Magaldrate is a pharmaceutical drug belonging to the group of active substances called antacids. It is also known as penta-aluminum-decamagnesium-hentriacontahydroxide and aluminum-magnesium-hydroxide-sulfate hydrate. Applied this drug in excess gastric acid secretion and therapy of its consequence.
What is magaldrate?
Magaldrate is used for excess gastric acid secretion and for the treatment of its consequences. Magaldrate is an acid-neutralizing drug from the group of active substances known as antacids. This pharmacological substance has a layered lattice structure and is therefore also known as layered lattice antacids. Magaldrate is composed of the components of aluminum and magnesium salts and therefore acts on acid-related complaints in the gastrointestinal tract. The drug neutralizes and binds excess gastric acid produced, thus protecting the gastric mucosa from irreversible damage. Magaldrate is thus used for the treatment of acid-related stomach complaints such as heartburn or gastrointestinal ulcers. It is a drug available in pharmacies, which can be purchased in the form of tablets or gel. The drug is not taken for prophylactic treatment, but as an on-demand medication for acute complaints. The dosage should be discussed with the attending specialist.
Pharmacologic effect
The different cells of the body in the area of the gastric mucosa produce 1-3 liters of gastric juice daily. The cells to which this activity is assigned are called accessory cells, accessory cells, and principal cells. The gastric acid produced is a colorless, slightly cloudy, watery secretion with a pH of about 0.9 – 1.5. This low pH makes it clear that gastric acid is a very acidic and also aggressive liquid. In order to induce the body’s cells to produce gastric acid, chemical and mechanical stimulation is required through the production of hormones in the digestive tract and stimulation by the vagus nerve. The hormones needed for this process are histamine, gastrin and secretin. A blood isotonic hydrochloric acid is formed by the vaginal cell, which is composed of hydrogen ions and chlorine ions. The pharmacological drug magaldrate is a complex and coordination compound with a crystalline layered lattice structure. Therefore, it is also categorized into the drug class of layered lattice antacids. This chemical structure comes from the superposition of magnesium and aluminum. Their chemical structure is tightly connected in lattice layers. The neutralizing effect on gastric acid is triggered by the binding of protons of sulfate anions and hydroxide ions in the area of the interstitial layers. When this bond meets the gastric acid, the lattice structure dissolves and neutralization occurs. Only when the gastric acid has reached a pH of at least 5 is the chemical process stopped. This mixture of substances creates a so-called acid buffer. This acid buffer allows the gastric acid to maintain a constant pH of 3-5. The gastric acid is not reabsorbed out of the digestive tract. Only small amounts of magnesium and aluminum ions are reabsorbed and released during neutralization, depending on the pH. Cations that cannot be reabsorbed are metabolized to poorly soluble phosphates as they pass through the intestinal tract and are excreted in the stool. The absorbable ions are bound to plasma proteins. If renal function is impaired or if Magaldrate is overdosed, the plasma protein binding capacity may be exceeded. This may result in protein deposits in the bones, central nervous system, or organs. However, the level of magnesium and aluminum in the blood is not affected. Occasionally, only minimal increases in aluminum can be detected in the blood serum. A prerequisite for this, however, is that the drug be taken correctly and in a manner well suited to the clinical picture. The substances of Magaldrate are excreted through the digestive system. Only a small proportion of the absorbable aluminum ions is excreted by the kidneys.
Medical use and application
The drug Magaldrate is used for therapy and symptomatic treatment of excess formation of gastric acid.The excess stomach acid can cause acute problems such as dyseptic complaints in the upper abdomen, reflux disease or heartburn (reflux esophagitis), gastritis, a feeling of fullness and general acid-related stomach complaints. Magaldrate can also make a positive contribution to the healing process in the case of gastric ulcers (ulcus ventriculi) or duodenal ulcers (ulcus duodeni). The effect comes from the buffering reaction and from the dose– and pH-dependent binding of cytotoxic bile acid and lysolecithin. Unbound, these substances are blamed for the development of gastric ulcers and gastritis and can cause irreversible damage. The general function of the muscles of the gastrointestinal and digestive tracts is not affected or influenced by the drug.
Risks and side effects
A common side effect observed is an altered consistency of the stool. Although this is often very soft due to the magaldrate, diarrhea (diarrhea) rarely occurs. If the drug is taken in high doses over a long period of time, intoxication may occur due to increased levels of aluminum and magnesium in the blood serum. Deposition of aluminum in bone and in the central nervous system, with effects on the brain, may also occur. In very rare cases, painful bone softening (osteomalacia) may occur due to decreased plasma phosphate levels. The drug Magaldrate should not be taken with other drugs, if possible, because it affects the absorption, distribution and excretion of pharmacological substances. Therefore, while taking several drugs, there should always be about 2 hours between the intake. Furthermore, Magaldrate should not be taken with acidic beverages, such as fruit juice or wine.
