Raj. CHO -2025: Antacids are used in-

Raj. CHO -2025

Pharmacology

Easy

Appeared in: Raj. CHO -2025

Explanation

Antacids are basic compounds that neutralize gastric acid, providing relief from acid-related conditions.
Their primary use is for the symptomatic relief of pain associated with peptic ulcers, heartburn, and dyspepsia.
By raising the stomach's pH above 4, antacids inhibit the action of pepsin, a digestive enzyme that contributes to mucosal damage in peptic ulcer disease.
This neutralization of acid provides rapid but temporary pain relief.

Option A: Fever is a systemic response, typically to infection or inflammation, and is characterized by an elevated body temperature. Antacids have no mechanism to reduce fever.
Option B: Headache is a pain sensation in the head. Antacids work locally in the stomach and have no analgesic (pain-relieving) effect on headaches.
Option D: This option indicates that the question was not attempted. It is not a valid medical answer.

Visual 1: Diagram - Illustrating the mechanism of action of an antacid in the stomach, showing it neutralizing hydrochloric acid (HCl) and raising the gastric pH.
Visual 2: Flowchart - Comparing the roles of different drug classes in peptic ulcer management (Antacids for symptom relief vs. PPIs/H2 blockers for healing).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Therapeutic use of antacids as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must educate patients that antacids provide only temporary symptom relief and do not cure ulcers. They should be used for intermittent pain, not as a primary treatment.
It is crucial to advise patients to take antacids at appropriate times, typically 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime, to maximize their neutralizing effect.
Nurses should be aware of drug interactions. Antacids can decrease the absorption of many other drugs (e.g., tetracyclines, iron salts, fluoroquinolones). Administration should be staggered by at least 2 hours.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is the therapeutic use of a specific drug class: antacids.
Recall the primary mechanism of action for antacids. They are bases that neutralize stomach acid.
Consider each option in light of this mechanism. Does neutralizing stomach acid help with fever? No. Does it help with a headache? No.
Evaluate the 'Peptic ulcer' option. Peptic ulcers are sores in the lining of the stomach or duodenum, and the pain is caused by stomach acid irritating the sore. Therefore, neutralizing the acid would relieve the pain.
Eliminate the incorrect options based on this analysis. Fever and headache have different physiological causes that are unaffected by antacids.
Conclude that the most appropriate use for antacids among the choices is for peptic ulcers.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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KD Tripathi - Essentials of Medical Pharmacology (6th Edition) p. 43-254