Invitro and in vivo defoaming action of three antacid preparations

The defoaming activity of three tablet antacids (hydrotalcite, hydrotalcite/dimethicone and aluminium hydroxide/dimethicone) powdered to 60 mesh was measured in vitro using a new static/dynamic technique. Their antacid actions and that of aluminium hydroxide gel B.P.C. were also measured using a modified Fuch's test. Combination of dimethicone with hydrotalcite conferred good defoaming activity with little effect on pH profile whilst combination of aluminium hydroxide with dimethicone markedly altered both. Additionally, the defoaming actions of the three commercial antacids were assessed in vivo. Radiographs were taken after administration of antacid, a foaming mixture and a normal barium meal. The radiographs were then ranked blind by 5 radiologists. The rankings assigned the significantly greatest (Mann-Whitney U-test) defoaming effect to the hydrotalcite/dimethicone combination, there being no difference between the other two preparations. The in vitro results were thus confirmed.