What do antacids primarily do?

Antacids primarily function by neutralizing the acids in the stomach. This is essential for alleviating symptoms associated with conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcers, and indigestion. The active ingredients in antacids, such as magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, and calcium carbonate, react with gastric acid to form water and other neutral compounds, thereby reducing acidity and providing symptomatic relief.

Understanding the role of antacids can help in recognizing their use in managing acid-related disorders. The other options do not depict the function of antacids accurately; for example, blocking blood clotting is related to anticoagulants, and inducing bradycardia involves medications affecting heart rate, while increasing smooth muscle spasms is associated with different pharmacological agents targeting gastrointestinal motility or other conditions.