title: Clinical effectiveness of a new antacid chewing gum on heartburn and oesophageal pH control.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oesophageal acid neutralization with antacids depends on the duration of oesophageal antacid exposure and acid neutralizing capacity. A gum that releases antacid as it is chewed could take advantage of both mechanisms to enhance heartburn relief.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four subjects were crossed over to four regimens: placebo, chewable antacid tablets (1000 mg CaCO3), lower dose gum (600 mg CaCO3) and higher dose gum (900 mg CaCO3). A dual pH probe was placed, subjects ate a standardized provocative meal and self-dosed once as needed. Symptoms were recorded every 15 min using visual analogue and Likert scales.
  
  
  RESULTS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  Both gums decreased heartburn compared to placebo for 120 min. Higher dose gum decreased heartburn more than chewable antacids up to 120 min post-dose. pH: Active chewable antacid and gums immediately increased oesophageal pH, with significant improvement 15-30 min post-dose.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  (i) both gums promptly decreased heartburn and elevated oesophageal pH; (ii) both gums provided sustained relief for 120 min; (iii) antacid gums provided faster and more prolonged symptom relief and pH control than chewable antacids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Calcium carbonate gum effectively neutralizes oesophageal acidity and relieves symptoms following a meal, and is superior to chewable antacids in terms of the duration of heartburn relief.
authors.affiliation: Oklahoma Foundation for Digestive Research, Oklahoma City 73104, USA.
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Collings
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Stanley
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Proskin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Miner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000863:Antacids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002638:Chewing Gum; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004947:Esophagus / Q000378:metabolism*; D005745:Gastric Acidity Determination; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D006356:Heartburn / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method
chemical_list: D000863:Antacids; D002638:Chewing Gum; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D002119:Calcium Carbonate