List of Gastrointestinal Agents

Gastrointestinal Agents

The gastrointestinal tract or digestive tract also referred as the GI tract or the alimentary canal. Gastrointestinal System is responsible for the breakdown and absorption of various foods and liquids needs to sustain life.

GI tract starts with the mouth and proceeds to the esophagus, stomach, small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum), and then to the large intestine (colon), rectum, and terminates at the anus. This section covers the discussion about certain important topics :

1. Acidifying Agents or Acidifiers
2. Antacids
3. Protective and Adsorbents
4. Saline Cathartics

Acidifying Agents Or Acidifiers

Acidifying agents are the inorganic chemical substances that either produce or increase acid. These chemicals increase the level of gastric acid in the stomach when ingested, thereby decreasing the stomach pH. It is broadly classified into four categories:-

Read and Learn More Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry Notes

1. Gastric Acidifiers: These are the drugs which are used to increase the acidity of the stomach in patients suffering from Achlorhydria or Hypochlorhydria (absence or insufficient quantity of HC1 acid in the gastric secretion). It responds to stimulation by histamine. The Achlorhydria patients are of two types
   1. Those who do not respond to histamine phosphate stimulation for the release of HC1.
   2. Those who respond to histamine phosphate stimulation for the release of HC1 in the stomach. In either of the cases, the G.I. disturbances i.e. frequent bowel movement, mild diarrhoea, epigastric pain and sensitivity to spicy foods are the common symptoms. It is used to control the pH of the acidic stomach (pH 1.5-3.5). This condition is best treated by the administration of HC1 acid.
2. Urinary Acidifiers: These are the drugs which are used to remove acidic urine from the body or to maintain the pH of the urine. These acidifiers are widely used to cure some types of urinary tract infections.
   For example: Many bacterias are grown badly in acidic urine as far as urine is cemed. Hexamine only acts as antiseptic when the urine is acidic. In acidic media, hexamine itself break up into ammonia and formaldehyde.
3. Systemic acidifiers: These are the drugs which are able to neutralise the alkaline body fluids, especially blood or to maintain the pH of all parts of the body. It is used to treat patients suffering from systemic alkalosis.
4. Acid: These are used as pharmaceutical aids in the preparation of medicaments, laboratory quality control.

Hydrochloric Acid

Molecular formula ;HCl                    Molecular Weight:36.46

Synonym: Spirit of Salt, Muriatic acid

Preparation

It can be prepared by the action of cone. Sulphuric acid on Sodium Chloride and passing the liberated Hydrogen Chloride through water.

In this method, the hydrogen and chlorine obtained in the electrolysis of sodium chloride in the manufacture of caustic soda are burnt, preferably using quartz bunsen burners.

100% pure HC1 is formed in this method

Properties

1. It is nearly colourless clear and fuming liquid.
2. It possesses pungent odour.
3. It is soluble with water and alcohol.
4. It is a strong acid and attacks metals, forming the hydrochlorides with the evolution of gas.

Chemical Properties

1. It reacts with Sodium metal which results in the formation of sodium chloride and liberates hydrogen gas.

2. It is oxidised by strong’ oxidising agents liberating chlorine gas.

Assay

An accurately weighed sample of the add is diluted with water and titrated with 1M NaOH using methyl red solution as the indicator. End point is the appearance of a faint yellow colour.

Storage

It is stored in well dosed container of glass or other inert material at a temperature not exceeding 30°C.

Uses

1. It is used as a Pharmaceutical Aid.
2. It is also employed as an atidifying agent or addifier.

It is also used to inactivate the proteolytic enzyme, pepsin. Certain antadds like Sodium Bicarbonate which are water soluble may raise it pH above 7. The continual hyperacidity may lead to peptic or duodenal ulcer.

Test for Purity

It has to be tested for As, heavy metals, bromides, iodide, sulphate & free iodine.

Ammonium Chloride

Molecular formula: NH₄Cl                      Molecular Weight: 53.9

Ammonium chloride contains not less than 99.5% of NH4C1, calculated with referene to substance dried over silica gel for 4 hours.

