Ida Kusuma PE-5

Acid & Base Application in Pharmaceutical

Acid and base are one of the most common chemical substances we found in our daily life. Many substances such as vinegar, ammonia and amino acids, are classified as either an acid or a base. One of the most important properties of acids and bases is their reaction with each other, which is neutralization.1 The reaction is as simple as the production of salt and water when acids reacted with bases. This property of acids and bases is also used in pharmaceuticals, namely in healing some diseases caused by the disruption of acid-base balance in human body. An acid is simply a substance which reacts with a base. Acids generally have a tart and sour taste. Common examples of acid are acetic acid in vinegar, citric acid in lemon, and ammonia in our pee. Aqueous acids have a pH under 7, with the acidity increasing the lower the pH. According to the Brnsted-Lowry definition, an acid is a substance that can act as a proton donor. The proton mentioned is usually in the form of H+ ion. An acid is also a substance that accepts a pair of electrons from another substance or also known as electron pair acceptor. There are lots of pharmaceutical ingredients in a medicine that is categorized as an acid. One of the most noted applications of acid is in the famous-headache-reliefmedicine called aspirin. The active metabolite in aspirin is known as acetylsalicylic acid. Acetylsalicylic acid is often used as an analgesic to relieve minor aches and as antipyretic to reduce fever. It works by reducing substances in the body that cause the pain, fever, and inflammation.2 Like any other medications, there will always be some adverse affect in the use of aspirin. The use of aspirin adequately will relieve the pain. However, if used excessively or inadequately, aspirin will not heal the pain, but adding the damage to human body. One of the damages is gastrointestinal bleeding. Aspirin use has been shown to increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.3 Even though aspirin is coated by some enteric coating, it did not seem to reduce the risk. Another method that is used to prevent the problem is buffering. Buffered aspirin works by preventing the

Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Ida Kusuma PE-5

concentration of aspirin in the stomach walls. The buffering agent used in aspirin is usually magnesium oxide (MgO).4 Bases are basically the opposite of acids. Bases have a somewhat bitter taste and have a soapy and slick feel. Common examples of base are in the soap, detergent, and also milk. Aqueous bases have a pH above 7, with basicity increasing the higher the pH. A base is, according to the Brnsted-Lowry definition, a substance that can accept hydrogen ions (protons). A base is also a substance that donates a pair of valence electrons. Base is also referred as alkali. The example of the application of base in pharmaceutical is in the use of antacid. Antacids are medications that increase the pH balance in the stomach.5 Antacids are capable in treating a number of symptoms, including heartburn and gastritis. Heartburn is burning chest pain or discomfort that occurs when stomach acid leaks out of the stomach and into the esophagus. The acid then irritates the surface of the esophagus. This event then causes the distinct burning sensation in the chest.6 Antacids work in two ways. They can either make a coat of protective barrier against stomach acid on the surface of esophagus or produce gel on the stomach surface, which will then help to stop the acid leaking up into the esophagus, thus preventing the symptoms of heartburn. Antacids work by neutralizing the acid in human stomach and relieving the pain caused by the acid. Normally, the acid pH in human stomach is about 2 or 3. Trouble may start when the pH drops below those numbers. Some of the excess acid in the stomach will be neutralized by antacid until the pH in the stomach rises back to normal.7 Reference: [1] Brady, James E., Senese, Frederick A., Jerpersen, Neil D. 2009. Chemistry. Fifth Edition. Asia: John Wiley & Sons Pte. Ltd. [2] http://www.drugs.com/aspirin.html, 5 September 2012; 3.52 pm [3] http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110912104830.htm, 5 September 2012;
3.52 pm [4] http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_buffering_agent_in_buffered_aspirin, 5 September 2012; 3.52 pm [5] http://gerd.emedtv.com/antacids/antacids.html, 6 September 2012; 3.52 pm

Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Ida Kusuma PE-5 [6], [7] http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/antacid-medicines/Pages/Definition.aspx, 6 September 2012; 3.52 pm

Pharmaceutical Chemistry