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
medicationA pharmaceutical drug, also referred to as medicine, medication or medicament, can be loosely defined as any chemical substance intended for use in the medical diagnosis, cure, treatment, or prevention of disease.- Classification :...
s sold
over the counterOver-the-counter drugs are medicines that may be sold to a customer without a prescription from a health care professional, as compared to prescription drugs, which may only be sold to customers possessing a valid prescription...
and taken by means of rapidly dissolving tablets that form a carbonated solution in water.
Alka-Seltzer is a combination of
aspirinAspirin , also known as acetylsalicylic acid , is a salicylate drug, often used as an analgesic to relieve minor aches and pains, as an antipyretic to reduce fever, and as an anti-inflammatory medication....
(acetylsalicylic acid),
sodium bicarbonateSodium bicarbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate is the chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3. Sodium bicarbonate is a white solid that is crystalline but often appears as a fine powder. It has a slight alkaline taste resembling that of washing soda . It is a component of the...
(NaHCO
3), and
citric acidCitric acid is a weak organic acid, and it is a natural preservative and is also used to add an acidic, or sour, taste to foods and soft drinks. In biochemistry, it is important as an intermediate in the citric acid cycle and therefore occurs in the metabolism of virtually all living things...
, designed to treat pain and simultaneously neutralize excess
stomachIn most mammals, the stomach is a hollow, muscular organ of the gastrointestinal tract , between the esophagus and the small intestine. It is involved in the second phase of digestion, following mastication . The word stomach is derived from the Latin stomachus, which derives from the Greek word...
acidAn acid is traditionally considered any chemical compound that, when dissolved in water, gives a solution with a hydrogen ion activity greater than in pure water, i.e. a pH less than 7.0...
(the "Alka" being derived from the word "
alkaliIn chemistry, an alkali is a basic, ionic salt of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal element. Alkalis are best known for being bases that dissolve in water. Bases are compounds with a pH greater than 7. The adjective alkaline is commonly used in English as a synonym for base, especially for...
").
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
medicationA pharmaceutical drug, also referred to as medicine, medication or medicament, can be loosely defined as any chemical substance intended for use in the medical diagnosis, cure, treatment, or prevention of disease.- Classification :...
s sold
over the counterOver-the-counter drugs are medicines that may be sold to a customer without a prescription from a health care professional, as compared to prescription drugs, which may only be sold to customers possessing a valid prescription...
and taken by means of rapidly dissolving tablets that form a carbonated solution in water.
Product information
Alka-Seltzer is a combination of
aspirinAspirin , also known as acetylsalicylic acid , is a salicylate drug, often used as an analgesic to relieve minor aches and pains, as an antipyretic to reduce fever, and as an anti-inflammatory medication....
(acetylsalicylic acid),
sodium bicarbonateSodium bicarbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate is the chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3. Sodium bicarbonate is a white solid that is crystalline but often appears as a fine powder. It has a slight alkaline taste resembling that of washing soda . It is a component of the...
(NaHCO
3), and
citric acidCitric acid is a weak organic acid, and it is a natural preservative and is also used to add an acidic, or sour, taste to foods and soft drinks. In biochemistry, it is important as an intermediate in the citric acid cycle and therefore occurs in the metabolism of virtually all living things...
, designed to treat pain and simultaneously neutralize excess
stomachIn most mammals, the stomach is a hollow, muscular organ of the gastrointestinal tract , between the esophagus and the small intestine. It is involved in the second phase of digestion, following mastication . The word stomach is derived from the Latin stomachus, which derives from the Greek word...
acidAn acid is traditionally considered any chemical compound that, when dissolved in water, gives a solution with a hydrogen ion activity greater than in pure water, i.e. a pH less than 7.0...
(the "Alka" being derived from the word "
alkaliIn chemistry, an alkali is a basic, ionic salt of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal element. Alkalis are best known for being bases that dissolve in water. Bases are compounds with a pH greater than 7. The adjective alkaline is commonly used in English as a synonym for base, especially for...
"). 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 dioxideCarbon dioxide is a chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom. It is a gas at standard temperature and pressure and exists in Earth's atmosphere in this state...
gas (hence the "
SeltzerSeltzer may refer to:*carbonated water, after the German town of Selters an der Lahn which has natural fountains of carbonated water*Seltzer, Pennsylvania, census-designated place in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, United StatesPeople...