Preparation

1. It is prepared by purifying the crude product by sublimation or by boiling ammonium sulphate solution with sodium chloride in the equivalent proportions.
2. Neutralization of HC1 acid with ammonia and evaporation of solution to dryness yield ammonium chloride.

Properties

1. It is white, fine or coarse crystalline powder.
2. It is having a cooling saline taste.
3. It is odourless.
4. It is sligthly hygroscopic.
5. It is soluble in 2.6 parts of H20, 1.4 parts of boiling water & 100 parts of alcohol.

Test for Purity

Test for arsenic, heavy metals, lead, iron, barium sulphate, thiocyanate, loss on drying and non-volatile matter.

Assay

Weigh accurately about 0.2g, dissolve in 40ml of H₂O, add 3 ml of Nitric acid, 5 ml of Nitrobenzene & 50 ml of 0.1N Silver nitrate, shake vigorously for 1 minute & titrate with 0.1N
ammonium thiocyanate using 2ml of solution of ferric ammonium sulphate as indicator.

Each ml of 0.1N silver nitrate is equivalent to 0.005349g of NH₄Cl.

Uses:

1. It is used as an expectorant.
2. It is used as a diuretic & systemic acidifying agent.
3. It is used to maintain the urine at acid pH in the treatment of some UIT disorders.

Review Questions

Very Short Answer Questions

Question. 1. Define Acidifying agents?
Answer. Acidifying agents are the inorganic chemical substances that either produce or increase acid in the g.i.t. tract.

Question 2. Write down the classification of Acidifying agents?
Answer. Acidifying agents can be broadly classified as :-

1. Gastric acidifier
2. Urinary acidifier
3. Systemic acidifier
4. Acids

Question 3. What is the difference between Urinary Acidifier and Systemic Acidifier?
Answer. Urinary Acidifiers are the drugs which are used to remove acidic urine from the body or to maintain the pH of the urine while Systemic Acidifiers are the drugs which are able to neutralise the alkaline body fluids especially blood.

Question 4. What do you understand by Systemic Acidifiers?
Answer. Systemic Acidifiers are the drugs which are able to neutralise the alkaline body fluids especially blood.

Question 5. By which other names Hydrochloric acid is also known?
Answer. Spirit of salt, Muriatic acid

Question 6. How would you prepare Hydrochloric acid?
Answer. Hydrochloric acid can be prepared by the action of cone. Sulphuric Acid on Sodium Chloride and passing the librated Hydrogen Chloride through water.

NaCl + H₂SO₄—————–>NaHSO₄+ HCl

Question.7. What is Achlorhydria?
Answer. Achlorhydria is the absence or insufficient quantity of HC1 acid in the gastric secretion.

Question.8. What are the pharmaceutical uses of Hydrochloric Add?
Answer. Hydrochloric Acid is used as a pharmaceutical aid, as acidifying agent or acidifier.

Fill In The Blanks

1. Acidifying agents are the inorganic chemical compounds that either………… in the g.i.t. tract.

Answer: Produce or increase acid

2. Gastric acidifier are the drugs which are used to……………..the acidity of the stomach.

Answer: Increase

3……………….are the drugs which are used to remove acidic urine from the body or to maintain the pH of the urine.

Answer: Urinary acidifer

4……………….are the drugs which are able to neutralise the alkaline body fluids.

Answer: Systemic acidifier

5. Hydrochloric acid is also known as………………

Answer: Spirit of salt, Muriatic acid

6. Hydrochloric acid can be prepared by the action of…………………on…………………….

Answer: Cone, sulphuric acid, Sodium chloride

Antacids

Antacids are the substances which are used to neutralise the gastric acidity. Antacids occur due to excessive secretion of HC1 in stomach due to various reasons. They produce sympathomimetic relief from pain, heart burns or by neutralizing the excess of hydrochloric acid.

Peptic ulcers occur due to defective oesophageal sphincter as hiatal hernia. Gastric ulcers occur in lesser curvature and are found in first portion of duodenum.

