Introduction to Acidifiers
Acidifiers are drugs or chemical agents that increase the acidity of body fluids or gastric contents. They are used in the treatment of conditions where acidity levels are abnormally low, such as achlorhydria (absence of gastric acid) or hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid). Some acidifiers are used to treat systemic alkalosis or to acidify urine in urinary tract disorders.
Types of Acidifiers
(a) Gastric Acidifiers
These agents restore or increase the acidity of the stomach in patients suffering from achlorhydria or hypochlorhydria. In certain conditions like chronic alcoholism, tuberculosis, hyperthyroidism, or in elderly individuals, gastric acid production decreases significantly. In such cases, agents like dilute hydrochloric acid or histamine phosphate are used to stimulate or replace the gastric acid.
Patients with carcinoma of the stomach, chronic gastritis, or gastrectomy may have total achlorhydria. For them, dilute hydrochloric acid serves as a suitable replacement to maintain digestive function.
(b) Urinary Acidifiers
These are agents that acidify urine to aid in the treatment of urinary tract infections or prevent the formation of certain types of urinary calculi. Acidic urine inhibits bacterial growth and helps dissolve phosphate stones.
(c) Systemic Acidifiers
These acidifiers neutralize alkaline body fluids, particularly blood, in patients with systemic alkalosis. They help restore normal acid-base balance and are administered either orally or intravenously.
(d) Acids as Pharmaceutical Aids
Certain acids are also used in pharmaceutical preparations and laboratory quality control as acidifying agents, stabilizers, or pH regulators.
Dilute Hydrochloric Acid
- Formula: HCl (10% w/w)
- Limits: 9.5% – 10.5% w/w of HCl
- Specific Gravity: 1.04 – 1.05
Ingredients
- Hydrochloric acid – 274.0 g
- Purified water – 726.0 g
Preparation
Hydrochloric acid (274 g) is slowly added to purified water (726 g) with continuous stirring to form a uniform solution. The acid must always be added to water to avoid splashing or exothermic hazards.
Properties
- Colorless liquid.
- Strongly acidic in nature.
- Has specific gravity of 1.04 – 1.05.
Identification Tests
- Test for Chlorine: When added to potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) with dilute nitric acid, chlorine gas is evolved.
- Test for Chloride Ion: Add silver nitrate (AgNO₃) to the acidified solution — a curdy white precipitate of silver chloride is formed, insoluble in nitric acid but soluble in ammonium hydroxide. It reprecipitates upon re-addition of HNO₃.
Assay
Weigh accurately 6 g of the sample, add 30 ml of distilled water, and titrate with 1 N sodium hydroxide (NaOH) using methyl red as indicator.
Each ml of 1 N NaOH ≡ 0.03646 g of HCl.
Uses
- Used as a gastric acidifier in achlorhydria or hypochlorhydria.
- Administered along with iron therapy in hypochromic anemia to enhance iron absorption.
- Serves as an acidifying agent in pharmaceutical formulations.
Administration
Dilute Hydrochloric Acid should be diluted with 25–50 volumes of water or juice before administration and sipped through a glass tube to prevent damage to dental enamel.
Storage
- Store in well-closed containers to prevent acid fumes from escaping.
- Keep away from heat and direct sunlight.
Dosage
Usual dose: 0.6 to 8 ml (well diluted).
Note
Glutamic acid hydrochloride capsules (1.7 mEq) may be used as a substitute for dilute hydrochloric acid in patients where oral acid solutions are unsuitable.
Detailed Notes:
For PDF style full-color notes, open the complete study material below: