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Newsletter 11-15-97
Contents of this Newsletter:
1. Prelief (Berkely Research)
2. Request for information on Ginger
3. Request for information on Aloe
Vera
4. Request for
information on Flagyl (Metronidazole)
5. Web site for
PharmInfoNet
6. Oral Drug Delivery
Technology for Prilosec
7. Asthma,
Laryngitis More Common in Heartburn Population
1.
Prelief (Berkely Research) Top^
"Heartburn Relief: The Acid Test" -- from University of California at
Berkely Wellness Letter – The Newsletter Of Nutrition, Fitness, And Stress Management
- Volume 14, Issue 1 – October 1997
Heartburn, or "acid indigestion," is a big business in America. Millions take
antacid tablets and medicated seltzers to neutralize stomach acid. Nearly as many take the
relatively new nonprescription versions of the so-called H2-blockers, such as Pepcid,
Tagamet, and Zantac, which actually suppress the production of stomach acid (see Wellness
Letter, March 1996). Now there’s Prelief, sold in drugstores and some health-food
stores, which is being marketed as a "dietary supplement" and "not a
drug," so it doesn’t need approval from the FDA. Prelief is supposed to work by
neutralizing "acidy foods and beverages," such as citrus juice, coffee, wine,
tomato sauce, and colas. It "works on the food, not on you," say the ads. That
doesn’t make much sense, because if you have heartburn, you are the main problem, not
the food. So we decided to take a closer look at Prelief.
You’re directed to take Prelief tablets with, or sprinkle the Prelief powder on,
acidic foods. The product is calcium glycerophosphate. The manufacturer says it discovered
the deacidifying ability of this compound by chance (usually phosphates have the opposite
effect, acidifying substances). The manufacturer also says that studies on the product are
underway, but nothing has been published.
Our test
To see if Prelief does what it claims, we tested it at the School of Public Health, using
eight common beverages and a standard pH monitor to measure the changes in acidity. We
added the powder, as directed, to tomato, lemon, orange, and apple juice, as well as milk,
coffee, tap water, and bottled water. It had virtually no effect on the juices (the most
acidic drinks), even after a second packet was added. The only significant effect was on
coffee, which rose from a pH of 5.2 to 6.3 (7 is neutral). That represents a tenfold
decrease in acidity, which may sound like a lot, but is insignificant physiologically.
But wait a minute
Even if Prelief did what it claims to do – that is, make foods much less acidic
– heartburn actually has little or nothing to do with acidic foods. It is caused by
gastroesophogeal reflux, the backup of the stomach’s content into the lower
esophagus, where the gastric acids produce a burning sensation. These stomach acids, which
aid in digestion, are far more acidic than any food.
"The acidity of foods contributes minimally to gastric reflux – unless you drink
pure hydrochloric acid (the acid produced by the stomach)," according to Dr. Eamonn
Quigley, chief of gastroenterology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Why then
are heartburn sufferers often advised to avoid certain foods, such as alcohol, coffee, and
fatty foods? Some of these relax or weaken the muscle (or sphincter) above the stomach,
allowing stomach juices to flow upward and burn the esophagus. Fatty foods, in particular,
may slow the emptying of the stomach, which can also lead to irritation. In addition, some
foods, not necessarily acidic themselves, may cause excess secretion of stomach acids.
Some people may indeed find that acidic foods such as citrus fruit and tomato products
make heartburn worse. That’s because these may irritate esophageal walls damaged by
repeated backup of stomach acid. In that case, Prelief would possibly help a little if it
had a significant de-acidifying effect, but it doesn’t.
To avoid heartburn
Don’t eat large meals, avoid fatty foods, and don’t eat right before lying down.
Don’t sleep flat; place wooden blocks under the head of your bed to elevate it by at
least six inches. Avoid tight-fitting clothes and constipation, both of which can increase
abdominal pressure. If you’re taking medication, ask you doctor or pharmacist if it
may be causing the heartburn. Cut down on alcohol and caffeine, and don’t smoke.
Words to the wise: If you find that you frequently reach for anti-heartburn remedies or
preventitives, see your doctor. Overuse of these drugs may mask a problem
2. Request for information on Ginger Top^
From: fg0k+@andrew.cmu.edu (Fusun F Gonul)
To: hawktear@AOL.Com (HawkTear)
Is there a recipe for using the juice of ginger root? Like how
much how often? Is too much harmful?
