Roughly 95 million Americans suffer from heartburn, which can result from stress, eating too much or too fast, or eating spicy or fatty foods. Symptoms include a burning sensation, gas, nausea, and pain. Many people treat this condition by using antacids, an over-the-counter (OTC) drug taken orally that comes in liquid or tablet form. Typical well-known brands include Tums, Rolaids, and Alka-Seltzer. Mylanta is one brand that comes in liquid form. Brands like Alka-Seltzer are taken in suspension form. Tablets consist of fine antacid powder combined with flavorings and binders. Simethicone is often added to antacids as an anti-gas agent.

The antacid market covers a wide range of products. In the United States alone there are over 120 different formulations, composed of single ingredients or mixtures. In 1997, traditional antacids (acid neutralizers) generated sales of $770 million in the United States, out of the antacid-antigas market totaling $1.32 billion. The rest of the...