Alka Seltzer

Alka Seltzer is a popular over-the-counter antacid that is combined with aspirin that helps reduce pain and inflammation as well as upset stomach.

About Alka Seltzer

Alka-Seltzer is a product that is marketed for relief of minor aches and pains, inflammation, fever, headache, heartburn, sour stomach, indigestion, 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 the means of rapidly dissolving tablets that form a carbonated solution in water.

Alka-Seltzer is a combination of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), and citric acid. It is designed to treat pain and simultaneously neutralize excess stomach acid. It is provided in the form of large effervescent tablets that are about 1 inch (25 mm) in diameter. These tablets are then dissolved in a glass of water. The adult dosage is 2 tablets. As the tablets dissolve, the base (bicarbonate) and the acid (citric acid) react vigorously producing a carbon dioxide gas (which is where you get the Seltzer) which also produces enough agitation to allow the active ingredients to dissolve slowly. The patient then ingests the solution. Alka-Seltzer is also effective for pain relief alone, but should not be used for heartburn without pain, due to the aspirin content of the product. Unlike the original blue Alka-Seltzer, Alka-Seltzer Gold does not contain aspirin, or any other pain relievers.

Currently Alka-Seltzer comes in foil packets, each containing two tablets. Before 1984 it was available in long glass tubes. It also comes in various flavors.

Alka-Seltzer was once marketed as something of a cure-all and at one time its ads even suggested taking it for the blahs. Subsequent promotion 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 way.

Alka-Seltzer has been extensively advertised since its launch. 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. The radio sponsorships continued into the 1950’s ending with the Alka-Seltzer Time show.

In 1951 the Speedy character was introduced. It was created by George Pal of the Wade Ad Agency. Originally its name was Sparky, but 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 very popular Plop, plop, fizz, fizz song in his high, squeaky voice (provided by voice actor Dick Beals). The words Plop Plop Fizz Fizz Oh What A Relief It is became synonymous with Alka-Seltzer. Sammy Davis, Jr. recorded two versions of the famous Plop Plop Fizz Fizz jingle in 1978, one of which was featured on a television commercial.

In 2009, the brand was featured in television commercials supporting the United States Ski Team that included Alpine skier Lindsey Vonn and Nordic combined skier Bill Demong.

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