The assessment of gastric acidity and antacid effect in pregnant women by a non-invasive radiotelemetry technique

• Published in: British journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Vol. 91; no. 10; p. 973
• Main Authors: O'Sullivan, G M, Bullingham, R E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.10.1984
• Subjects: Adult; Antacids - pharmacology; Citrates - pharmacology; Citric Acid; Female; Gastric Acid - metabolism; Gastric Acidity Determination; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Magnesium - pharmacology; Magnesium Silicates; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Third; Silicic Acid - pharmacology; Silicon Dioxide - pharmacology; Tablets; Telemetry
• ISSN: 0306-5456
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1984.tb03673.x

Non-invasive radiotelemetry techniques were used for the in-vivo assessment of gastric acidity and the effect of antacids in non-pregnant women and women in the third trimester of pregnancy. A particulate (magnesium trisilicate mixture) and a non-particulate (sodium citrate) antacid were studied. There was no significant difference in basal gastric acidity and gut transit time between the pregnant and non-pregnant subjects. The median and range of values for the efficacy (defined as the integrated area under the pH/time curves) of sodium citrate was 138.3 pH.min (29.8-520.7) in the non-pregnant and 103.0 pH.min (54.3-375.6) in the pregnant subjects. The median and range of values for the duration of action of sodium citrate were 38.6 (18.1-147.4) min in the non-pregnant and 30.5 (20.0-119.1) min in the pregnant women. Magnesium trisilicate mixture resulted in a greater intragastric pH change and had a greater efficacy than sodium citrate, but the duration of action of the two antacids was similar.