Acid-neutralizing-capacity(ANC) of some brands of antacids and other anti-ulcer drugs marketed in Jos Metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

The prevalence of high stress among the working class has significantly increased the incidences of some conditions such as the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and the Gastro- esophaegeal reflux disease (GERD). A number of antacids and other antiulcer drugs are produced to treat these conditions and it is important for patients to choose the best among them for quick relief. The acid- neutralizing capacity (ANC) of antacids determines the most effective and quick relieving agent of epigastric pain. This work was aimed at evaluating the ANC of some chewable antacid tablets, rabeprazole tablets, omeprazole capsules and ranitidine tablets using titrimetric method of analysis. Sixteen brands of the drugs within their shelf-life when study was carried out in 2019 were randomly procured from pharmacies in Jos Metropolis, Nigeria and evaluated for package information, visual characteristics, physicochemical properties and their ANC determined by back-titration. The results showed that all the brands provided adequate label information and passed important physicochemical attributes examinations. The result of their ANC showed that among the chewable tablets, brand B had the highest value of 12.4602 mEq, followed by brand D (11.3221 mEq) and brand C (10.9488 mEq). A chewable antacid tablet, brand A, showed a comparable ANC value to brand E, a proton pump inhibitor. Rabeprazole and Ranitidine performed better than omeprazole in neutralizing acids. In conclusion, the ANC of antacids tablets showed higher ANC values than H2-receptor antagonist or proton pump inhibitor, and gives credibility to their choice as drugs of first choice in acute epi-gastric pain. Brand B is the drug of choice among the brands tested.