The neutralizing capacity of an antacid is expressed in milliequivalents (mEq) of hydrochloric acid. Every antacid may have a total neutralizing capacity of atleast 5 mEq of HCl per
dosage unit.

Antacids raise the pH of the gastric contents to above 3.5.

Antacids may be classified as

1. Systemic (absorable) antacids: These are soluble, readily absorable and capable of producing systemic electrolytic alterations and alkalosis. Example: Sodium Bicarboante.
2. Non-systemic (Non-absorable) antacids: These are not absorbed to a significant extent and thus do not exert an appreciable systemic effects e.g. Aluminium salts, Magnesium
   salts and Calcium Carbonate.

Ideal Characteristics of Antacids :

1. The antacid should not be absorbable or cause systemic alkalosis.
2. The antacid should not be a laxative or cause constipation.
3. The antacid should exert its effect rapidly and over a long period of time.
4. The antacid should probably inhibit pepsin.
5. The antacid should have buffer in the pH range of 4-6.
6. The reaction of the antacid with gastric hydrochloric acid should not cause a large evolution of the acid.

Sodium Bicarbonate

Molecular formula: NaHCO₃                Molecular Weight: 84.01

Synonyms

Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate, Baking Soda, Mitha Soda.

It is highly water-soluble antacid with a very rapid onset of action but relatively short duration.

Preparations

On small scale, it is prepared by passing C02 gas through a solution of sodium hydroxide.

Solvay Process (Ammonia Soda Process)

Strong solution of Sodium Chloride containing a high concentration of ammonia is passed thorugh a carbonating tower where it is saturated with CO₂ gas under pressure.

Ammonia and Carbon Dioxide react to form Ammonium Bicarbonate which further undergo decomposition to form Sodium Bicarbonate.

It is specific in the treatment of systemic acidosis.

Official test for identity.

1. Gives the reaction characteristic of sodium and of bicarbonate.
2. To a solution of the substance in C0₂ free water, phenophthalein solution is added. A pale link is produced.

Physical Properties

1. It occurs as white crystalline or amorphous powder.
2. It is having a saline taste.
3. Its solution is alkaline in nature.
4. Its freely soluble with water but practically insoluble in alcohol.

Assay

Weigh accurately about 0.6gm of sodium carbonate, previously dried, dissolved in 50 ml of water and titrate with 0.5 ml/HCl acid (Indicator : 3 drops of bromophenol blue TS).

Test for Purity

Test for alkalinity, aluminium, calcium, insoluble matter, arsenic, iron, lead, chloride, sulphate, ammonium compounds.

Uses

It is mainly used as an Electrolyte Replenisher. It is mainly used for its Acid Neutralizing properties. It is also find used as an antacid. It is used as local applicant for bums, insect bites etc.

Aluminium Hydroxide Gel

Chemical formula : Al(OH)₃ Molecular Weight: 77.99

Synonym

Aluminium Hydroxide Powder, Aluminium Hydrated Powder
It can be recognized into two ways

• Aluminium Hydroxide Gel
• Dried Aluminium Hydroxide Gel

Aluminium Hydroxide Gel :

It is a white viscous suspension of Hydrated Aluminium Oxide with varying amounts of basic Aluminium Carbonate. It gets separated into the clear liquid on standing for sometime.
It exhibits suitable flavouring and antimicrobial agent. It has a pH between 5.5 and 8.0.

Preparation

When an Aluminium Salt such as Aluminium Chloride is treated with Ammonia or Sodium Carbonate, a white gelatinous precipitate of aluminium hydroxide is obtained.

After complete removal of CO₂, the precipitate Aluminium Hydroxide is filtered, washed throughly with hot water untill it become free from sulphates ions. The precipitate may be
suspended in the purified water to strengthen aluminium hydroxide gel.

Dried Aluminium Hydroxide Gel

Synonyms

Aluminium Hydroxide powder.

Properties

It is not a typical gel but is a white, odorless, tasteless, amorphous powder. It is insoluble in water and alcohol but soluble in dilute mineral acids & solution of fixed Alkali Hydroxides.

