k. Other. Many other antacid preparations are stocked in military and civilian
pharmacies. You should use available references (Physicians' Desk Reference, United
States Pharmacopeia Dispensing Information, etc.) to discover any specific information
you want to learn about a particular product. Some of these products are:
Aluminum carbonate (Basojel).
(1)
Dihydroxyaluminum sodium carbonate (Rolaids).
(2)
(3)
Dihydroxyaluminum amino acetate.
Aluminum phosphate (Phosphajel).
(4)
(5)
Magnesium oxide.
(6)
Magnesium carbonate.
Section II. DIGESTANTS
2-4.
DEFINITION
Digestants are a group of drugs used to promote the process of digestion in the
gastrointestinal tract.
2-5.
INDICATION OF DIGESTANT THERAPY
A digestant is indicated when there is evidence of insufficient functioning of some
part of the digestive system responsible for producing a substance necessary for the
digestion of food. Viewed from this area, the digestants are substances used in
deficiency states. Digestants commonly employed are the choleretics (e.g., bile salts),
pancreatic enzymes, and hydrochloric acid.
2-6.
EXAMPLES OF DIGESTANTS
a. Glutamic Acid Hydrochloride. Glutamic acid hydrochloride is used in the
treatment of patients who are either secreting no stomach acid (achlorhydria) or are
secreting little stomach acid (hypochlorhydria). Once prepared, the acid solution is
sipped through a glass straw in order to minimize damage to the teeth.
b. Dehydrocholic Acid, NF. Dehydrocholic acid is used to increase the volume
of bile produced and secreted in the digestive system. It is used to relieve excessive
constipation as well as to remove fragments of gallstones from the body. The usual
dose of this drug is 3 to 5 milliliters of a 20 percent solution administered intravenously.
MD0807
2-6