Side effects
Maalox is generally well tolerated, but like any drug, it may produce adverse reactions. Antacids usually cause less serious side effects, especially if they are used infrequently. These side effects are typically relieved by lowering the dose or frequency. Serious side effects, however, should be reported immediately to the physician.
Occasionally, antacids that contain aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide can produce one of the following side effects:
You should contact your doctor if these symptoms occur frequently or if they get worse. The more serious side effects that may occur with Maalox use include:
Warnings
Drug Interactions
Antacids are known to affect the action of certain medications. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining antacids with the following:
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• Do not take other medicines within 1 hour of this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
• Abnormal taste. This is usually reversible.
• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Severe nausea or vomiting.
• Severe constipation.
• Unusual bruising or bleeding.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
Aluminum Hydroxide is an antacid that works directly in the stomach to reduce the acidity of the refluxed liquid that can irritate the esophagus. Antacids help relieve heartburn, acid indigestion, and stomach upset. They may also be recommended to relieve the discomfort that occurs with ulcers.
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• This medicine does not mix well with some medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare provider.
• If you have an allergy to aluminum or any other part of this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Antacids reduce stomach acid.
• Aluminum binds phosphate in the gastrointestinal tract and removes it.
• Take 1 to 3 hours after meals as antacid.
• A liquid (suspension) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Shake well before use.
• Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.
• Drink plenty of noncaffeine-containing liquid unless told to drink less liquid by healthcare provider.
• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
• Many times this medicine is taken on an as needed basis.
• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• Follow up with healthcare provider.
• Store at room temperature.
• Protect capsules from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
Created: 2005-04-07 16:16:47.0
Modified: 2010-03-09 08:18:42.0
Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.
• This medicine is used to lower high phosphate levels.
• This medicine is used to treat heartburn and indigestion.
• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