It forms gel on prolonged contact with water. It absorbs certain acids and CO₂ It has a pH between 5.5-8.0

One major drawback of gel is that of a loss of antacid properties on aging.

Test for purity

Tests for arsenic, ammonium salts, chloride, lead, sulphate, alkalinity neutralising capacity, viscosity. The presence of ammonium salt is determined by heating the substance with Sodium Hydroxide to yield Ammonia which is collected in standard acid and back titrated by the usual procedure.

The limit of Ammonia in Aluminium Hydroxide is determined to be 0.034%. An aqueous solution after addition of HQ acid complies with the limit test for Chlorides. Neutralising capacity is found by measuring pH suspension of the substance in a radium which is approximate N/20 in resp. of HQ acid.

Storage

It should not be stored at a temperature not exceeding 25°C and should be stored in air tight containers.

Calcium Carbonate

Chemical Formula: CaC0₃           Molecular Weight: 100.09

Synonyms

Precipitated Chalk, Precipitated Calcium Carbonate. It is found in nature as the lime stone, marble calcite, vaterite, aragonite and shell of sea animals.

Method of Preparation

It can be prepared by mixing the boiling solutions of Calcium Chloride and Sodium Carbonate and allowing the resulting precipitate to subside on cooling.

Properties

It occurs as a white, odorless, tasteless, microcrystalline powder. It is practically insoluble in air but solubility is increased by the presence of Carbon Dioxide and also by Ammonium
salts (except Ammonium Carbonate).

It is stable in air. It exists in two crystal form and both are of commerical importance, one Aragonite and other is Calcite.

Uses

It is used as fast-acting antacid, in calcium deficiency, dentrifices and in combination with magnesium containing antacids due to its constipative properties.

Magnesium Hydroxide

Synonyms: Milk of magnesia

Molecular formula: Mg(OH)₂  Molecular weight: 58.31

Molecular weight: 58.31

Preparation

It is prepared by Combining a solution of many magnesium salts with basic water induces precipitation of solid Mg(OH)₂:

On a commercial scale, Mg(OH)₂ is prepared by treating seawater with lime Ca(OH)₂.

Properties

It occurs as white, odourless powder. It is soluble in dilute acids and practically insoluble in ethanol and water.

Uses

It is used as a laxative to relieve constipation.
It is also used to treat gastrointestinal ailments such as heartburn, general upset stomach, or feelings of indigestion.

 

Review Questions

Very Short Answer Questions

Question. 1. Define Antacids?
Answer. Antacids are the drugs which are used to neutralize the gastric contents.

Question.2. How do antacids occur?
Answer. Antacids occur due to excessive secretion of hydrochloric acid in stomach.

Question.3. Classify Antacids?
Answer. Antacids can be classified into two categories :

1. Systemic antacids
2. Non-systemic antacids

Question.4. What is Systemic Antacid?
Answer. Systemic Antacid is readily absorable and capable of producing systemic electrolytic alterations and alkalosis. For example: Sodium bicarbonate

Question.5. What is Non-Systemic Antacid?
Answer. Non-systemic Acid is absorbed to a significant extent and thus do not exert an appreciable systemic effects.
For example : Aluminium salts such as Aluminium hydroxide gel, Calcium Carbonate.

Question.6. What do you understand by Neutralizing Capacity?
Answer. The Neutralizing Capacity of an antacid is expressed in milliequivalents (mEq) of hydrochloric acid.

Question.7. Enlist various inorganic compounds which are used as an Antacids?
Answer. Aluminium Hydroxide, Sodium Bicarbonatem Magnesium Oxide, Calcium Carbonate.

Question.8. What is the chemical formula for

1. Sodium bicarbonate
2. Calcium carbonate

Answer.

1. NaHC0₂
2. CaCO₃

Question.9. By which other names Magnesium Oxide is known?
Answer. Magnesia.

Question.10. How would you prepare Magnesium Carbonate?
Answer. Magnesium Carbonate is prepared by mixing hot solution of Magnesium Sulphate and Sodium Carbonate. The precipitate is collected and washed with water and then
dried.

