The Day as of the Last Time that I Checked is, As of Right Now, In This Moment 8.29.11
MEASURMENT
The stupid blogger thing won't let me upload in any other languages, so you guys are missing out on a LOT of Hebrew. I probably should have checked to make sure it works before typing a lot into translate. Oops. Oh, well. It was a fun hour.
Anyway.............. I had a long thing on one of my posts last year that I tried to find but was unable to, so you will just have to content yourself with whatever is on my mind today, which does NOT include Chemistry. However, it does include... Alka Seltzer............................................................................................................................................................
Alka-Seltzer is an effervescent antacid first marketed in 1931 by the Dr. Miles Medicine Company. It was developed under the direction of company scientist Mikey Wiseman. Alka-Seltzer is marketed for relief of headache, heartburn, and hangovers while neutralizing excess stomach acid.
Alka-Seltzer is currently owned by Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Germany. The name "Alka-Seltzer" has been extended to incorporate an entire line of medications sold over the counter and taken by means of rapidly dissolving tablets that form a carbonated solution in water.
Product information:
Alka-Seltzer is a combination of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), and citric acid, designed to treat pain and simultaneously neutralize excess stomach acid (the "Alka" being derived from the word "alkali"). It is provided in the form of large effervescent tablets, about 1 inch (25 mm) in diameter, which are dissolved (two at a time for the usual adult dosage) in a glass of water. As the tablets dissolve, the base (bicarbonate) and the acid (citric acid) react vigorously producing carbon dioxide gas (hence the "Seltzer"), which also produces enough agitation to allow the active ingredients to dissolve slowly. The patient then ingests the resulting solution.
Currently Alka-Seltzer comes in foil packets, each containing two tablets. Prior to 1984 it was also available in long glass tubes. It comes in various flavors.
It was once marketed as something of a cure-all; at one time its ads even suggested taking it for "the blahs." Subsequent regulation has taken into consideration that aspirin is a relatively powerful drug which is not tolerated by everyone and should not generally be taken at all by children or adolescents due to its linkage to Reye's syndrome; the product is no longer advertised in this fashion.
[edit]Chemistry of the effervescence
Though important to the overall effect of the medication, the aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) does not contribute to the effervescent action of Alka-Seltzer; the effervescence is produced by the baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and citric acid reacting to form sodium citrate and carbon dioxide gas.
C6H8O7(aq) + 3NaHCO3(aq) → 3H2O(l) + 3CO2(g) + Na3C6H5O7(aq)
citric acid - baking soda → water + carbon dioxide + sodium citrate
Marketing:
The product has been extensively advertised since its launch in the U.S. Print advertising was utilized immediately, and in 1932 the radio show Alka-Seltzer Comedy Star of Hollywood began, with National Barn Dance following in 1933, along with many more. Two years after its launch came the repeal of Prohibition in the US, and Alka-Seltzer became Miles' new flagship product, displacing Miles Nervine Tonic. In 1951 the "Speedy" character was introduced. Created by George Pal of the Wade Ad Agency as Sparky, the name was changed to Speedy by a sales manager to promote that year's promotional theme of "Speedy Relief". He appeared in over 200 TV commercials between 1954 and 1964. Speedy's body was one Alka-Seltzer tablet, while he wore another as a hat; he proclaimed Alka-Seltzer's virtues and sang the "Plop, plop, fizz, fizz" song in his high, squeaky voice (provided by voice actor Dick Beals)
http://askville.amazon.com/history-original-alka-seltzer/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=20469285
You're welcome. And in case you had any questions, here are some that are frequently asked:
What is the advantage of using the Alka-Seltzer Heartburn product for heartburn relief over taking a medicine in tablet form?
There are multiple advantages to using the effervescent Alka-Seltzer Heartburn product. Simply put, the medicine dissolves fast and is ready to go to work the instant you take it. Because the medicines in the Alka-Seltzer Heartburn product are in solution prior to ingestion, they do not require time to dissolve in the stomach like similar active ingredients taken in tablet form.
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If I am diabetic, can I use Alka-Seltzer?
Ask a Doctor or Pharmacist before use if you are taking a prescription medicine for diabetes.
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Can I Use the Alka-Seltzer formulas beyond the expiration date?
We recommend that you discard any expired Alka-Seltzer product. It will not be harmful if ingested, but it may not be as effective in relieving your symptoms.
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How much water should I use?
4 ounces.
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Can I dissolve Alka-Seltzer tablets in something other than water?
We do not recommend anything but water. While the tablets will dissolve in other liquids, the amount of fizz or time to full dissolution will change. Also, efficacy and safety have not been established when these products are dissolved in anything but water.
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Sometimes there is a residue in the glass after I take Alka-Seltzer. Does it need to be consumed?
You do not have to drink the residue on the sides and the bottom of the glass. All the medicines are in the water.
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What temperature of water should I use to dissolve Alka-Seltzer tablets?
The best temperature is room temperature. Cold water will slow down dissolution and warm water can make it foam excessively.
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What should I do if the tablets don't fizz?
