antacids

[maxandruby]

Could anyone tell me why drugs under antacids class need to be given 1 hr ac or 2 hr pc other meds?

Lots of thanks in advance.

Max

[KellNY, RN]

Are you a nsg. student?

I'm thinking you are (sorry if I'm wrong), and so think about it....

What does an antacid do?

Why wouldn't you want to do that when trying to digest a med?

[maxandruby]

Well, antacids decrease the acidity of gastric by bringing the pH level up, right? But I still don't get the connection of why it need to be given it before or after other meds. (I'm totally confused...and yes,I'm a sng. student)

[KellNY, RN]

You need that acid to break down and digest those other meds.

[maxandruby]

So 1 hr ac to get the pH up, and 2hr pc to break down other meds?

[KellNY, RN]

Yep--one hour ac to let everything return to its normal acidic self, or 2hr pp to give the meds a chance to begin their digestive journey through the gut.

[maxandruby]

Thank you Kell. It's been a long night for me...but you got me through...now I can go to sleep:).

Max

[RN28MD]

max.. keep in mind that antacids change the ph which influences the absorption of other meds. it can increase their effect or decrease. this is why is recommended to give it 1 hr between certain meds such as cimetidine and rantidine.

also a huge one is that all antacids cause enteric coated meds to dissolve in the stomach. so same here: administer them 1 hr apart from the enteric coated meds and weakly acidic drugs (digoxin, phenytoin, tetracycline). because if you don't then the enteric coated med will dissolve in the stomach. the whole reason why it is coated is to bypass the stomach. if these meds are for say dissolved (opened) in the stomach it can cause ulcerations. they are to dissolve in the intestine. i hope this helps a little.

[maxandruby]

Thank you RN28MD, your info is a big help...you make it very clear.

Your kindness is truly appreciated.

Max

[RN28MD]

You are so welcome Max.. any time.