16.11 Why are cimetidine and ranitidine better antacids than sodium hydrogencarbonate or magnesium or aluminium hydroxide?
Sodium bicarbonate or magnesium or aluminium hydroxide, these antacids work on by neutralising the excess hydrochloric acid present in the stomach. However, the main cause for the release of excess acid remains untreated. cimetidine and ranitidine better antacids as they treat the root cause of acidity. These drugs prevent the interaction of histamine with the receptor present in the stomach walls. This is why cimetidine and ranitidine are better antacids than sodium hydrogen carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, and aluminium hydroxide.