[Buffering capacity and cost of fluid antacids in 1977].

The 12 liquid antacids most frequently used in Switzerland underwent in vitro determination of their buffering capacity, which was then related to their price. There was a twentyfold difference in buffering capacity between the most potent and the weakest antacid, and a 36-fold difference in price between the most expensive and the cheapest preparation. Based on these results and on the literature the guiding principles and effectiveness of antacid therapy in medical practice are discussed.