Can you eat picot without water?

In this brief blog, we are going to answer the question, “Can you eat picot (an antacid) without water? We will also discuss  the conditions that antacids are used to treat. We will  further discuss when it’s best to take antacids and their  side effects. We will also briefly discuss the persons that should not take antacids.

Can you eat picot without water?

No, it is not advisable to take picot without water. Picot is a brand of an antacid which has an effervescent powder sodium bicarbonate and citric acid. It acts to provide relief against discomforts such as acid indigestion, heartburn, sour stomach,acidity and upset stomach associated with these symptoms.

If you don’t prefer powdered antacids, you can opt for liquid forms which work faster, or tablets which are relatively easy to use.

Apart from sodium bicarbonate other antacids may have the following as the active ingredients:

  • Aluminum hydroxide
  • Magnesium carbonate
  • Magnesium trisilicate
  • Magnesium hydroxide
  • Calcium carbonate
  • Sodium bicarbonate

It is advisable to take picot with water because it helps dissolve the powder. This is important because the antacid can follow the digestive tract all the way to the stomach and small intestine where most of the discomforts such as acid indigestion are, here it can do the neutralization. 

The antacid when taken with water will then be available in good volume to  counteract (neutralize) the acid in your stomach. Antacids are opposite of acids and therefore they act to counteract the effect of acids i.e. they neutralize the acids.

The reaction which is the  neutralization process helps reduce the corrosiveness of the stomach contents and relieves the discomforts and pains that come with having ulcers, the burning sensation from acid reflux.

Equally important, you should take antacids after having a meal because acids are produced when food is in the digestive system and the antacids will effectively neutralize.

What are antacids used to treat?

Antacids may be used:

  • To relieve the symptoms associated with acid reflux which may cause heartburn or inflammation of the gullet (oesophagitis). These symptoms are also referred to as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).
  • To reduce some of the symptoms associated with ulcers in the stomach and part of the gut.
  • To neutralize stomach acid from periods of indigestion (dyspepsia).

What are the types of antacids?

Mostly, antacids usually come in the following drug forms:

  • Liquid
  • Tablets or chewable gums
  • Tablets dissolvable in water.

When is it best to take antacids?

Antacids work best when taken with food or soon after having meals. This is because that is usually when there is a build up of acids and you can easily neutralize them preventing any indigestion or heartburn.

Studies have also shown that If they are taken with food, the effect of the antacids may  last longer. Medics also advised to not take other medicines within 4 hours of taking an antacid because they can have counter effects from other medications.

You can have alcohol when taking antacids in moderation, but take care because alcohol tends to irritate the stomach lining and can worsen your symptoms.

What are the side effects of antacids?

Antacids do not usually have many side effects if they’re only taken occasionally and at the recommended dose.

Antacids can however sometimes cause:

  • diarrhea or constipation
  • flatulence (wind)
  • stomach cramps
  • feeling sick or vomiting

Who should not take antacids?

You should seek consult a medical practitioner for advice first if:

  • You are pregnant or breastfeeding. Most antacids are generally considered safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding, but always seek advice from pharmacists or a GP first.
  • The  medicine is intended for a child under 12 years of age – some antacids are not recommended for children
  • You have been diagnosed with kidney disease liver disease or have heart failure.Antacids may not be safe for you if you have the above conditions, always consult your doctor.
  • Antacids have a high sodium content so if you are sick from an illness that requires you to control your sodium intake, please consult your doctor before taking them first.
  • You are taking other types of medications. Antacids can interfere with other medicines and may need be avoided or taken at a different time

Conclusion

In this brief blog, we have answered the question.”Can you eat picot without water?” We also have discussed  the conditions that antacids are used to treat. We have further discussed when it’s best to take antacids and their side effects. We have also briefly discussed the persons that should not take antacids.

Citations

https://patient.info/digestive-health/indigestion-medication/antacids

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!