​Pharmacology - Aluminum Hydroxide

​Pharmacology - Aluminum Hydroxide 
Reduces the pH of the intestinal lumen.

Method of Operation 
By neutralizing the hydrochloric acid (HCl) that is secreted in the stomach, antacids are weak bases. The activity of pepsin is also reduced, which is a beneficial effect of the rise of pH. Contributes to the production of prostaglandins.

Aluminum and magnesium hydroxides are not absorbed very well from the digestive tract, and they do not have any systemic effects.
It is possible that NaHCO3 and CaCO3 will have major systemic effects because they are absorbed.

Use in Clinical Settings 
In the short term, alleviation from symptoms associated with duodenal ulcers! The medication for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) must be taken five to seven times each day.

Allergies and Reactions 
Constipation is a reaction to Al(OH)3.
CaCO3 makes hypercalcemia more likely.
The osmotic purgative activity of Mg(OH)2 is stronger than that of other laxatives. CO2 is released when NaHCO3 and CaCO3 are combined, which results in belching as well as metabolic alkalosis.

Calcium and aluminum salts formed a compound with tetracyclines that were taken orally in order to impede the absorption of the antibiotics.