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Antacids are over-the-counter (OTC) medicines that assist neutralize abdomen acid.
They work otherwise from different acid reducers similar to H2 receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). These medication work by lowering or stopping the secretion of abdomen acid.
Antacids can be utilized to deal with signs of extra abdomen acid, similar to:
Kinds of antacids
Antacids often come within the following drug types:
Fashionable antacid manufacturers embrace:
Precautions
Antacids are usually protected for most individuals. Nevertheless, folks with sure medical circumstances ought to discuss with their docs earlier than taking sure antacids that comprise aluminum hydroxide and magnesium carbonate.
For instance, folks with coronary heart failure might have sodium restrictions to assist lower fluid buildup. Nevertheless, antacids typically comprise lots of sodium. These folks ought to ask their physician earlier than utilizing antacids.
Folks with kidney failure might develop a buildup of aluminum after utilizing antacids. This will result in aluminum toxicity. Folks with kidney failure additionally are likely to have issues with electrolyte stability. All antacids comprise electrolytes, which may make electrolyte stability issues worse.
Discuss to your youngster’s physician earlier than giving your youngster antacids. Kids don’t usually develop signs of extra abdomen acid, so their signs may very well be associated to a different situation.
Uncomfortable side effects of antacids
Uncomfortable side effects from antacids are uncommon. Nevertheless, they will happen, even whenever you use them in keeping with the instructions.
Antacids can both trigger constipation or have a laxative impact. Some folks have had allergic reactions. Antacids may also enhance the danger of growing sensitivities to sure meals.
Uncomfortable side effects from misuse
Lots of the unwanted side effects of antacids come from not taking them as directed.
Many antacids — together with Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids and Tums — comprise calcium. In the event you take an excessive amount of or take them for longer than directed, you could possibly get an overdose of calcium. An excessive amount of calcium could cause:
Extra calcium can even result in alkalosis. On this situation, your physique doesn’t make sufficient acid to operate correctly.
In the event you really feel like it is advisable use lots of an antacid for reduction, that could be an indication of one other situation. In the event you’ve taken an antacid in keeping with the instructions and haven’t gotten reduction, discuss to your physician.
Drug interactions
Antacids can intervene with the operate of different medication. In the event you take different medicines, test together with your physician or pharmacist earlier than utilizing antacids.
Some antacids, similar to Alka-Seltzer, comprise aspirin. The Meals and Drug Administration issued a security alert about one of these antacid in June 2016. This alert was issued due to experiences of great bleeding associated to aspirin-containing antacids.
In the event you take one other treatment that will increase your danger of bleeding, similar to an anticoagulant or antiplatelet drug, you shouldn’t take these antacids.
Remember to discuss to your physician earlier than taking aspirin-containing antacids when you:
When to name a health care provider – “calcium antacid”
Antacids can typically relieve signs of extra abdomen acid. Nevertheless, typically these signs imply you have got a extra severe situation.
It’s essential that you understand how to acknowledge these circumstances and the way to reply to them. An upset abdomen may really be gastroesophageal reflux illness (GERD) or a peptic ulcer.
Antacids can solely soothe, not remedy, among the signs of those circumstances. In case you have extreme ache that doesn’t get higher after utilizing the beneficial dosage of antacids for 2 weeks, name your physician.
Some coronary heart assault signs can even mimic abdomen pains. Chances are you’ll be having a coronary heart assault when you’ve got extreme chest ache that lasts longer than two minutes with any of the next signs:
In the event you assume you could be experiencing a coronary heart assault, name 911 or your native emergency companies.
Takeaway
In case you have acid reflux disease or different signs brought on by abdomen acidity, get to know your OTC medicines.
Antacids neutralize the acid that your abdomen makes. This will make you extra comfy. Then again, H2 receptor blockers and PPIs can block your abdomen from making an excessive amount of acid. This will enable the harm in your abdomen and esophagus to heal.
Ask your physician which is best for you.