Antacid Pharmacology in Duodenal Ulcer

THE value of antacid drugs in the management of duodenal (and gastric) ulcer is controversial. Some consider antacids the keystone of medical therapy,1 others believe that they are of doubtful value,2 , 3 and some do not use them at all.4 Much of the skepticism concerning antacids, even among those who regard them as valuable, is related to their short duration of action (twenty to forty minutes), which in turn is related to the rapidity of gastric emptying. For instance, it has been estimated that a single 4-gm. dose of calcium carbonate is enough to neutralize all the gastric acid secreted by . . .