What kind of chemical substance is an antacid? What is one potential hazard of taking too many doses or too large a dose of an antacid?

Question

Natalie Anton · Accepted Answer

Have you never taken the popular, commercial antacid tablets?

These tablets, when you taste them, are quite chalky, and bitter. They are mostly #Ca(HCO_3)_2# and #CaCO_3# (plus some sugar of course to hide the taste of the chalk). The carbonate soaks up excess acid: #HCO_3^(-) + H^(+) rarr H_2O(l) + CO_2(g)uarr# Occasionally, you expel carbon dioxide by burping, a behavior that is obviously inappropriate in social situations. An antacid would be safe to take in moderation, say two to three tablets, but if you took too much, you would cause your stomach to produce a lot of carbon dioxide and possibly cause gastric reflux, in which case the stomach acid bubbles up and burns your oesophagus.

Axel Alvarado · Answer

undefined An antacid is a chemical substance that neutralizes stomach acidity. One potential hazard of taking too many doses or too large a dose of an antacid is that it can lead to alkalosis, which is an excessive alkalinity of the blood and body tissues. This can disrupt normal bodily functions and lead to symptoms such as confusion, muscle twitching, and nausea.