Question.11. What are the Pharmaceutical uses of Sodium Bicarbonate?
Answer. Sodium Bicarbonate is used as fast acting antacid in dentrifices. It is used as a local applicant for bums, insect bites etc.

Question.12. How would you prepare Sodium Bicarbonate?
Answer. Sodium Bicarbonate can be prepared by mixing the hot solution of Calcium Chloride and Sodium Carbonate and allowing the resulting precipitate to subside on cooling.

Question.13. How would you prepare Magnesium Oxide?
Answer. Magnesium Oxide can be prepared by heating gently Magnesium Carbonate on redness.

Question.14. What are the ideal characteristics of an Antacids?
Answer.

1. Antacid should be absorable or cause systemic alkalosis.
2.  Antacid should probably inhibit pepsin.
3. It should exert its effect rapidly and over a long period of time.

Fill In The Blanks

1. Antacids are the drugs which are able to……………..

Answer: Neutralize the gastric contents

2. Systemic antacid is…………….in nature while non-systemic antacid is ……………….

Answer:Absorbable, non-absorable

3. Example of systemic antacid is……………

Answer: Sodium Bicarbonate

4. Neutralizing capacity of an antacid is expressed in…………….

Answer: Milliequivalents of hydrochloric acid

5. Magnesium oxide can be prepared by heating………….on redness.

Answer: Magnesium Carbonate

6. Sodium bicarbonate is used as……………………

Answer: Dentrifice, in Calcium deficiency

7……………………..are the inorganic compounds which are used as Antacids.

Answer: Magnesium Carbonate

8. Magnesium oxide is also known as………………….

Answer: Magnesia

9. Magnesium carbonate is prepared by mixing ……………and……………….

Answer: Magnesium Sulphate, Sodium Carbonate

10………..is the aluminium containing salt as antacids.

Answer: Aluminium hydroxide gel.

Saline Cathartics

Cathartics waif he defined as those drugs which are used to bring about defecation i.e. emptying of the stomach.

Cathartics are used to

1. To relieve from acute constipation.
2. To ease in daefecation of patients suffering from harmful haemorrhoids or other rectal disorders.
3. To clear bowels from stomach before surgery.

Laxatives are mild Carthatics while Purgatives are used for strong Carthatics. They act both by retaining fluids in the bowel. They should not be used on a regular basis because
they can cause water and electrolyte imbalance.

Stimulants, Bulk-forming, Emollients and Saline carthatics are the four types of laxatives. They may be administrated either by oral route (such as suspension or powder) or by rectal route (such as enema or suppository).

Inorganic compounds such as Sodium Potassium Tartarte and Magnesium Sulphate as widely used as Saline Carthatics

Classification

Laxatives can be conveniently classified into five categories :

Stimulant Laxatives: These act on the intestinal tract to increase its motor activity e.g. phenolphthalein, castor oil.

Saline Laxative: A number of magnesium salt as well as sulphate, phosphate and tartartes are used as saline laxative/carthatic. These cations and anions are not absorbed or slightly absorbed from the gastro intestinal tract.

Bulk-forming laxatives: These include natural and semisynthetic polysaccharides and cellular derivatives that are only partially digested. The undigested portion is hydrophilic & swells in presence of water to orm viscous gel.

Lubricant laxatives: These drugs (mineral oil & vegetable oil) lubricate the intestinal tract, soften the faecal contents & lubricate the passage of faeces.

Pecal softeners: Substance in this category are wetting agents e.g. docusate sodium which are non-absorbable & relatively non-toxic.

Mode of action: The saline carthatics act by increasing the osmotic load of GIT. These carthatics are salts of poorly soluble anions and cations. The body relieves hypertonidty off
the gut by secreting additional fluid into the intestinal tract.

This result is increased bulk in GIT. The resulting increasing bulk stimulates peristalsis. The saline carthatics are water soluble
and are taken with large amounts of water.

