Simple titrimetric method which can be used to determine the acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) of antacid suspensions

SUMMARY

The importance of an antacid preparation cannot be over emphasized in the health of an ulcer patient and those with heartburn. This study has revealed that different antacid preparations have different acid neutralizing capacities, all the brands qualified as antacids with each having PAT pH greater than 3.5. In addition, they all recorded ANC values above the acceptable limit of 5 mEq/dose. Sample T17 (Stopacid) had the highest ANC and had the highest buffering capacity (30 minutes), while sample T1 (Ulgicid) had the lowest ANC and buffering capacity. The titrimetric procedure used in this study is simple, inexpensive, and easy to use and could be used in routine monitoring of the quality of Antacid suspensions, especially in the absence of high technology equipment that are not easily available in most developing countries.