PLEASE REFER TO ANY HEALTH WARNINGS BELOW
ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR TO DETERMINE WHETHER THIS MEDICINE IS SAFE FOR YOU. IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST SEE YOUR DOCTOR.
ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS FOR USE
How to choose the right Antacid for reflux and indigestion
Antacids are a group of drugs that have been on the market for a long time in Australia and overseas. They are included in gastrointestinal drugs and used for symptomatic relief of dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and GORD.
Choosing the right antacid for you will depend on a number of other considerations including whether or not you have any other medical conditions, allergies or take other medications including vitamins and health supplements. Always seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medications.
There are two main types of Antacids available for use in Australia and they include:
* Aluminium Hydroxide (Gastrointestinal Use)
* Combination Antacids
How do Antacids in Australia Work?
Mode of Action: Antacids neutralise hydrochloric acid secreted by gastric parietal cells.
There are a few precautions that
should be considered before taking any Antacids for reflux or indigestion. Remember
to always see your doctor if symptoms persist. There may be other underlying
health conditions that need addressing.
ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE.
Precautions:
Constipation may be exacerbated by
antacids containing aluminium and calcium. Alternative antacids may be more
suitable if you suffer from constipation. Speak to your doctor or Pharmacist
before taking any medication and for any further questions you may have.
Renal or Kidney Impairment – Avoid use if Creatinine Clearance falls below 10 mL/minute. Use antacids containing aluminium, calcium and/or magnesium with caution in renal impairment due to risk of accumulation and toxicity; consider monitoring calcium, aluminium and/or magnesium concentrations especially when regular large doses are used. Avoid sodium-containing antacids in chronic renal failure; may increase fluid retention.
Hepatic or Liver Impairment – Avoid antacids containing sodium in cirrhosis; may increase fluid retention.
Phenylketonuria - Gaviscon Chewable tablets contain aspartame.
Heart failure, oedema - avoid antacids containing sodium; may increase fluid retention.
Hypercalcaemia, hypercalciuria, nephrolithiasis - antacids containing calcium are contraindicated.
Pregnancy - Safe to use in usual antacid doses.
Important Antacid Counselling Information
Take between meals or at bedtime when symptoms occur or you expect they might occur.
Tablets should be chewed or sucked before swallowing for the best effect.
Antacids can reduce the effect of a number of other medicines taken by mouth. The best way to avoid a problem is to separate taking antacids and other medicines by at least 2 hours.
Antacid Practice Points
- The optimum antacid effect is achieved if taken 1–3 hours after meals
- Liquid antacid products are more effective, but less convenient, than solid products
Aluminium Hydroxide Based Antacids in Australia
List of Aluminium
Hydroxide Based Antacid Products Available in Australia:
Alu-Tab a 600 mg Tablet (scored),
which comes in a pack of 100 Antacid Tablets.
Potential Adverse Effects from Aluminium Hydroxide Based Antacids:
Common (>1%)
| Constipation
|
Infrequent (0.1–1%)
| Hypophosphataemia
|
Rare (<0.1%)
| Intestinal obstruction, osteomalacia, proximal myopathy, encephalopathy, anaemia |
Potential Adverse Effects from Magnesium and Calcium in Combination Antacids:
Common (>1%)
| belching Calcium: flatulence, abdominal distension, constipation Magnesium: diarrhoea |
Infrequent (0.1–1%)
| Calcium: hypercalcaemia, alkalosis, hypophosphataemia
|
Rare (<0.1%)
| Calcium: renal calculi Magnesium: hypermagnesaemia
|
Combination Antacids
List of Combination Antacid Products in
Australia:
Aluminium and magnesium salts Antacids
- Mylanta Original tab, aluminium hydroxide 200 mg, magnesium hydroxide 200 mg, simethicone 20 mg (chewable), 20, 50, 100, Mylanta Original
- Mylanta Double Strength tab, aluminium hydroxide 400 mg, magnesium hydroxide 400 mg, simethicone 40 mg (chewable), 24, 48, 100, Mylanta Double Strength
- Mylanta Original oral liquid, aluminium hydroxide 40 mg/mL, magnesium hydroxide 40 mg/mL, simethicone 4 mg/mL, 500 mL, 750 mL, Mylanta Original
- Gastrogel oral liquid, aluminium hydroxide 50 mg/mL, magnesium hydroxide 24 mg/mL, magnesium trisilicate 24 mg/mL, 150 mL, 500 mL, Gastrogel
- Mylanta Double Strength oral liquid, aluminium hydroxide 80 mg/mL, magnesium hydroxide 80 mg/mL, simethicone 6 mg/mL, 500 mL, Mylanta Double Strength
Aluminium, calcium, magnesium and sodium salts Antacids
- Mylanta Heartburn Relief oral liquid, aluminium hydroxide 20 mg/mL, calcium carbonate 25 mg/mL, magnesium hydroxide 20 mg/mL, sodium bicarbonate 25 mg/mL, alginic acid 15.5 mg/mL, 500 mL, Mylanta Heartburn Relief
Calcium and magnesium salts Antacids
- Rennie Spearmint Flavour tab, calcium carbonate 680 mg, magnesium carbonate
80 mg (chewable), 24, 48, 96, Rennie
Spearmint Flavour
Calcium and sodium salts Antacids
- Gaviscon Chewable tab, calcium carbonate 80 mg, sodium bicarbonate 133.5 mg, sodium alginate 250 mg (chewable), 24, 48, Gaviscon Chewable
- Gaviscon Liquid oral liquid, calcium carbonate 16 mg/mL, sodium
bicarbonate 26.7 mg/mL, sodium alginate 50 mg/mL,
200 mL, 500 mL, Gaviscon Liquid
Magnesium and sodium salts Antacids
- Salvital oral liquid, magnesium sulfate
19 mg/g, sodium bicarbonate 137 mg/g (powder),
375 g
Dose: As per product packaging. Use only as directed. Consult your doctor or healthcare professional before taking any medications. Up to a maximum of 1 gram of elemental calcium daily.
Alternative Antacids to Consider if you suffer from Constipation
Product Name
Salvital
Why?
This antacid product does not contain aluminium or calcium salts which may potentiate constipation.
Alternative Antacids to Consider if you suffer from Diarrhoea
Product Name
Salvital, Gaviscon Liquid, Gaviscon Chewable,
Why?
Diarrhoea may be exacerbated by the laxative effect of antacids containing magnesium. These antacids do not contain magnesium.
References:
Australian Medicines Handbook: Gastrointestinal Drugs, Drugs for Dyspepsia, Reflux, and Peptic Ulcer disease. Antacids Australian Medicines Handbook Pty Ltd – July 2020
1 Comment(s)
This is a really helpful and imformative post. Just what I needed, thank you
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