Magnesium Sulphate

Molecular Formula: MgS0₄.7H₂0                         Molecular Weight: 246.5

Synonyms: Epsom salt, Magnesium sulphate

Method of Preparation

It is obtained by the action of dilute Sulphuric Acid on Magnesium Carbonate or Magnesium Oxide. The solution obtained is filtered off and then evaporated to crystallisation.

Properties

It occurs as odourless, brillant, colourless crystals or white crystalline powder. It is having a bitter saline and cooling taste. It efflorescenes in warm dry air. It is soluble in water and
sparingly soluble in alcohol. When gently heated, it readily loses its water of hydration and is converted to monohydrate which quickly becomes anhydrous to 200°C.

Assay

This is a volumetric method and a complexometric assay. It is assayed by the titration of the substance against M/20 sodium edetate (disodium salt of ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid) using mordant black mixture, as indicator.

A mixture of strong ammonia and ammonium chloride is used as the buffer. The end point is the appearance of blue colour.

Storage
It should be stored in a well closed container because of its efflorescent nature.

Uses
It.acts as a saline laxative. It is also used in the treatment of magnesium deficiency, cholecystis (inflammation of gall bladder), hypertension and boils.

Sodium Orthophosphate

Molecular formula: Na₂HPO₄.12H₂0                   Molecular Weight: 358.14

Synonyms: Phosphor soda

Method of Preparation

1. It is prepared by reaction of Orthophosphoric Acid with Sodium Hydroxide.

2. From bone ashes or mineral phosphorite, which is then treated with Sulphuric Acid.

Properties

It is colourless odorless, and crystalline powder. It is efflorescent. It is soluble in water and practically insoluble in alcohol.

Uses

It is used as a Pharmaceutical Aid and as a Saline Carthatic. It is used as a Buffering Agent.

Bentonite

Chemical Formula: Al₂O₃.4SiO₂.H₂O

Synonyms: Clay

It is a natural, colloidal, and an absorbent aluminium phyllosilicate consisting mostly of montmorillonite, Al₂O₃.4SiO₂.H₂O. It may also contain magnesium, calcium and iron. Volclay bentonite is its most common type composed of about 90% montmorillonite [Al₂Si₄O₁₀(0H)₂.nH₂₀]. Other components such as feldspar [K₂0.Al₂O₃.6SiO₂] and aluminosilicate containing Al₂O₃ , CaO, SiO₂, MgO and soma K and Na.

Properties

It occurs as very fine odourless, cream coloured to greyish powder white. It is slightly earthy in taste. It is insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. It is stored in tightly closed containers

Uses
It is used as filler in pharmaceuticals, and due to its absorption/adsorption functions, it allows paste formation. It is also used as suspending agent.

Kaolin

Al₂O₃.2Si0₂.2H₂O

Kaolin (China clay) is purified, natural, hydrated aluminium silicate of variable composition. It is derived from the decomposition of feld spar of granitic rocks. Kaolin consists of aluminium silicate with traces of compound of magnesium, calcium & iron.

Preparation

Kaolin is prepared when rock is mined, exacavated and the impurities are washed with water and then powdered. The rock is elutriated with water and large-sized particles separated. The turbid liquid is allowed to settle, heavy Kaolin containing the large particles & colloidal Kaolin containing particles of small size are separated & dried.

Properties

Kaolin has an earthy or clay-like taste. Its colour may be tinged grey, yellow brown, blue or red due to impurities. It is unctuous & soapy to touch. It is not affected by dil. HC1 or HNO₃ acid but is decomposed by the prolonged boiling or treatment with cone. H₂S0₄.

Heavy Kaolin

It is purified natural form of variable composition. Its particles are 20 pm in diameter, flat 7 irregularly arranged. With water plastic-like form is obtained which is less sticky. It is fine white or greyish-white earthy mass or powdder.

It is practically insoluble in water & in organic solvents. When the aqueous suspension is kept for sometime, the whole Kaolin settles below leaving clear supernatant liquid.

Light Kaolin

It is a native form, freed from most of its impurities by elutriation & dried. It contains a suitable dispensing agent. The particles are small, less than 2pm in diameter & have various
shape 4 size. Natural light Kaolin is a Kaolin which does not contain a dispensing agent.

