Antacids

What are Antacids?

Antacids are medicines that neutralize acid in the stomach. They contain ingredients such as aluminum, calcium, magnesium, or sodium bicarbonate which act as bases (alkalis) to counteract stomach acid and make its pH more neutral.

pH is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution and this determines how acidic or how alkaline that solution is. The scale ranges from 1 to 14, where below 7 is acidic, 7 is neutral, and above 7 is alkaline. Normal gastric acid pH is in the range 1.5-3.5.

What are antacids used for?

Antacids are used to relieve the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, also known as acid reflux), heartburn or indigestion (also called dyspepsia). By neutralizing stomach acid, antacids relieve symptoms such as burning behind the breast bone or throat area (esophagus) caused by acid reflux, a bitter taste in the mouth, a persistent dry cough, pain when lying down, or regurgitation.

Some antacids are also used for completely unrelated medical conditions, for example:

  • Aluminum antacids: lower elevated blood phosphate levels and prevent the formation of kidney stones
  • Calcium carbonate antacids: treat calcium deficiency
  • Magnesium oxide antacids: treat magnesium deficiency.

What are the differences between antacids?

The two main differences between antacids is the ingredients they contain and their formulation. The different ingredients - aluminum, calcium, magnesium, or sodium bicarbonate – all have differences in how long they take to start working, how long they keep working for, what other medications they may interact with, and who they are suitable for.

Antacids are available as liquids or tablets. Some products combine several antacid ingredients together or include alginates. Alginates are gum-like substances that float on top of the stomach contents, forming a raft that acts like a barrier. These may provide more symptom relief in people with reflux.

Some products also contain other ingredients that are not antacids or alginates, such as simethicone which helps disperse gas in people prone to bloating. Aspirin also features in some products (for example Alka-Seltzer).

Ingredients Brand name examples
aluminum hydroxide Amphojel
aluminum hydroxide + magnesium carbonate Acid gone, Gaviscon Extra Strength
aluminum hydroxide + magnesium hydroxide Alamag, Maalox
aluminum hydroxide + magnesium hydroxide + simethicone Almacone, Gelusil, Mintox Plus
calcium carbonate Calci-Chew, Titralac
calcium carbonate + magnesium hydroxide Mi-Acid Double Strength, Mylanta Supreme
calcium carbonate + magnesium hydroxide + simethicone Mylanta Tonight
calcium carbonate + simethicone Alka-Seltzer Heartburn + Gas, Gas-X with Maalox Extra Strength
magnesium hydroxide Ex-Lax Milk of Magnesia, Milk of Magnesia
magnesium oxide Phillips' Cramp-free, Uro-Mag
sodium bicarbonate Neut
sodium bicarbonate + aspirin + citric acid Alka-Seltzer Extra Strength

Are antacids safe?

When taken at the recommended dosage, for short durations of time, by people without contraindications, antacids are considered safe.

However, antacids only relieve symptoms and will not cure the underlying problem causing the symptoms. This means they may mask some serious conditions, such as gastric cancer. If you are taking antacids more than two to three times a week for longer than two weeks you should talk to your doctor. Even if your condition is diagnosed as GERD, other medications (such as H2 antagonists, proton pump inhibitors), that work by reducing or preventing the secretion of stomach acid rather than just neutralizing it, may be more appropriate.

Some antacids contain sodium bicarbonate which can affect blood pressure and circulation, particularly those with pre-existing problems. High intakes of sodium are also not recommended for people with liver or kidney disease. Anybody on a sodium-controlled or low-sodium diet or prone to high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease should talk with their doctor before taking antacids containing sodium bicarbonate.

Always speak to your doctor if you are having reflux-like symptoms which do not go away with antacid use. Some symptoms of heart disease (such as angina or a heart attack) are like those of reflux or heart burn.

Interactions may occur with some ingredients contained in antacid products if they are used with other medications. For example, calcium can affect the absorption of medicines such as bisphosphonates, tetracyclines, and ferrous sulfate (iron). Antacids may also alter the absorption or excretion of some other medicines (such as digoxin, phenytoin, and pseudoephedrine).

In 2016, the FDA issued a safety alert about antacids that contain aspirin, such as Alka-Seltzer because their use was associated with reports of serious bleeding, particularly in people also taking other medications that increased the risk of bleeding.

Antacids should not be given to children aged less than six years. They may not be safe in people with certain medical conditions, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, liver or kidney disease, or heart disease. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also talk to their pharmacist or doctor before using antacids.

What are the side effects of antacids?

The side effects of antacids directly relate to the ingredients they contain. Some combination products have side effects that cancel each other out (for example, aluminium causes constipation and magnesium causes diarrhea so products containing a combination of these two ingredients are more likely to have a neutral effect on the bowel).

Most products have few side effects when taken as directed on the label. Side effects are more prevalent when the product is overused or taken for longer than intended. Side effects associated with common antacid ingredients include (some are rare):

  • Aluminum: constipation, low blood phosphate levels, aluminium toxicity, osteomalacia
  • Calcium: nausea, vomiting, kidney stones, high blood calcium levels, alkalosis
  • Magnesium: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, high blood magnesium levels
  • Sodium bicarbonate: increased blood pressure, nausea, bloating, gas.

Antacids that are consumed at too high a dose for too long a period can also cause a condition called acid rebound. This is when the stomach produces even more acid after food and drinks have been consumed.

List drug with Antacids

Drug Name
Acid Gone
Generic name: Aluminum Hydroxide And Magnesium Carbonate
Acid Gone Extra Strength
Generic name: Aluminum Hydroxide And Magnesium Carbonate
Alka-Seltzer Cool Action Heartburn Relief
Generic name: Calcium Carbonate
Alka-Seltzer Extra Strength Heartburn Relief
Generic name: Calcium Carbonate
Almacone
Generic name: Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, And Simethicone
Aluminum hydroxide and magnesium carbonate
Generic name: Aluminum Hydroxide And Magnesium Carbonate
Aluminum hydroxide and magnesium trisilicate
Generic name: Aluminum Hydroxide And Magnesium Trisilicate
Aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and simethicone
Generic name: Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, And Simethicone
Mylanta Coat & Cool
Generic name: Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Hydroxide, And Simethicone
Mylanta Maximum Strength
Generic name: Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, And Simethicone
Mylanta Supreme
Generic name: Calcium Carbonate And Magnesium Hydroxide
Mylanta Tonight
Generic name: Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Hydroxide, And Simethicone
Calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide
Generic name: Calcium Carbonate And Magnesium Hydroxide
Calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, and simethicone
Generic name: Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Hydroxide, And Simethicone
Gaviscon
Generic name: Aluminum Hydroxide And Magnesium Trisilicate
Gaviscon Extra Strength
Generic name: Aluminum Hydroxide And Magnesium Carbonate
Gaviscon Regular Strength
Generic name: Aluminum Hydroxide And Magnesium Carbonate
Gelusil
Generic name: Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, And Simethicone
Mag-al Plus
Generic name: Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, And Simethicone
Mi-Acid
Generic name: Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, And Simethicone
Mi-Acid Double Strength
Generic name: Calcium Carbonate And Magnesium Hydroxide
Milantex
Generic name: Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, And Simethicone
Mintox
Generic name: Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, And Simethicone
Rolaids
Generic name: Calcium Carbonate And Magnesium Hydroxide
Rulox
Generic name: Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, And Simethicone
Tums Chewy Bites Ultra Strength
Generic name: Calcium Carbonate

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords