Medical management of peptic ulcer with reference to anti-ulcer agents in other gastro-intestinal diseases

A comparative assessment of a new antacid formulation based on magaldrate

A new antacid formulation (Dynese) based on magaldrate, a discrete chemical entity with marked antacid properties, has been compared in vitro with several commercially available antacid preparations. All preparations were tested for their ability to maintain gastric pH within acceptable limits and to effectively bind bile acids. Sodium concentrations were also determined. Dynese was shown to compare very favourably with existing preparations in that it had a prolonged even neutralization profile, efficient bile acid binding properties and a low sodium content.

A comparative evaluation of liquid antacids commercially available in the United Kingdom

Twenty-six liquid antacids have been assessed using a procedure which permits comparisons to be made in terms of 'antacid efficiency' parameter which reflects both the ability to maintain pH above 3 and the duration of the effect. A wide variation in activity was demonstrated in the preparations tested and it was concluded that antacids could be classified into four categories according to potency.

Medical treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcer

Antacids prove ready if only temporary relief of the symptoms of ulcers. Physicians have been able to increase the rate of healing of gastric ulcers by advising patients to stop smoking and then either admit them to hospital for bed-rest, or use carbenoxolone sodium as an outpatient therapy. The early trials of some other drugs have shown increase in rate of healing of gastric ulcer, but there is no medical treatment which will prevent the high recurrence rate of benign gastric ulcer. The limited data indicate that adequate medical reduction in acid secretion and enhancement of mucosal resistance may benefit patients with duodenal ulcer.

Peptic ulcer disease

Smoking, heredity, aspirin ingestion, and various diseases are associated with increased prevalence of peptic ulcer disease. Significant pathophysiologic differences between ulcer patients and normal subjects have been shown to exist, but many of the observed abnormalities are still poorly understood and require further study. Prospective studies are also needed to quantitate the role of psychologic factors in the pathogenesis of ulcer disease. Ulcer disease is diagnosed by history, physical examination, upper gastrointestinal radiography, and endoscopy. In some patients measurements of serum gastrin levels and gastric acid secretion at rest and after stimulation give significant information. Antacids and anticholinergics remain the primary therapeutic agents; new therapeutic agents are currently under study.