Medical uses of aluminum hydroxide

Aluminum hydroxide has many medical functions and a wide range of uses. It is often used to treat excessive gastric acid. We know that sodium hydroxide is an alkaline chemical. It can play a good role in relieving and neutralizing gastric acid. In addition, sodium hydroxide is a non-toxic and harmless substance. It reacts with gastric acid to produce aluminum chloride, which can be successfully excreted from the body.

Medical uses of aluminum hydroxide

1. Pharmacological action Aluminum hydroxide is a typical and commonly used antacid, which has the effects of antacid, adsorption, local hemostasis and protection of ulcer surface. Aluminum hydroxide has a chemical reaction that neutralizes or buffers the gastric acid already in the stomach, but it has no direct effect on the secretion of gastric acid. Its antacid effect is slow and long-lasting. The neutralizing and buffering effects of aluminum hydroxide can lead to an increase in the pH value of gastric contents, thereby alleviating the symptoms of excessive gastric acid.

However, it should be pointed out that its ability to neutralize acids is lower than that of magnesium-containing preparations and calcium carbonate, but higher than that of aluminum carbonate and sodium dihydroxyaluminum carbonate. When aluminum hydroxide reacts with gastric acid, the aluminum chloride produced has an astringent effect and can stop bleeding locally, but it may also cause constipation. When aluminum hydroxide reacts with gastric acid, the aluminum chloride produced has an astringent effect and can stop bleeding locally, but it may also cause constipation. Aluminum hydroxide also mixes with gastric juice to form a gel, which covers the surface of the ulcer to form a protective film, playing a mechanical protective role.

In addition, since aluminum ions combine with phosphate in the intestine to form insoluble aluminum phosphate and are excreted from the feces, patients with uremia can reduce the absorption of intestinal phosphate after taking large doses of aluminum hydroxide, thereby alleviating acidemia (but at the same time, the above-mentioned side effects should be noted).

2. Pharmacokinetics : A small amount of aluminum hydroxide is converted into soluble aluminum chloride in the stomach, which is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and excreted in the urine. Most of it is excreted from the feces in the form of aluminum phosphate, aluminum carbonate and fatty acid salts; aluminum hydroxide takes effect slowly, and the length of its effect in the stomach is related to the speed of gastric emptying. The effect of the medicine can last for 20 to 30 minutes if taken on an empty stomach, and can be extended to 3 hours if taken 1 to 2 hours after a meal. Indications 1. It can relieve symptoms such as acid reflux caused by excessive gastric acid, and is suitable for the treatment of gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, reflux esophagitis, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding. 2. When used in combination with calcium and vitamin D, it can treat neonatal hypocalcemia (tetany).

Contraindications 1. Patients with fractures should not take this medicine. 2. Patients with hypophosphatemia (such as malabsorption syndrome) should not take this product. 3. It is not suitable for premature infants and infants (because infants can easily absorb aluminum and there is a risk of aluminum poisoning). 4. It is not suitable for people with insufficient secretion of strong alkaline digestive juices such as bile and pancreatic juice or excretion disorders.

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