Antacid (aluminum-magnesium) : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More
Why is this medication prescribed?
Antacid (aluminum-magnesium) (Aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide) are antacids used together to relieve heartburn, acid indigestion, and an upset stomach. They can be used to treat these symptoms in patients with peptic ulcer, gastritis, esophagitis, hiatal hernia, or too much acid in the stomach (gastric hyperacidity). They combine with stomach acid and neutralize it. Antacid (aluminum-magnesium) are available without a prescription.
This medicine is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should this medicine be used?
Antacid (aluminum-magnesium) (Aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide) comes as a chewable tablet and liquid to take by mouth. Chew the tablets well; do not swallow them whole. Drink a full glass of water after taking the tablets. Shake the oral liquid well before each use to mix the medicine evenly. The liquid can be mixed with water or milk.
Follow the directions on the package label or your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any parts you do not understand. Take Antacid (aluminum-magnesium) exactly as directed. Do not take more or less, or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Do not take antacids for more than 1 to 2 weeks, unless prescribed by your doctor.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking Antacid (aluminum-magnesium),
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Antacid (aluminum-magnesium) (aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide) antacids, or any other medications.
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially aspirin, cinoxacin (Cinobac), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), digoxin (Lanoxin), diazepam (Valium), enoxacin (Penetrex), ferrous sulfate (iron), fluconazole (Diflucan), indomethacin, isoniazid (INH), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), nalidixic acid (NegGram), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxinycinloxacin) , Sumycin) and vitamins. If your doctor tells you to take antacids while taking these medications, do not take them within 2 hours of taking an antacid.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking Antacid (aluminum-magnesium) antacids, call your doctor.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
If you are taking this medication for an ulcer, follow the diet prescribed by your doctor carefully.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
If you are taking scheduled doses of Antacid (aluminum-magnesium), take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for the one you forgot.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Side effects from Antacid (aluminum-magnesium) are not common. To avoid the chalky taste, take with water or milk. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- diarrhea
- constipation
- loss of appetite
- unusual tiredness
- muscle weakness
What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Keep this medicine in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
Unnecessary medications must be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and others cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medicine down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medications is through a drug take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage / recycling department to find out about take-back programs in your community. Check out the FDA drug safe disposal website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
It is important to keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children, since many containers (such as those containing weekly pills and those for eye drops, creams, patches and inhalers) are not child-resistant and small children can easily open them. To protect young children from poisoning, always close the safety caps and immediately place the medicine in a safe place, one that is upright and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org
What other information should I know?
If you are taking this medicine under the care of a doctor, keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else take your medicine.
It is important that you keep a written list of all prescription and over-the-counter (over-the-counter) medications you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should take this list with you every time you visit a doctor or if you go into hospital. It is also important information to take with you in case of emergencies.
Brand Names
- Alamag®
- Alumina and Magnesia®
- Antacid (aluminum-magnesium)®
- Antacid M®
- Antacid Suspension®
- Gen-Alox®
- Kudrox®
- M.A.H.®
- Maalox HRF®
- Maalox T.C.®
- Magagel®
- Magnalox®
- Maldroxal®
- Mylanta® Ultimate
- Ri-Mox®
- Rulox®
Disclaimer: We have made every effort to ensure that all information is factually accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a licensed health care professional’s choice of knowledge and expertise. You should always consult your doctor or other health care professional before taking any medication. The information given here is subject to change and it has not been used to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or adverse effects. The lack of warning or other information for any drug does not indicate that the combination of medicine or medication is safe, effective or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.