Heartburn is a burning feeling in the chest, behind the breastbone, or in the upper part of the abdomen that sometimes spreads to the throat. It is specifically related to the reflux of gastric acid. Heart Burn is often associated with a sour taste in the back of the mouth with or without regurgitation of the refluxate. Symptoms are more commonly observed after meals. HeartBurn is a common consequence of pregnancy. Approximate 22% of pregnant women experience heartburn in the first trimester, 39% in the second trimester, and 60% to 72% in the third trimester. Increases in the levels of female sex hormones such as progesterone can reduce lower esophageal sphincter pressure.
Acid suppression is the backbone of treating heartburn. There are different medications are available to treat Heart Burn among them antacids comprise a major class of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. Antacids provide prompt, symptomatic and short-term relief of heartburn. Antacids act by neutralizing excess hydrochloric acid (HCl) in stomach. An antacid helps to increase gastric pH from 1.5 to 3.5 and can reduce the concentration of gastric acid by 100-fold. A few clinical studies reported that some antacids can be safely used during pregnancy owing to their local action rather than systemic effects.
Antacid products come in powder, tablets, or liquids dosage forms. Antacids contain salts of magnesium, aluminum, calcium, sodium, carbon, or bismuth in their formulations. The combination of two salts, such as magnesium and aluminum, form the principal composition of most antacids. Each antacid ingredient has a unique mechanism with the ultimate goal of acid neutralization. Magnesium hydroxide reacts rapidly with gastric HCl to produce magnesium chloride and water. Aluminum hydroxide reacts with gastric HCl to produce aluminum chloride and water. Simethicone is used for the management of flatulence and bloating. It relieves the discomfort produced by the presence of excess gas in stomach. Therefore, products containing Magnesium hydroxide, Aluminum hydroxide, and Simethicone effectively manage heartburn, flatulence, and bloating. Moreover, antacids are recommended as first-line treatments for heartburn in pregnancy when lifestyle modifications fail. Magnesium and aluminum-containing antacids display good safety profiles during pregnancy, but they should not be used for long-term therapy or in large doses.