Uses :

1. Kaolins are adsorbent, anti-diarrhoeal and when given by mouth.
2. Light Kaolin is used as a dusting powder food additive.
3. They are employed in the sympathomatic treatment of diarrhoea & to coat irritated intestinal mucosa in case of diarrhoea.

Activated Charcoal

It is obtained from burning of organic material and as a residue during destructive distillation of various organic matter. The coarse material is crushed & powdered.

Alternatively, raw vegetable material may be treated with a solution of Zinc Chloride and Phosphoric acid and ignited to get the activated charcoal. The inorganic matter is removed by washing.

Properties

It is a fine black, odourless and tasteless powder having smooth touch & free from gritry particles. The fine powder provides more surface area for adsorbent properties.

Uses
It is a general typee of adsorbent which finds use in poisoningg. It also finds use in diarrhoea to absorb toxins.

Review Questions

Very Short Answer Questions

Question. 1. Define Cathartics.
Answer. Carthatics may be defined as those drugs which bring about defecation emptying of the stomach.

Question.2. Define Laxatives.
Answer. Laxatives are defined as those drugs which are used as mild carthatics.

Question.3. What is Purgative?
Answer. Purgative is defined as those drug which is used as a strong carthatic.

Question.4. Enlist various inorganic compounds which are widely used as Laxative or Purgative?
Answer. Manesium sulphate, sodium potassium tartarte.

Question.5. How do Laxative and Purgative act?
Answer. Laxative and Purgative act by retaining fluid in the bowel.

Question.6. How many types of laxatives are there?
Answer. There are four types of laxative

1. Stimulant
2. Bulk-forming
3. Emollient
4. Saline carthatics

Question.7. What is the chemical formula of Magnesium Sulphate?
Answer. MgSO₄.7H₂O

Question 8. What is the method of preparation of Magnesium Sulphate?
Answer. It is prepared by the action of dilute Sulphuric Acid on Magnesium Carbonate or Magnesium Oxide.The solution obtained is filtered off and then evaporatedto crystallise it.

Question.9. What are the side effects of Magnesium Sulphate when consumed in excessive amount?
Answer. Excessive use of Magnesium Sulphate causes hypermagnesaemia, gastro-intestinal irritation and watery diarrhoea.

Question.10. What is the molecular weight and molecular formula for Sodium Potassium Tartarte?
Answer. Chemical formula for Sodium Potassium Tartarte is C4H4KNa06.4H20 while molecular weight is 283.23.

Question.11. What are the other names for Sodium Potassium Tartrate?
Answer.

Potassium sodium tartarte.
Rochelle salt, Seignette’s salt

Question.12. How would you prepare Sodium Potassium Tartrate?
Answer. It is prepared by reaction of boiling solution of Potassium Bitartarte with Sodium Carbonate for sometime. The solution obtained is filtered, concentrated and crystallized.

Fill In The Blanks

1. ………..are used to bring about defecation.

Answer: Carthatics

2. Carthatics are used to………..

Answer: To relieve constipation

3. Laxatives are………… carthatics while Purgatives are………….. carthatics.

Answer: Mild, strong

4. Other names for Sodium Potassium Tartarte are…………..

Answer: Rochelle salt, Seignette’s salt

5 Chemical formula for Sodium Potassium Tartarte is……………..

Answer: C4H4KNa06.4H20

6. ……………… Inorganic compounds are used as saline carthatics.

Answer: Magnesium Sulphate;Sodium Potassium Tartarte

7. Excessive used of Magnesium Sulphate as saline Carthatics causes………………

Answer: G.i.t irritation and waking diarrhoea

8. Epsom salt is………………….

Answer: Magnesium sulphate

9……………………..is obtained by action of dilute Sulphuric Acid on Magnesium Carbonate.

Answer: Magnesium sulphate

10……………..is used as food additives in the preparation of meat & in cheese industry.

Answer: Sodium Potassium Tartarte