Aluminum Hydroxide

Aluminum Hydroxide Al(OH)3, ATH, is derived from a naturally occurring mineral called bayerite or gibbsite (also called hydrargillite). Aluminum hydroxide can be described as either a white bulky powder or in a granular form when purified. In its purified form the density is about 2.42 g/mL. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in strong acids and bases.

Aluminum Hydroxide is the generic name given to antacid medication under various brand names some of which are Alu-Cap, Amphojel, Alternagel, Dialume, Alu-Tab, Aloh-Gel, etc. Aluminum hydroxide is widely used to treat the symptoms of stomach acid, or acid indigestion, heartburn, sour stomach or upset stomach. The other uses of Aluminum hydroxide are to reduce levels of phosphate in people suffering from types of kidney conditions. It can also cause constipation and is thought to have concerns of the excessive consumption of aluminum compounds might be one cause for Alzheimer's disease. This is because of traces of aluminum being found in brain lesions in Alzheimer sufferers. However numerous studies have not found a connection to support there is a link to the exposure to aluminum and neurological disorders. As Aluminum hydroxide medication contains aluminum it can react with other medications that a patient may be taking at the time, preventing the absorption of other medications to the body.

There are side effects to the prolonged use of this medication. Constipation is one that can occur which may give rise to hemorrhoids and other bowel dysfunctions. As in the administration of other medications, medical attention and advice must be sought if there is a need to the continuation of the drug. Aluminum hydroxide has the capacity to bind to phosphate which is a, important chemical present in the gut causing lowered phosphate levels if the patients kidneys are normal.

Aluminum hydroxide may also be used for other purposes other than in medicine. Aluminum hydroxide has the ability to adsorb substances on its surface which explains the number of other applications it is put to. For instance it is efficient as a filtering medium. It is also used in many chemical applications and in chromatography devices as well as in ion-exchange. In industrial usage, Aluminum hydroxide is used as a fire retardant filler for applications of polymer. It has the ability to absorb an extensive amount of heat and give off water vapor in the process and is very effective as a suppressant of smoke.

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