This is a sign that the tablets may have started to break down. It is very likely that the foil packet has a slight imperfection or pin hole which has allowed moisture to come in contact with the tablets. This may also cause the tablets to discolor and crumble. Please be aware that the product will not be as effective. Call 1-800-800-4793.
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How long can I use Alka-Seltzer?
Please read and follow label directions. Alka-Seltzer should not be used for more than 10 consecutive days.
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Can I use Alka-Seltzer products if I'm pregnant or nursing?
As with any drug, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, seek the advice of a health professional before using any Alka-Seltzer product.
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Do hangovers only result from nights of excessive drinking?
The symptoms commonly referred to as a "hangover" aren't necessarily a result of excessive drinking. For many people it can take no more than a late night with one or two drinks to cause minor aches and pains with fatigue or drowsiness the next morning.
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Does Alka-Seltzer Contain PPA (phenylpropanolamine)?
No. None of the Alka-Seltzer formulas have ever contained PPA (phenylpropanolamine). PPA was removed from Alka-Seltzer Plus products in 2000.
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Where can I buy Alka-Seltzer products?
The various Alka-Seltzer formulas are available in most drug stores, food stores, mass merchandisers and club stores. If you do not find them on your local store shelf, ask the store manager to order them for you. We have found that most stores make their purchasing decisions based on consumer interest. Click here to link to our product locator.
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How can I be sure that I am getting the best price for my Alka-Seltzer?
Pricing varies from store to store. As with any purchase, whether it be clothing, food, or Alka-Seltzer products, it is recommended that you watch for sales, money-saving coupons, and do some comparison shopping for the best retail price in your area. Click here for money saving coupons.
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Did Alka-Seltzer ever come in a glass container?
Alka-Seltzer used to be in glass tubes, which were discontinued in 1984 to reduce costs and eliminate breakage problems.
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Who composed the "Plop Plop Fizz Fizz" jingle?
Tom Dawes - Twin Star Music.
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What is the History of Speedy Alka-Seltzer?
Radio Actor, Dick Beals was the voice of Speedy Alka-Seltzer on our Alka-Seltzer commercials. Speedy Alka-Seltzer was originally known as Sparky, but the name was changed by a sales manager, Perry L. Shupert, to reflect that year's promotional theme, "Speedy Relief". The Speedy Alka-Seltzer character was created at the Wade Ad Agency in 1951. The original working model was 6 inches tall and sculpted by Duke Russell. It appeared in more than 200 commercials over a 10 year period from 1954-1964. In 1955 a vinyl Speedy Alka-Seltzer doll was created.
http://alkaseltzer.com/as/faqs.html
Wow! Isn't this fun! And now even more info about this facinating topic:
How does it work?
Alka-seltzer original effervescent tablets contain three active ingredients, aspirin, sodium hydrogen carbonate and citric acid.
Aspirin belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It works by blocking the action of a substance in the body called cyclo-oxygenase.
Cyclo-oxygenase is involved in the production of various chemicals in the body, some of which are known as prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are produced in response to injury or certain diseases and would otherwise go on to cause pain, swelling and inflammation. Aspirin is therefore used to relieve pain and inflammation.
Sodium hydrogen carbonate and citric acid form antacids by their effervescent reaction with water. They decrease the acidity of the stomach's juices, by binding to and neutralising excess acid. This helps to relieve the symptoms of heartburn and indigestion and settles the stomach.
The combination of these medicines is used primarily to relieve headaches accompanied by an upset stomach, which can ofter occur after over-indulgence in food, drink or both. It can also be used to relieve various other types of aches and pains.
What is it used for?
Headache associated with upset stomach.
Mild to moderate pain, eg migraine, period pain, toothache, sore throat.
Relief from the symptoms of colds and flu such as headache, feverishness and muscular aches and pains.
Warning!
Do not exceed the recommended dose of this medicine, which will be stated in the product packaging or information leaflet supplied with the medicine.
If symptoms persist despite treatment, seek medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not use for more than three days except on medical advice.
Children under 16 years of age should not take aspirin, unless on the advice of a doctor. This is because aspirin use in children has been associated with a rare condition called Reye's syndrome. This condition affects the brain and liver and though extremely rare, can be fatal. The causes of Reye's syndrome are not fully understood, but the use of aspirin to treat fever in children with a virus has been implicated. There are many paracetamol and ibuprofen products that are not associated with Reye's syndrome which are available to treat pain and fever in this age group. For more advice talk to your pharmacist.
Use with caution in
Asthma.
History of disorders affecting the stomach or intestines, such as ulceration or bleeding.
Decreased kidney function.
Decreased liver function.
People taking anticoagulant or 'blood thinning' medicines.
People who have recently had surgery.
Gout.
People on a low sodium diet.
Not to be used in
People with blood clotting disorders such as haemophilia.
Breastfeeding.
People in whom aspirin or other NSAIDs, eg ibuprofen, cause allergic reactions such as asthma attacks, itchy rash (urticaria), nasal inflammation (rhinitis) or swelling of the lips, tongue and throat (angioedema).
