| Antacids are used to neutralize the extra acid | | | | condition called phenylketonuria, we shouldn’t take a |
| produced in our stomach. They can provide both fast | | | | medicine that contains phenylalanine. Similarly we |
| and short-term relief. Many OTC drugs combine | | | | should not take bismuth subsalicylate if we ever had |
| different antacids. H2 blockers reduce the amount of | | | | an allergy to aspirin or any other product that contains |
| acid our stomach makes. While they don’t relieve | | | | salicylates. Also we should not give bismuth |
| symptoms right away, H2 blockers relieve symptoms | | | | subsalicylate to children who may have the flu or |
| for a longer period of time than antacids. Some | | | | chickenpox because they will have a higher risk of |
| products combine antacids and an H2 blocker. These | | | | Reye’s syndrome. |
| combination medicines can relieve symptoms right | | | | Other ingredient-related warnings concern our diet |
| away and the relief can last for many hours. | | | | while we are taking an antacid or acid reducer. For |
| Bismuth subsalicylate works by balancing the way fluid | | | | example, unless our doctor tells us it’s OK, we |
| moves through our bowels. It also binds toxins | | | | should not use products that contain sodium |
| (poisons) from bacteria so that they are not harmful | | | | bicarbonate or aluminum hydroxide and magnesium |
| and helps kill germs. It’s also used as a medicine to | | | | carbonate if we’re on a low-salt diet. We |
| treat nausea and vomiting and as an Antidiarrheal | | | | shouldn’t take magnesium hydroxide if we’re |
| (medicine to treat diarrhea). Proton pump inhibitors stop | | | | following a magnesium-restricted diet. If someone has |
| our body’s production of acid. This type of drug | | | | kidney disease, he/she shouldn’t use products |
| requires 1 to 4 days to work. Only people who have | | | | containing calcium carbonate or aluminum hydroxide |
| heartburn often—at least 2 days a week—should | | | | and magnesium carbonate without doctor’s |
| use this drug. To find out which product is right for you, | | | | recommendation. |
| talk to your doctor. | | | | If certain drugs are taken at the same time, they can |
| | | | | react with each other and change the way our body |
| OTC antacids and acid reducers can help relieve pain | | | | processes them. This is called a drug interaction. When |
| or an uncomfortable feeling in the upper middle part of | | | | this happens, the risk of side effects increases. We |
| your stomach). Heartburn is also called acid reflux | | | | should not use more than one antacid or acid reducer |
| disease or gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD). | | | | at a time and should avoid mixing acid reducers and |
| OTC antacids and acid reducers may also be used as | | | | antacids without first talking to our doctor. If we take |
| part of a plan to treat ulcers. For treating ulcers, these | | | | any prescription drugs and we’re thinking about |
| medicines may be used together and/or combined | | | | taking an antacid, H2 blocker or proton pump inhibitor, |
| with antibiotics (drugs that kill bacteria) prescribed by | | | | we must talk to our doctors first. These drugs can |
| your doctor. If one is not getting enough calcium from | | | | cause problems with other medicines we take. |
| his/her diet, his/her doctor might suggest that he/she | | | | Some drugs may be of special concern for people |
| take additional calcium to help treat or prevent | | | | who are taking H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors |
| calcium-deficiency related problems. Antacids that | | | | and bismuth subsalicylate may affect some drugs so |
| contain calcium carbonate can be used with vitamin- D | | | | that they don’t work as well. It also may cause side |
| to supplement the calcium in our diet. | | | | effects if combined with other drugs. If we take any of |
| Heartburn medicines do have some common side | | | | these drugs: Blood-thinning drugs, Drugs to treat gout, |
| effects. Antacids and acid reducers usually cause only | | | | Drugs to treat arthritis, and Drugs for diabetes, we |
| minor side effects that go away on their own. These | | | | must talk to our doctor before taking bismuth |
| may include headaches, nausea, constipation or | | | | subsalicylate. We should also, check with our doctor or |
| diarrhea. Bismuth subsalicylate can cause our tongue | | | | pharmacist before taking bismuth subsalicylate if we |
| or stool to turn dark. This is a short-term side effect. If | | | | take analgesics, cold products or some prescription |
| side effects make it hard for us to take medicine for | | | | drugs. These medicines may contain aspirin, which is a |
| heartburn, we should talk to our family doctor who | | | | salicylate, or they may contain some other type of |
| may suggest a different drug or have ideas about | | | | salicylate. Because bismuth subsalicylate contains |
| how to make the side effects less of a problem. | | | | salicylate, we may take more salicylate than we intend |
| One must not take these drugs if he/she has an | | | | if we take more than one of these products. We |
| allergy to any of the ingredients. Phenylalanine is an | | | | should be sure to check that we’re not taking two |
| example of an ingredient in some antacids that can | | | | medicines that contain the same ingredient. |
| cause a problem for certain people. If we have a | | | | |