1.450
Sedo-Mag
suspensiOn
28.93
GastroGel
suspension
27.63
NA
NA
3.5
1.400
ENO
effervescent powder suspension
26.28
558.57
5951
2.5 per 10 sachets 2.25
2.500
Intermediate ANC group
Fawar Fawakeh
chewable tablet chewable tablet effervescent salt
20.35
NA
0.5 per strip 0.6 per strip 5 per 10 sachets
Low ANC group 7.25 chewable tablet
Nine antacid marketed preparations were tested for ANC along with other properties. All antacids were white or off-white in colour except Gaviscon(i