Active peptic ulcer, perforation (hole) or bleeding in the gut.
People with a history of peptic ulcers.
People taking 15mg or more of methotrexate weekly.
Children and adolescents under 16 years of age, unless on the advice of a doctor.
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
This medicine should not be taken in the third trimester of pregnancy. If aspirin is used in the third trimester it may delay labour, increase the length of labour, increase the risk of bleeding in the mother and baby and cause complications in the newborn baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor before using this medicine during any stage of pregnancy.
Significant amounts of this medicine may pass into breast milk. It should not be used by breastfeeding mothers as it may be harmful to the nursing infant. Seek further medical advice from your doctor.
Label warnings
Dissolve or mix this medication with water before taking.
This medication contains aspirin.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
Disturbances of the gut such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or abdominal pain.
Stomach or duodenal ulcer.
Bleeding from the stomach or intestine.
Changes in liver function.
Allergic reactions such as skin rash, swelling of the lips, tongue and throat (angioedema) or narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm).
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
How can this medicine affect other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.
People taking anticoagulant medicines used to prevent the blood clotting, eg warfarin, should not take aspirin to relieve pain or inflammation. This is because aspirin can irritate the stomach lining, as well as increase the effects of warfarin, both of which increase the likelihood of bleeding.
There may also be an increased risk of bleeding if aspirin is taken with the following medicines:
'blood-thinning' (antiplatelet) medicines such as clopidogrel or dipyridamole
heparin
SSRI antidepressants, such as fluoxetine, paroxetine
venlafaxine.
Aspirin reduces the rate at which the body can remove the medicine methotrexate. The two should not usually be used together, unless on the advice of a doctor.
There is an increased risk of side effects if aspirin is taken with other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), eg ibuprofen, diclofenac, indometacin. For this reason, aspirin should not be taken with any other NSAID.
There may be an increased risk of bleeding or ulceration of the stomach or intestines if aspirin is taken with corticosteroids, eg prednisolone, dexamethasone.
There may be an increased risk of side effects if aspirin is taken with acetazolamide.
Antacids containing sodium, such as sodium hydrogen carbonate, can decrease the effectiveness of lithium and this medicine should therefore be avoided by people taking lithium.
Other medicines containing the same active ingredients
There are currently no other medicines available in the UK that contain all three active ingredients aspirin, sodium hydrogen carbonate and citric acid.
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100004759.html
Just in case you were wondering, if you ever want to get to the chem stuff, I suggest not reading the above. Just a thought.
Announcements- Today we 1) Were asked to turn in our safety contracts if we had not already done so
2) looked over the wonderful scribepost of Mr. David C.
3) learned that we would be doing our lab reports with google docs
4) spent the rest of the time working on the Alka Seltzer lab with our partners
Homework-None really, we will finish the labs tomorrow and start working on the lab reports in class also
Body- This is the part where I tell you about the lab, but I am getting sort of tired, so... I'm not gonna do it. Sorry.
Welcome to dream world...
Raindrops keep falling on my head
And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed
Nothin' seems to fit
Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling
So I just did me some talkin' to the sun
And I said I didn't like the way he' got things done
Sleepin' on the job
Those raindrops are falling on my, head they keep falling
But there's one thing I know
The blues he sends to meet me won't defeat me
It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me
Raindrops keep falling on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red
Crying's not for me
Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin'
Because I'm free
Nothing's worrying me.
OK, FINE! I'LL DO IT!!!
Ok, so, we did the lab parts 2 and three. In part two, we tried to make an Alka Seltzer rocket shoot off as fast as possible. We first divided one tablet into 4 equal parts. For the first test, we filled a canister half way with water and dropped a tablet quarter in it. We timed the time (unnessciary redundancy) that it took for the fizzing to stop and RECORDED the DATA somewhere. For the second trial, we did the same thing, but with the cap on the canister. Once again we timed it and RECORDED the DATA. For trial three, we filled the canister up 3/4 of the way and for teial four, we only filled it 13421749/53686996 of the way. There were a few questions about the variables and the data at the end.
Intermission
Do Doo Da Do Da Do Da Daaaaaaaaaaaa Do Da Da Do Da Do Do Daaaaaaaa Da Da Do Da Da ... Do Da Da DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Ok, on to part 3. This part requires less explination bcause there is much more personal freedom involved. Essentially, you and your partner are to create an expeiment, with ALKA SELTZER, that has a problem, hypothesis, variables, a procedure, data, and a conclusion. THIS is what we will be doing the lab reports on. You are to actually DO this experiment, not just create it, so try to make it fun and dangerous.
BTheW, it wouldn't let me upload any pictures, so I am sorry about that, because I had some pretty great ones in mind, involving my backyard and an entire box of Alka Seltzer... darn.
I'm sorry this wasn't better, but I decided my sleep was more important than being a bit funnier. But just wait till next time...
-joshb
The Gods of Random Choice have chosen Katie as the next victm...I swear I actually did pick completly randomly by use of a random number grnerator... it was random.
