Chronic, excessive use of aluminum hydroxide may deplete the body of phosphate, causing metabolic bone disease e. Aluminum hydroxide may alter the absorption of certain drugs [including some used to treat cardiac disease or high blood pressure] so they should not be taken simultaneously. It can completely neutralize stomach acid. Nonetheless, it is not always the best choice for regular use. Another disadvantage of calcium carbonate may be the tendency for gastric acid secretion to rebound after calcium is given.
The dose should not exceed 3 g per day. It is a good idea to think of any substance you take for a therapeutic affect as a medication. Tell your doctor about it. This applies whether taking a prescription or over the counter drug, herb, or supplement.
We recommend consultation with a qualified health care professional familiar with your particular circumstances when trying any self-treatment for a chronic or persistent condition. How to Talk to Your Doctor. Peppermint flavoring — Peppermint is the most common antacid flavoring. By relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter to release gas, peppermint encourages the release of a belch after a meal, hence the popularity of after-dinner mints.
Antiflatulent — Simethicone is a surfactant, which presumably by breaking down bubbles within the gut renders gas available for absorption. Despite the lack of evidence of effectiveness, simethicone is included in some popular antacid preparations, thereby increasing their cost.
Alginic acid — Prepared from kelp seaweed , alginate acts as a physical acid barrier for the esophagus in gastroesophageal reflux. It is not an antacid. When ingested, this tasteless and apparently harmless substance floats on gastric fluid to prevent the reflux of acid and pepsin into the esophagus.
There are no satisfactory clinical trials, but these preparations have little neutralizing power and are probably of little benefit in those reflux patients who have complicating esophagitis. Most commercial antacids contain two or more components.
The most common combinations are varying concentrations of sodium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide. Some widely advertised brands, those with additional components and those containing greater concentrations of the effective ingredients, tend to cost more. There are other antacids that sacrifice efficacy in the interests of taste and acceptability. Space precludes detailed listing of all products.
However, labeling is required, and armed with the above information, consumers should be able to select the product most suitable to their needs. Most commercial antacids come with some instructions. It is important to heed the contraindications and not exceed the recommended daily dose. The need for these antacids is highly individual and regular use should only be as directed by a physician. A common recommendation is to take the antacids after meals and at bedtime.
In practice, most users learn to take the antacid when they have symptoms, e. A useful technique is to anticipate the timing of symptoms, such as after spicy foods or at bedtime, and take the antacid before. Antacids are useful to provide rapid relief of intermittent heartburn, particularly if brought on occasionally by foods or various activities.
Antacids also seem to help many of those with bloating or functional non-ulcer dyspepsia. By reducing gastric acidity raising the intragastric pH , antacids inactivate pepsin and relieve symptoms.
Over-the-counter preparations provide only temporary symptom relief. They do not prevent recurrence of symptoms or allow an injured esophagus to heal.
They should not be taken regularly as a substitute for prescription medicines — they may be hiding a more serious condition. If needed regularly for more than two weeks, consult a physician for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment. IFFGD is a nonprofit education and research organization. Our mission is to inform, assist, and support people affected by gastrointestinal disorders. Our original content is authored specifically for IFFGD readers, in response to your questions and concerns.
If you found this article helpful, please consider supporting IFFGD with a small tax-deductible donation. This information is in no way intended to replace the guidance of your doctor. All Rights Reserved. International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.
GI Disorders. Upper GI Disorders. Lower GI Disorders. Bowel incontinence Chronic constipation Chronic diarrhea Dyssynergic defecation. Other GI Disorders. Abdominal adhesions Acute Hepatic Porphyria Anal fistulas Celiac disease Clostridium difficile Congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency.
Malabsorption Opioid Induced Constipation Radiation therapy injury Scleroderma Short bowel syndrome Superior mesenteric artery syndrome. Vovulus Rare diseases. Motility Disorders. Functional GI Disorders. The Digestive System. Reality Report from Miranda A. Share this page. Once in the stomach, it absorbs water, which causes it to swell and break apart. As it breaks apart, the drug dissolves over a predictable period of time, gets absorbed into the bloodstream and moves around the body.
Some people end up chewing tablets or crushing them up and mixing them with their food, but this can sometimes cause the medicine to not work properly. In some cases, ingesting a crushed tablet can even result in death. Most importantly, doing so may result in dose dumping ; this is when the body very quickly absorbs a large amount of a drug.
One consequence of dose dumping is an overdose of the drug, which can lead to death. Some tablets also come with a special protective layer, called an enteric coating , which is designed to stop it from breaking apart in the stomach.
The coating ensures the tablet disintegrates in the small intestine instead. If you chew an enterically coated tablet, the drug will not be absorbed properly and the medicine may be ineffective. Tablets designed to be chewed have this indicated on their packaging. This is common for drugs designed for young children and certain types of tablets such as multivitamins. Some medicines are also specifically made into a chewable form, such as some aspirin tablets and certain antacids.
These are common medicines that may be taken on a regular basis, and by people known to have trouble swallowing tablets. A warning sticker may be placed on the box by the pharmacist when she dispenses the medicine, or the instructions on the back of the box will state that the medicine should not be crushed. The same rules apply for capsules and caplets.
Look for a warning on the box before you attempt to chew them or cut them open.
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