"), 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 syndromeReye's syndrome is a potentially fatal disease that causes numerous detrimental effects to many organs, especially the brain and liver, as well as causing hypoglycemia...
; the product is no longer advertised in this fashion.
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 acidCitric acid is a weak organic acid, and it is a natural preservative and is also used to add an acidic, or sour, taste to foods and soft drinks. In biochemistry, it is important as an intermediate in the citric acid cycle and therefore occurs in the metabolism of virtually all living things...
|
+ |
baking soda |
→ |
waterWater is an ubiquitous chemical substance that is composed of hydrogen and oxygen and is essential for all known forms of life.In typical usage, water refers only to its liquid form or state, but the substance also has a solid state, ice, and a gaseous state, water vapor or steam. Water covers 71%...
|
+ |
carbon dioxide Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom. It is a gas at standard temperature and pressure and exists in Earth's atmosphere in this state...
|
+ |
sodium citrate Trisodium citrate has the chemical formula of Na3C6H5O7. It is sometimes referred to simply as sodium citrate, though sodium citrate can refer to any of the three sodium salts of citric acid. It possesses a saline, mildly tart, flavor. For this reason,...
|
Marketing
The product has been extensively
advertisedAdvertising is a form of communication used to influence individuals to purchase products or services or support political candidates or ideas. Frequently it communicates a message that includes the name of the product or service and how that product or service could potentially benefit the consumer...
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 PalGeorge Pal , born György Pál Marczincsák, was a Hungarian-born American animator and film producer, principally associated with the science fiction genre. He became an American citizen after emigrating from Europe....
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 BealsRichard "Dick" Beals is an American voice actor. He has performed many voices in his career, which spans from the early 1950s into the 21st century...
).
TV commercials
Alka-Seltzer TV ads from the 1960's and 70's were among the most popular ad campaigns of the 20th century, ranking number 13, according to
Advertising AgeAdvertising Age is a magazine, delivering news, analysis and data on marketing and media. The magazine was started as a broadsheet newspaper in Chicago in 1930...
. In an effort to increase sales in a relatively flat business, Bayer has revived several of the vintage spots.
- George Raft
George Raft was an American film actor identified with portrayals of gangsters in crime melodramas of the 1930s and 1940s.-Early life:...
starred in the 1969 Alka-Seltzer commercial "The Unfinished Lunch." It consists of Raft incarcerated and in the prison lunchroom. He takes a bite of the awful prison food and recoils back. Suddenly he bangs his cup on the steel table loudly in the lunchroom. It ripple effects throughout the room. He starts intoning "Alka Seltzer, Alka Seltzer..." Soon, the other hundreds of inmates do the same. The commercial is regarded as a "classic", mostly because the product is never seen, and the brand name is the only word spoken. It is reminiscent of the old radio ad for a similar product, Bromo-SeltzerBromo-Seltzer , is an antacid used to relieve pain occurring together with heartburn, upset stomach, or acid indigestion. Originally produced by inventor Isaac E...
, with its "freight train" rhythmic repetition of the product's name.
- An animated mid-1960s commercial, animated by R.O. Blechman, shows a man and his own stomach sitting opposite each other in chairs, having an argument which is moderated by their therapist in a voiceover. The stomach (the voice of Gene Wilder
Gene Wilder is an American stage and screen actor, director, screenwriter, and author.Wilder began his career on stage, making his screen debut in the film Bonnie and Clyde in 1967. His first major role was as Leo Bloom in the 1968 film The Producers...
) accuses the man of purposely trying to irritate it, the man accuses his stomach of complaining too much about the foods he likes. The therapist suggests Alka-Seltzer, and further suggests that the two need to take care of each other. The closing words are the stomach saying: "Well, I'll try - if he will".
- Alka-Seltzer had a series of commercials during the mid-1960s which utilized a song called "No Matter What Shape Your Stomach's In," a different version of which was recorded by the T-Bones
The T-Bones were an American pop group active in the mid 1960s. The group had a hit single in 1966 with their instrumental "No Matter What Shape ", whose melody was from a commercial for Alka-Seltzer...
and was released as a single which became a hit in 1966. The ads were unique in that they featured only the mid-sections (no faces) of people of all shapes and sizes.
