Antacids and anticholinergics. Thoughts on how and when to use them.

The antacids and anticholinergics should be considered potent pharmacologic agents with potentially serious side effects. When the conditions constituting major contraindications to these forms of therapy have been considered and their presence has been ruled out, the antacids and anticholinergics are useful in managing the symptoms and course of disease due to the effects of acid and pepsin. Antacid given an hour or so after meals and at bedtime and anticholinergic given at bedtime to selected patients are especially useful in management of peptic ulcer disease. More or less extensive schedules may be indicated, depending on the severity of disease and symptoms.