Ingestion of antacid tablets (Rennie (R)) and acute confusion

The authors describe a case of milk-alkali syndrome in a man who consumed a ntacid tablets (Rennie(R)) for chronic epigastric pain, Simultaneous occurr ence of hypercalcemia, metabolic alkalosis, and renal insufficiency, in con junction with the appropriate history of ingestion of calcium carbonate-con taining antacids, was suggestive of the syndrome. The syndrome became uncom mon with the advent of modern ulcer therapy, but currently is increasing in frequency with the calcium supplementation drugs taken to prevent osteopor osis. This syndrome may produce life-threatening hypercalcemia, (C) 2000 El sevier Science Inc.