Comparative Assessment of the Acid-Neutralizing Capacity, Price and selected Physical Properties of different Antacids Suspensions available in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

Background: Patients are often faced with the challenge of choosing an antacids suspension that will provide effective and prompt relief from excessive gastric acid secretion. Objective: The aim was to evaluate acid-neutralizing capacity (ANC), price and selected physical properties of twenty (20) brands of antacids suspensions from pharmacies in Benin metropolis, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: United States Pharmacopeia assay method was used to determine the ANC. Visual inspection, pH, relative density and flow times were determined using standard methods. Results: The ANC of all the brands of antacids suspensions was above the US FDA requirement for effective antacids (≥5 mEq per dose). Brand E had the highest ANC of 27.15 mEq/ 10 mL while brand C had the lowest at 11.60 mEq/ 10 mL. All the antacids suspensions had pH range between 7.30 and 8.76. The flow time was found to be highest with sample N (70.11 ± 0.35) min and lowest with sample A (0.27 ± 0.01) min. The relative density was highest with sample N (1.28 ± 0.02) and lowest with sample B (1.03 ± 0.00). There was no significant difference in ANC values between imported and locally manufactured antacids suspensions. However, there was significant difference in their prices. Conclusion: Rapid and effective acid-neutralizing capacity of antacids is achieved with antacids suspensions containing at least two active pharmaceutical ingredients. Most of the antacids contain aluminium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide. When medication is needed for symptomatic relief from acid reflux disorders, antacids containing these active ingredients will be effective.