Antacids : Before Using

Antacids - Oral

Antacids *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects

Before Using

If you are taking this drug without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For antacids, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your health care professional if you have ever had any unusual or allergy to aluminum-, calcium-, magnesium-, simethicone-, or sodium bicarbonate-containing medication. Always tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Diet Make certain your health care professional knows if you are on a low-sodium diet. Some antacids contain large amounts of sodium.

Pregnancy care

Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or pets. However, there have been reports of antacids causing side effects in babies whose mothers took antacids for a long time, especially in high doses during pregnancy. Always sodium-containing medication must be avoided if you tend to retain - keep body water.

Breast-feeding problem

Some aluminum-, calcium-, or magnesium-containing antacids may pass into breast milk. However, these medication have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Use for Children

Antacids must not be given to young children - under 6 years of age unless ordered by their family doctor. Since children can't usually describe their symptoms very well, a family doctor must first check the child. The child may have a condition that needs other treat. If so, antacids will not help and may even cause unwanted effects or make the condition worse. In addition, aluminum- or magnesium-containing medication must not be given to premature or very young children because they may cause serious side effects, especially when given to children who have kidney disease or who are dehydrated.

Elderly care

Aluminum-containing antacids must not be using by elderly people with bone problems or with Alzheimer's disease. The aluminum may cause their condition to get worse.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking antacids, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Cellulose sodium phosphate - Calcibind Calcium-containing antacids may decrease the effects of cellulose sodium phosphate; use with magnesium-containing antacids may prevent either drug from help you; antacids must not be taken within 1 hour of cellulose sodium phosphate

Fluoroquinolones - drug for infection Antacids may decrease the side effects of medication

Isoniazid taken by mouth - INH Aluminum-containing antacids may decrease the effects of isoniazid; isoniazid must be taken at least 1 hour before or after the antacid

Ketoconazole - Nizoral
Methenamine - Mandelamine Antacids may decrease the effects of ketoconazole or methenamine; these medication must be taken 3 hours before the antacid

Mecamylamine - Inversine Antacids may increase the effects and possibly the side effects of mecamylamine

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate resin - SPSR - Kayexalate This drug may decrease the effects of antacids

Tetracyclines - drug for infection taken by mouth Use with antacids may decrease the effects of both medication; antacids must not be taken within 3 to 4 hours of tetracyclines

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of antacids. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Alzheimer's disease - for aluminum-containing antacids only
Appendicitis - or signs of
Bone fractures
Colitis
Constipation - severe and continuing
Hemorrhoids
Intestinal blockage
Intestinal or rectal bleeding Antacids may make these conditions worse

Colostomy
Ileostomy
Inflamed bowel Use of antacids may cause the body to retain - keep water and electrolytes such as sodium andpotassium

Diarrhea - continuing Aluminum-containing antacids may cause the body to lose too much phosphorus; magnesium-containing antacids may make diarrhea worse

Edema - swelling of feet or lower legs
Heart disease
Liver disease
Toxemia of pregnancy Use of sodium-containing antacids may cause the body to retain - keep water

Kidney disease Antacids may cause higher blood levels of aluminum, calcium, or magnesium, which may increase the risk of serious side effects

Sarcoidosis Use of calcium-containing antacids may cause kidney problems or too much calcium in the blood

Underactive parathyroid glands Use with calcium-containing antacids may cause too much calcium in the blood