Antacids: Types, Precautions, Side Effects & More - Healthline

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Antacids

Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD — Written by Julia Haskins — Updated on April 25, 2023

Types
Precautions
Side effects
Interactions
When to call a doctor
Takeaway

Key takeaways

Antacids provide relief from excess stomach acid by neutralizing it, whereas H2 receptor blockers and PPIs reduce acid secretion.
Individuals with heart failure or kidney failure need to consult their doctor before using antacids, as they may contain high levels of sodium and electrolytes or lead to aluminum buildup.
While generally safe, antacids can cause side effects like constipation, diarrhea, allergic reactions, or increased food sensitivities, especially if misused.

Antacids work differently from other acid reducers, such as H2 receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Those drugs work by reducing or preventing the secretion of stomach acid.

Antacids can be used to treat symptoms of excess stomach acid, such as:

acid reflux, which can include regurgitation, bitter taste, persistent dry cough, pain when lying down, and trouble swallowing
heartburn, which is a burning sensation in your chest or throat caused by acid reflux
indigestion, which is pain in your upper gut that can feel like gas or bloating

Types of antacids

Antacids usually come in the following drug forms:

liquid
chewable gummy or tablet
tablet that you dissolve in water to drink

Popular antacid brands include:

Alka-Seltzer
Maalox
Mylanta
Rolaids
Tums

Precautions

Antacids are typically safe for most people. However, people with certain medical conditions should talk with their doctors before taking certain antacids that contain aluminum hydroxide and magnesium carbonate.

For example, people with heart failure may have sodium restrictions to help decrease fluid buildup. However, antacids often contain a lot of sodium. These people should ask their doctor before using antacids.

People with kidney failure may develop a buildup of aluminum after using antacids. This can lead to aluminum toxicity. People with kidney failure also tend to have problems with electrolyte balance. All antacids contain electrolytes, which could make electrolyte balance problems worse.

Talk to your child’s doctor before giving your child antacids. Children don’t typically develop symptoms of excess stomach acid, so their symptoms could be related to another condition.

Side effects of antacids

Side effects from antacids are rare. However, they can occur, even when you use them according to the directions.

Antacids can either cause constipation or have a laxative effect. Some people have had allergic reactions. Antacids might also increase the risk of developing sensitivities to certain foods.

Side effects from misuse

Many of the side effects of antacids come from not taking them as directed.

Many antacids — including Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids and Tums — contain calcium. If you take too much or take them for longer than directed, you could get an overdose of calcium. Too much calcium can cause:

nausea
vomiting
mental status changes
kidney stones

Excess calcium can also lead to alkalosis. In this condition, your body doesn’t make enough acid to function properly.

If you feel like you need to use a lot of an antacid for relief, that might be a sign of another condition. If you’ve taken an antacid according to the directions and haven’t gotten relief, talk to your doctor.

Drug interactions

Antacids can interfere with the function of other drugs. If you take other medications, check with your doctor or pharmacist before using antacids.

Some antacids, such as Alka-Seltzer, contain aspirin. The Food and Drug Administration issued a safety alert about this type of antacid in June 2016. This alert was issued because of reports of serious bleeding related to aspirin-containing antacids.

If you take another medication that increases your risk of bleeding, such as an anticoagulant or antiplatelet drug, you shouldn’t take these antacids.

Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking aspirin-containing antacids if you:

have a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding disorders
are older than 60 years old
drink three or more alcoholic drinks per day

When to call a doctor

Antacids can often relieve symptoms of excess stomach acid. However, sometimes these symptoms mean you have a more serious condition.

It’s important that you know how to recognize these conditions and how to respond to them. An upset stomach could actually be gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or a peptic ulcer.

Antacids can only soothe, not cure, some of the symptoms of these conditions. If you have severe pain that doesn’t get better after using the recommended dosage of antacids for two weeks, call your doctor.

Some heart attack symptoms can also mimic stomach pains. You may be having a heart attack if you have severe chest pain that lasts longer than two minutes with any of the following symptoms:

lightheadedness
shortness of breath
pain that radiates to your arms, shoulders, or jaw
neck or back pain
vomiting or nausea

If you think you may be experiencing a heart attack, call 911 or your local emergency services.

If you need help finding a primary care doctor, then check out our FindCare tool here.

Takeaway

If you have acid reflux or other symptoms caused by stomach acidity, get to know your OTC medications.

Antacids neutralize the acid that your stomach makes. This can make you more comfortable. On the other hand, H2 receptor blockers and PPIs can block your stomach from making too much acid. This can allow the damage in your stomach and esophagus to heal.

Ask your doctor which is better for you.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

AcidGone antacid- aluminum hydroxide and magnesium carbonate liquid. (2017). https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3d353a92-92f1-4304-8895-31d39dccd88c
Aluminumhydroxide and magnesium hydroxide. (2015). https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601013.html
FDAdrug safety communication: FDA warns about serious bleeding risk withover-the-counter antacid products containing aspirin. (2018). https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm504328.htm
Gastroesophagealreflux disease (GERD). (n.d.). https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/related-conditions/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease
KatzPO, et al. (2013). Diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. http://gi.org/guideline/diagnosis-and-managemen-of-gastroesophageal-reflux-disease
MayoClinic Staff. (2018). GERD: Treatments and drugs. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gerd/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20361959
MoayyediP, et al. (2017). ACG and CAG clinical guideline: Management of dyspepsia. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/ajg.2017.154
Pali-Schöll I, et al. (2010). Antacids and dietarysupplements with an influence on the gastric pH increase the risk for foodsensitization. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2222.2010.03468.x
Pepticulcers (stomach ulcers). (2014). https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/peptic-ulcers-stomach-ulcers/all-content
Warning signs of a heart attack. (2016). https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack

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Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD — Written by Julia Haskins — Updated on April 25, 2023

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Diagnosis

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Diet

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Causes & Risk Factors

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Prevention

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Complications

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Management

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Key takeaways

Types of antacids

Precautions

Side effects of antacids

Side effects from misuse

Drug interactions

When to call a doctor

Takeaway

How we reviewed this article:

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