Effect of pirenzepine and antacids on postprandial intragastric pH

Peptic ulcer treatment with high dose regimens of antacids may be inconvenient and unpleasant, and the risk of side effects should not be neglected. Anticholinergics are claimed to accentuate and prolong the effect of antacids on intragastric acidity. In the study the effect on postprandial intragastric pH of a moderate dose of antacids in combination with pirenzepine was compared with that of a double dose of antacids in six healthy subjects, to see whether the dose of antacids could be reduced when given in combination with an antimuscarinic compound. Doubling the dose of antacids caused higher pH peaks while adding pirenzepine caused a more sustained pH elevation. The curves showing the percentage of pH readings greater than or equal to each pH level were almost identical up to pH 4. The results support the rationale of using antacids and pirenzepine in combination.