Types of antacids Antacids are neutralizing, absorbing agents taken to relieve heartburn or indigestion caused by excess stomach acid. Acid reducers Acid reducers help to relieve heartburn by decreasing the amount of acid produced by the stomach. Consult with your gastroenterologist before taking a proton pump inhibitor if: You are elderly or have a compromised immune system.
These medicines may increase your risk for pneumonia. You are a postmenopausal woman. Proton pump inhibitors reduce calcium absorption and may increase your risk for osteoporosis.
You have been treated for a Clostridium difficile infection. Proton pump inhibitors may put you at an increased risk for a return of the infection. We will work with you to develop a treatment plan based on your individual needs and goals. Learn more about Telehealth. From the blog See more posts. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children.
Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture not in the bathroom. Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet.
Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily.
To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements.
You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. It's best to take antacids with food or soon after eating because this is when you're most likely to get indigestion or heartburn.
Antacids can affect how well other medicines work, so do not take other medicines within 2 to 4 hours of taking an antacid. You can drink alcohol while taking antacids, but alcohol can irritate your stomach and make your symptoms worse.
Antacids do not usually have many side effects if they're only taken occasionally and at the recommended dose. Speak to a pharmacist or a GP if side effects do not improve or are troublesome.
You may need to switch to another medicine. Antacids are safe for most people to take, but they're not suitable for everyone. Page last reviewed: 13 November Next review due: 13 November Many of the common antacids also include alginates. Most alginates work by forming a gel which floats on top of the stomach contents. The gel acts as a protective barrier, preventing stomach acid from irritating the oesophagus.
Antacids are often taken to relieve symptoms or when symptoms are expected. Your doctor or pharmacist will advise you of the dose needed and how often you should take it. Read the leaflet that comes with your particular brand for further information. Generally antacids provide quick relief for problems such as heartburn caused by reflux.
However, the relief of symptoms may only be short-lived. Your doctor may prescribe an antacid to have on standby so that you only take it to relieve your symptoms when they occur, rather than every day.
A full list of people who should not take antacids is included with the information leaflet that comes in the medicine packet. If you are prescribed or buy an antacid, read this to be sure you are safe to take it.
Most people who take an antacid do not have any side-effects. However, side-effects occur in a small number of users. The most common are diarrhoea, constipation and belching.
Magnesium-containing antacids tend to be laxative whereas aluminium-containing antacids tend to be constipating. Antacids containing both magnesium and aluminium may balance out these effects and so minimise any possible side-effects of diarrhoea or constipation. For a full list of all the side-effects and possible interactions associated with your medicine, consult the leaflet that comes with your medication. If you are taking antacids, you should avoid taking them at the same time as you take other medication.
This is because antacids can affect how well other medication is absorbed. If you think you have had a side-effect to one of your medicines you can report this on the Yellow Card Scheme. You can do this online at www. The Yellow Card Scheme is used to make pharmacists, doctors and nurses aware of any new side-effects that medicines or any other healthcare products may have caused.
If you wish to report a side-effect, you will need to provide basic information about:.
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