A problem that many of us have is this burning sensation in the stomach, burning sensation in the chest, or as we call it, "gastritis" or "gas". Only those who know know the pain that comes with waking up at night with a burning sensation in the chest after eating a very spicy meal. So, at times like these, many of us quickly grab a pill from a pharmacy and take it. But do we really know exactly what this medicine is? Today, we will talk about how to use it, what it can do, and what to be careful about when taking it.
What is this medicine? Simply put...
This medicine you are using contains two ingredients called `Aluminum Hydroxide` and `Magnesium Carbonate`. These can be found in the market under different names like `Gaviscon`. These belong to the class of medicines called `Antacids`.
Simply put, this medicine reduces the acidity in our stomach. The cause of many discomforts such as heartburn, chest pain, and sore throat is the production of excess stomach acid. So this pill neutralizes that acid and gives us quick relief. Also, some of these medicines create a protective layer of foam on top of the stomach, preventing stomach acid from coming back up into the throat (reflux).
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Although this is a medication that can usually be purchased at a pharmacy, there are some conditions that you should tell your doctor about before using it, as these may not be suitable for you or may require caution when used with this medication.
- Kidney disease: This is very important if you have any kidney problems. This is because the magnesium and aluminum in this medicine are excreted from the body through the kidneys. If the kidneys are not functioning properly, these can accumulate in the body and cause side effects.
- Intestinal diseases: Tell your doctor if you have frequent constipation or diarrhea, or if you have a condition such as intestinal obstruction.
- Salt-controlled diet: Some people are on a salt (sodium) controlled diet for reasons such as high blood pressure. Some of these antacids may contain sodium. So it is important to be aware of that as well.
- Other diseases: If you have conditions such as liver disease or stomach bleeding.
- If you are pregnant or expecting a baby: It is imperative to seek medical advice before taking any medication during these times.
- If you are a mother who is breastfeeding.
- If you have allergies to this medicine or other foods or dyes.
Don't hide this information from the doctor. It's very important for your safety.
This is how to use the medicine correctly:
To get the most out of this medication, it is very important to use it correctly. A mistake that many people make is swallowing the pill all at once with water.
1. Chew well: This type of pill needs to be chewed well . When you put it in your mouth and chew it, you will feel a foam forming in your mouth. You need to chew well until that foam forms.
2. Do not swallow or suck: Do not swallow the tablet directly or suck it like chewing gum. Doing so will prevent the protective foam layer I mentioned earlier from forming.
3. Drink a glass of water: After chewing and swallowing the pill thoroughly, drink a glass of water.
4. Best time to take: These are usually taken after main meals and before going to bed at night. However, if your doctor advises otherwise, do so.
5. Stay upright: If possible, stay upright (sitting or standing) for an hour or two after taking the medicine. Do not lie down. This will help prevent stomach acid from coming back up into your throat.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, do not panic. Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
This is something that many people don't know, but it is very important. `Antacids` are a type of medicine that can interfere with the absorption of many other medicines by the body. Therefore, if you are taking other medicines, do not take this `Antacid` at the same time as that medicine. Take the `Antacid` 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking the other medicine .
The table below lists some of the medications that may interact with this medicine. This is not a complete list. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies) .
| Drug category/name | Examples |
|---|---|
| Antibiotics | Some types may have reduced performance. |
| Antifungal | ``Itraconazole'', ``Ketoconazole'' |
| Osteoporosis medications | `Alendronate`, `Risedronate` |
| Thyroid hormones | `Levothyroxine` |
| Other | Gabapentin, Phenytoin, Rosuvastatin, Sotalol, Vitamin D |
Side effects and things to watch out for
When using this medicine, some side effects may occur. Some are normal, but some require immediate medical attention.
| Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Increased magnesium levels in the body | Confusion, excessive sleepiness, flushing, sweating, muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, and difficulty breathing (these often occur in kidney patients). |
| Things that are usually not dangerous, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Constipation | This can be caused by the aluminum in the medicine. Drinking several glasses of water a day can help reduce this. |
| Diarrhea | It may be caused by the magnesium contained in the medicine. |
A few other important things...
- If symptoms persist: If your symptoms do not improve or worsen despite using this medicine, be sure to see a doctor.
- Do not use for more than 2 weeks: Do not use this medicine for self-treatment for more than 2 weeks at a time without medical advice. Your symptoms may be caused by something more serious.
- Warning signs: If your stools are black, tarry , bloody, or you feel extremely tired, it could be a sign of stomach bleeding. See a doctor immediately.
Take-Home Message
- Before using this medicine, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and all other medications you are taking.
- This is a chewable tablet. Chew it well, let it foam in your mouth, and then swallow. After swallowing, drink a glass of water.
- If you are taking other medications, take this medicine 2 hours before or after them.
- Do not use this medicine for more than two weeks at a time without medical advice.
- If you notice symptoms such as black stools, extreme fatigue, or severe allergies, see a doctor immediately.
- Store the medicine at room temperature, out of the reach of children.
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