Fusun
Please send replies to: fg0k+@andrew.cmu.edu That is fg with a zero not the letter
O
Please also copy HawkTear@aol.com as I am compiling informatin on Ginger for the
newsletter.
Incidently Funsun was responding to an item I placed on the alt.support.heartburn
newsgroup
Here are a few web sites for Ginger that I found
Doctor on Call
-- Ginger for Motion Sickness <~~Click here
http://www.healthyideas.com/healing/oncall/more/motion_sick.html
3.
Request for information on Aloe Vera
Top^
Please send any information to HawkTear@aol.com.
I have one web site at the moment.
Aloe Vera - What to Believe <~~AOL'ers
Click here
http://www.aloe-vera.org/
4. Request for information on
Flagyl (Metronidazole) Top^
From: KM2JL
Hope everyone is doing well. I've been trying to keep up with the chat logs. I miss being
able to join the group, but I've been in class on Weds. nights. Would you be able to ask
everyone if they are familiar with the above med? My GI Dr wants me to take it since the
gerd is getting better but is still acting up on occasion. It is also known as flagyl.
It's an antibiotic. Dr. thinks I may have bacteria in the stomach which could be causing
some of my problem. I don't have H-pylori. Said I could take it while taking prilosec and
propulsid, but am afraid to since my bad experience with Biaxin. If anyone has any info on
metronidazole, I'd appreciate it. They can e-mail me directly. Hope all is well, and I'll
join the chat again once classes are over and I have my knee surgery. Thanks. KM2JL
KM2JL@aol.com
5. Web site for PharmInfoNet
Contributed by MairCH Top^
Thought this information from
PharmInfoNet might be worthwhile for the GERD groups:
GERD Information Center
(http://pharminfo.com/disease/gerd/gerd_info.html)
In conjunction with the 62nd annual meeting of the American
College of Gastroenterology, we have added new gastrointestinal
resources and a GERD Information Center to PharmInfoNet. Many
readers have asked the experts for help with their questions
about GERD (see, for example, GI Questions and Answers) and we
hope the GERD Information Center will provide some answers.
Glossary
(http://pharminfo.com/pia_glos.html)
If you haven't seen or used our Glossary yet, we recommend that
you bookmark it now and refer to it especially when reading
articles related to gastrointestinal diseases, including GERD.
Courtesy of the National Digestive Diseases Information
Clearinghouse, we have added dozens of new terms specifically
related to digestive diseases. The glossary includes many
illustrations as well as definitions.
6. Oral Drug Delivery Technology for
Prilosec Top^
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Nov. 14
/PRNewswire/ -- Andrx Corporation
(Nasdaq: ADRX) today announced that it has filed an application with the U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) for its new drug delivery technology,
Stabilized Pellet Delivery System (SPDS). The Company developed this
technology for use with its improved once-a-day formulation of omeprazole
(Prilosec(R)), which Andrx intends to submit as a New Drug Application (NDA)
to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Omeprazole, which is marketed
by the Astra/Merck Group of Merck and Co., is used in the treatment of
duodenal ulcers and gastroesophogeal reflux disease (GERD), and has worldwide
sales of approximately $4 billion.
Andrx currently has twelve issued patents and an additional six patent
applications pending at the PTO for its seven distinct oral drug delivery
technologies. The Company employs these technologies in developing
formulations for the five products currently being developed in its in-house
NDA program and the 18 products currently being developed as bioequivalent
versions in its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) program. Andrx filed
its first Investigational New Drug Application (IND) in June for a
cardiovascular product and intends to initiate a multiple dose Phase II safety
and efficacy study in January 1998 for that product. Bioavailability studies
are expected to begin for two other NDA products prior to the end of this
year.
Dr. Elliot F. Hahn, President of Andrx, commented, "We are very proud of
our SPDS technology and excited about its potential. When faced with
developmental challenges, our scientists have once again created an innovative
technology to provide the needed solution. Our scientific staff, which to
date has developed seven patented technologies, distinguishes Andrx from other
drug delivery companies."
Andrx is engaged in the formulation and commercialization of oral
controlled-release pharmaceuticals utilizing its proprietary drug delivery
technologies. In its ANDA program, the Company is developing generic versions
of selected high sales volume controlled-release brand name pharmaceuticals.
In its NDA program, the Company is developing its own brand name formulations
of certain existing drugs that it believes may be improved by the application
of the Company's drug delivery technologies. The Company also markets and
distributes pharmaceutical products manufactured by third parties.
