Aluminium hydroxide + Magnesium hydroxide
Also sold as: Maalox, Mylanta
Usual adult dose
Usual adult dose: 10 to 20 ml of suspension or 1 to 2 chewable tablets, 1 to 3 hours after meals and at bedtime, up to 4 times a day. Do not use regularly for more than 2 weeks without a doctor.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- constipation (aluminium) or diarrhoea (magnesium)
- chalky taste
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- muscle weakness or confusion in kidney disease (high magnesium or aluminium)
- low phosphate with long heavy use
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Severe kidney disease
- Take other medicines at least 2 hours apart from the antacid
- Warning signs such as weight loss, vomiting blood or black stools — see a doctor
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious2 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Ciprofloxacin
Antacids greatly reduce absorption of ciprofloxacin; take ciprofloxacin 2 hours before or 6 hours after.
- Doxycycline
Antacids bind doxycycline and reduce its absorption; take them at least 2 to 3 hours apart.
Moderate11 medicinesTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Alendronic acid
Antacids block absorption of alendronic acid; wait at least 30 minutes after the tablet.
- Chloroquine
Antacids reduce absorption; leave at least 4 hours between them.
- Ferrous sulfate
Antacids reduce iron absorption; take them at least 2 hours apart.
- Fexofenadine
Antacids reduce absorption of fexofenadine; take them at least 2 hours apart.
Minor5 medicinesUsually not a problem, but tell your doctor.
- Bisacodyl
Antacids can dissolve the tablet coating early and cause stomach irritation; take them 1 hour apart.
- Ethambutol
Antacids can reduce absorption; leave a few hours between them.
- Gabapentin
Antacids reduce gabapentin absorption; take gabapentin 2 hours after the antacid.
- Isoniazid
Antacids reduce absorption; take isoniazid at least 1 hour before them.