Examples
|
| aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide | Maalox, Mylanta |
| aluminum hydroxide and magnesium carbonate | Gaviscon |
| calcium carbonate | Rolaids, Tums |
Antacids are available without a prescription in liquid, chewable
tablet, chewing gum, and dissolving tablet forms to be taken by mouth.
How It Works
Antacids make stomach juices less acidic. Less acid in your stomach
can make you feel better and reduce your symptoms.
Why It Is Used
- Because acid reducers (H2 blockers and PPIs) do
not start to work right away, antacids may be used to give relief of ulcer
symptoms during the first few days after a person begins taking an acid
reducer. The antacid may be used until the acid reducer is able to control the
symptoms.
- Antacids may sometimes be used for a longer period of
time (6 to 8 weeks) to help heal an ulcer when the ulcer is not caused by a
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection or by NSAIDs.
How Well It Works
Antacids do not work as well as H2 blockers and PPIs to help ulcers
heal. But they can help with ulcer symptoms, and in some cases they may help
small ulcers heal.
Antacids may help with the symptoms of some small ulcers but now
ulcers caused by
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)
can be cured with antibiotics and there are medicines that work better than
antacids for ulcers that are not caused by an infection.
Side Effects
The active ingredients in antacids vary, with the following
cautions for each:
- Calcium carbonate (such as Rolaids or Tums) can cause
constipation in some people. In rare cases, it can stimulate
acid rebound. Acid rebound causes the stomach to
produce even more acid, making heartburn
worse.
- Magnesium-containing antacids (such as Maalox, Gaviscon, or
Mylanta) can cause diarrhea. If used too often by people who have kidney
problems, these antacids can lead to too much magnesium in the
blood.
- Aluminum-containing antacids (such as Maalox, Gaviscon, or
Mylanta) can cause constipation. If used too often by people with chronic
kidney failure, these antacids can lead to too much aluminum in the
blood.
Some antacid preparations (such as Maalox, Gaviscon, or Mylanta)
combine active ingredients to balance side effects. For example, antacids may
contain both magnesium and aluminum to prevent diarrhea and
constipation.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference
is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
While antacids often are able to reduce the symptoms of an ulcer,
acid reducers are more effective and provide symptom relief for a longer period
of time. An antacid taken at bedtime may not control symptoms throughout the
night. You may still be awakened at night with pain from an ulcer.
Antacids and acid reducers should not be taken within 2 hours of
each another, because the antacid will slow down the effect of the acid
reducers.
Antacids that contain calcium carbonate (such as Rolaids or Tums)
may help boost calcium intake, an important benefit for women concerned about
developing osteoporosis.
Some antacids may affect how certain antibiotics, digoxin
(Lanoxin), and other medicines work. Tell your doctor about all the other
medicines you are taking.
If you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor or pharmacist
before choosing an antacid. Some antacids have a high salt (sodium)
content.
Antacids that contain calcium carbonate (such as Tums) are safe to
take during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor before you use
antacids.
Antacid therapy is usually less expensive than other
treatments.
Liquid antacids may relieve symptoms faster than other forms of
antacids.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology |
|---|
| Last Revised | January 28, 2010 |
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