- In an Alka-Seltzer commercial from 1970, an actor (played by Jack Somack ) in a commercial for the fictional product "Magdalini's Meatballs" has to eat a meatball and then say "Mamma mia, that's-a spicy meat ball-a!" in an ersatz Italian accent. Take after take is ruined by some comedic trial or another. By the commercial's end, "Jack" has eaten so many meatballs that it's "Alka Seltzer to the rescue". With his stomach settled, Jack does a perfect take, except the oven door falls off. The director (off-camera) sighs and says, "OK, let's break for lunch." Although it has been said that this commercial was dropped because it was allegedly demeaning to Italians, more likely it was dropped because it failed to increase sales of the product (even today most people think it was a commercial for spaghetti sauce).
- Another 1970 commercial shows a newlywed couple in the bedroom after his wife (played by Alice Playten
Alice Playten is an American actress and Voice actress. Playten is also the current voice of Felix the Cat.Born Alice Plotkin in New York City, Playten began her career in 1959 in the Broadway musical Gypsy. Additional Broadway credits include Oliver!, Henry, Sweet Henry, Hello, Dolly!, Rumors,...
) has finished serving him a giant dumplingDumplings are cooked balls of dough. They are based on flour, potatoes, bread or matzoh meal, and may include meat, fish, or sweets. They may be cooked by boiling, steaming, simmering, frying, or baking. Ingredients may be as a part of a filling, or mixed throughout the dumpling. Dumplings may be...
; the implication is that her cooking skills are severely lacking. She lies on the bed in delusional triumph. She offers her beleaguered husband a heart-shaped meatloafMeatloaf is a meat dish consisting of ground meat , which is formed into a loaf shape and baked or smoked...
; he disappears to take some Alka-Seltzer. When she hears the fizzy noise coming from the bathroom, he quickly covers the glass of dissolving Alka-Seltzer as she wonders aloud if it is raining. Just when he has recovered his well-being, he hears her misreading recipes for dinner the next night: "marshmallowThe marshmallow is a confection that, in its modern form, typically consists of sugar or corn syrup, water, gelatin that has been softened in hot water, dextrose, and flavorings, whipped to a spongy consistency...
ed meatballs," and "pouched (actually poachedPoaching is the process of gently simmering food in liquid, generally water, milk, stock or wine.-Utilization:Poaching is particularly suitable for fragile food, such as eggs, poultry, fish and fruit, which might easily fall apart or dry out...
) oysters". He returns to the bathroom for more Alka-Seltzer.
- A 1971 commercial featured the catch-phrase, "Try it, you'll like it!" It was remade with Kathy Griffin
Kathleen Mary "Kathy" Griffin is an American actress, stand-up comedian, media personality, and LGBT rights advocate. A self-proclaimed "D-list celebrity", Griffin first gained recognition for appearances on two episodes of Seinfeld, and then for her supporting role on the NBC sitcom Suddenly Susan...
in 2006.
- In 1972, an actor spent the commercial moaning, "I can't believe I ate the whole thing!" while his wife made sarcastic comments and finally advised him to take some Alka-Seltzer. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/19/business/media/19adco.html?ex=1308369600&en=547d07b6d0bf4e89&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss In 2005, this ad was also remade, featuring Peter Boyle
Peter Lawrence Boyle, Jr. was an American actor, best known for his role as Frank Barone on the sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, and as a comical monster in Mel Brooks' film spoof Young Frankenstein ....
and Doris RobertsDoris May Roberts is an American actress, perhaps best known for playing Marie Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond.-Early life:...
from the 1996–2005 TV sitcom Everybody Loves RaymondEverybody Loves Raymond is an American television sitcom that originally ran on CBS from September 13, 1996 to May 16, 2005.Many of the situations from the show are based on the real-life experiences of lead actor Ray Romano, creator/producer Phil Rosenthal and the show's writing staff...
.
- Another Alka-Seltzer commercial from the same era is one concerning "The ultimate businessman's lunch". Seeking "revenge" on his underlings for former bad suggestions, "The Boss" [aka "Mr. J.G.", played by character actor Milton Frome
Milton Frome was an American character actor. He made approximately 140 television and film appearances between-Career:...
] is taking his "boys" out to lunch in the most out-of-the-way place imaginable. In this instance they are seen trudging through the snow in a howling windstorm towards their destination, a Chinese restaurant in the mountains of Tibet. Once inside the restaurant and removing their parkas, J.G. and the boys are greeted by the proprietor, "Moo Chee" [a thinly veiled reference to other oriental food], played by character actor and voice artist Marvin MillerMarvin Miller was an American film and voice-over actor. Possessing a deep, baritone voice, he began his career in radio in St. Louis, Missouri before becoming a Hollywood actor...
[best-known for playing Michael Anthony, personal assistant to John Beresford Tipton [III] on the 1950s TV series "The MillionaireThe Millionaire is a television drama anthology series that aired on CBS from January 19, 1955 to June 8, 1960, originally sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive.. The series explored the ways unexpected wealth changed life for better or for worse...
", and the voice of "Robby the RobotRobby the Robot is a fictional character who has made a number of appearances in science fiction movies and television programs from 1956 onward.-Description and overview:...
" in the 1950s film Forbidden PlanetForbidden Planet is a 1956 science fiction film in CinemaScope and Metrocolor directed by Fred M. Wilcox and starring Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis and Leslie Nielsen...
]. Moo Chee directs them into the dining room where J.G. orders all the food, including roast yak in a special hot sauce followed by "chocolate moose". One of the boys complains "but J.G., that's a French dessert!". J.G. responds "No, this is a real moose!" followed quickly by Moo Chee chiming in "with special hot chocolate sauce!" [as in hot peppers]. In the next scene J.G. and the boys are eating and getting sick, when in comes Moo Chee announcing "Important phone call for Mr. J.G.!" In the next scene, the hung-up telephone is seen [just a prop in the ruse to get away from the boys], and J.G. is finishing his Alka-Seltzer, thanking Moo Chee for his timely "rescue" from the awful food. Relieved, the boss returns to the now-empty dining room with Moo Chee. "Where are the boys?" asks J.G. The final remark is by Moo Chee "Maybe they too have important phone call, Mr. J.G." All of this detail is conveyed in a 30-second spot.
- Sammy Davis, Jr.
Samuel George Davis, Jr. was an American entertainer.Primarily a dancer and singer, Davis was a childhood vaudevillian, and became internationally famous for his performances on Broadway and Las Vegas, as a recording artist, television and film star, and the only black member of Frank Sinatra's...
recorded two versions of the famous "Plop Plop Fizz Fizz" jingle in 1978, one of which (the "big band" version) was featured on a television commercial. Both versions, the big band and rock versions, had additional lyrics (with at least one verse unique to each song) written by Tom Dawes, former lead singer of The CyrkleThe Cyrkle was a short-lived American rock and roll band active in the mid-1960s. Though not officially a one-hit wonder , they are best known for their 1966 version of the song Red Rubber Ball, which reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and still receives significant airplay on oldies radio...
.
- In 2009, the brand was featured in television commercials supporting the United States Ski Team that included alpine skier
Alpine skiing is the sport of sliding down snow-covered hills on skis with fixed-heel bindings. Alpine skiing can be contrasted with nordic skiing, in which skiers use free-heel bindings...
Lindsey Vonn and Nordic combinedThe Nordic combined is a winter sport in which athletes compete in both cross-country skiing and ski jumping.- History :While Norwegian soldiers are known to have been competing in nordic skiing since the 18th century, the first major competition in Nordic combined was held in 1892 in Oslo at the...
skier Bill DemongBill Demong is an American Nordic combined skier who has been competing since 1999. He won a complete set of medals at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships with a gold , a silver , and a bronze .Demong's best finish at the Winter Olympics...
.
Popular Culture
On March 28, 2006, the 75th anniversary of Alka-Seltzer was celebrated in Las Vegas by a
Guinness World Record-Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records , is a reference book published annually, containing an internationally recognised...
setting buffet, which included 510 items and was hosted by actress/comedian
Kathy GriffinKathleen Mary "Kathy" Griffin is an American actress, stand-up comedian, media personality, and LGBT rights advocate. A self-proclaimed "D-list celebrity", Griffin first gained recognition for appearances on two episodes of Seinfeld, and then for her supporting role on the NBC sitcom Suddenly Susan...
.
On March 22, 2003,
Expedition SixExpedition 6 was the sixth expedition to the International Space Station.- Crew :- Mission parameters :* Perigee: 384 km* Apogee: 396 km* Inclination: 51.6°* Period: 92 min* Docked: November 25, 2002, 21:59 UTC...
NASAThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an agency of the United States government, responsible for the nation's public space program. NASA was established by the National Aeronautics and Space Act on July 29, 1958, replacing its predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for...
ISS Science Officer Don Pettit performed a series of microgravity experiments with water spheres and Alka-Seltzer, which were described as "effervescent antacid tablets".