Can you answer this? Look at the label on a bottle of Mylanta and identify the bases responsible for the antacid acid?

Question

Heartburn, a burning sensation in the lower throat and above the stomach, is caused by the reflux or backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus (the tube that joins the stomach to the throat). In most individuals, this happens only occasionally, typically after a large meals. Physical activity-such as bending, stooping, or lifting-after meals also aggravates heartburn. In some people, the flap between the esophagus and the stomach that normally prevents acid reflux becomes damaged, in which case heartburn becomes a regular occurrence.

Drugstores carry many products that either reduce the secretion of stomach acid or neutralize the acid that is produced. Antacids such as Mylanta or Phillips' milk of magnesia contain bases that neutralize the refluxed stomach acid alleviating heartburn.

Can you answer this? Look at the label on a bottle of Mylanta and identify the bases responsible for the antacid acid? Write the chemical equations showing the reactions of these bases with stomach acid (HCl).

Answer 1

Did you look at the label on the bottle?  I don't have a bottle in front of me, but I believe it contains aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide.  These are both bases.  Here is how they react with stomach HCl.

Aluminum hydroxide = Al(OH)₃

Al(OH)₃ + 3HCl ==> 3H₂O + AlCl₃

Magnesium hydroxide = Mg(OH)₂

Mg(OH)₂ + 2HCl ==> 2H₂O + MgCl₂