Forward-looking statements (statements which are not historical facts) in
this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that all
forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including those
risks and uncertainties detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
7. Asthma, Laryngitis
More Common in Heartburn Population
Top^
Contributed by Gregory FL (BHGregory)
Louis Harris and Associates Study Finds Asthma, Laryngitis More Common
In Persistent and Frequent Heartburn Population
CHICAGO, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Although one in five adults have tried
over-the-counter acid suppressing drugs since they were first introduced
two years ago, a new study suggests that more people than ever before may be
suffering from persistent and frequent heartburn. The study also found that
many of these heartburn sufferers use over-the-counter (OTC) medications on a
regular basis, even though they may not be getting adequate symptom
resolution.
The number of adults who suffer frequently from heartburn has climbed from
19 million to 21 million in the past two years, according to a Louis Harris
and Associates study conducted for Astra Merck. While they may reach into
their medicine cabinet for relief, the majority of these heartburn sufferers
claim that the more recently available OTC acid suppressing medications have
not provided adequate relief of their symptoms. The results of the study were
released today at the American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG) Annual
Scientific Meeting in Chicago.
"Heartburn should not be casually dismissed as a minor nuisance," said
Joel E. Richter, M.D., Chairman, Department of Gastroenterology, The Cleveland
Clinic and past-president, ACG. "While people who have occasional episodes of
heartburn can find relief with over-the-counter medications, those who suffer
from heartburn on two days a week or more need to see a physician because they
may have a more serious problem, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD), that requires more specialized medical treatment," explained Dr.
Richter. "Ignoring the problem can lead to serious problems including
esophageal erosions, asthma, laryngitis and even Barrett's esophagus, a
precursor to cancer."
Defining GERD's Relationship to Asthma, Laryngitis
Nearly twice as many adults with persistent and frequent heartburn report
having asthma symptoms compared to the general adult population, according to
the study. Similarly, the number of adults claiming to have experienced
laryngitis rises from one-fourth of all adults to one-third of people with
chronic heartburn. "If regurgitated acid ends up in the lungs, as can happen
with people who have GERD, an individual may develop asthma-like symptoms,"
according to Dr. Richter.
Heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD. People who have GERD have
repeated episodes of stomach acid backing up into the esophagus, or food tube,
causing the burning sensation behind the breastbone known as heartburn.
Regurgitated acid often results in a sour taste in the back of the mouth,
difficulty swallowing, coughing, choking, hoarseness and chest pain. Since
episodic heartburn is a common problem, the more serious, chronic problems are
often misunderstood and underestimated by patients. Heartburn is a symptom of
what many people consider to be a harmless, self-inflicted ailment caused by
diet or lifestyle.
Consumer Misunderstandings About Using Over-the-Counter Medications
for Heartburn
Consumers' lack of concern was supported by the study which found that
more than 70 percent of Americans believe all heartburn cases can be
self-treated with OTC heartburn remedies. One-third believe that OTC
medications can be taken as often as necessary. Nearly two-thirds believe
that physicians prescribe the same medications that are already available to
consumers on pharmacy shelves.
Identifying and Treating More Serious Problems
For people who suffer from serious, chronic problems, seeing the physician
and receiving appropriate treatment for symptoms is very important. While
two-thirds of people who only experience heartburn occasionally say their acid
suppressing medication is very effective, only slightly more than a third of
frequent sufferers reported the same degree of relief.
In the 1997 GERD in America Survey conducted by Louis Harris and
Associates, persistent and frequent sufferers, those experiencing heartburn on
at least two days a week, and those who take medication for their episodes of
heartburn, account for the estimated GERD population. The survey was
conducted among 2,508 adults 18 and older in July and August 1997, and has a
sampling error of +/- three percentage points.
Astra Merck is a free-standing joint venture, owned equally by Merck &
Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK) and Astra AB of Sweden (NYSE: A), and is based in
Wayne, PA. Astra Merck markets the antisecretory medication, Prilosec(R)
(omeprazole) and the cardiovascular drugs Plendil(R) (felodipine), Lexxel(R)
(enalapril maleate-felodipine ER), and Tonocard(R) (tocainide HCI). Its
Internet website is http://www.astramerck.com .
Prilosec(R) prescribing information is available by calling Jim Coyne,
Astra Merck, 610-695-1656.
CO: Astra Merck; Louis Harris and Associates; American College of
Gastroenterology
Top^
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