Do you also often experience stomach pain, heartburn, indigestion, and a feeling of fullness in your stomach? For this condition, which we call "gastritis," a doctor may have given you a white, thick syrup to drink. Today we are talking about aluminum hydroxide, a medicine that is commonly prescribed for such cases. It is very important to know about this and use it correctly.
What is this aluminum hydroxide?
Simply put, this is a type of medicine called antacid . Our stomach contains a type of acid that helps digest food. Sometimes, when the amount of this acid increases too much, we experience the aforementioned stomach pain, heartburn, and indigestion.
So what this medicine does is neutralize the excess acid in the stomach, which means it reduces its acidity and gives you relief. This is usually recommended by doctors for temporary discomfort.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before a doctor prescribes this medication for you, it is extremely important to inform him about your other health conditions, as using this medication with some medical conditions can be risky.
The most important thing is to discuss your entire health history with your doctor without hiding anything.
See the table below. If you have a condition like this, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
| Health condition or opportunity | Why should you tell the doctor? |
|---|---|
| Kidney disease | When the kidneys are not working properly, it can be difficult to remove aluminum from the body. |
| Constipation | This medicine may make constipation worse. |
| Liver disease | It is important to be aware of your liver condition before using any medication. |
| Sodium restricted diet | Some antacids may contain sodium. |
| Stomach bleeding or blockage | Symptoms may be hidden and the disease may become serious. |
| Being pregnant or trying to get pregnant | Medical advice is essential before taking any medication during pregnancy. |
| Being a breastfeeding mother | The doctor must decide whether the medicine will pass to the baby through breast milk or not. |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
To get the most out of a medicine, you need to use it correctly.
- Shake well: Shake the bottle well before each use, as solid particles may settle to the bottom.
- Correct measurement: Use only the plastic cup or spoon provided to measure the medicine. Do not use household teaspoons or tablespoons. They are not accurate.
- When to take: This medicine is usually recommended after meals and before going to bed at night. However, take it exactly as your doctor tells you.
- Drink water: It is a good idea to drink a glass of water after taking the medicine.
- If given to children: If this medicine is given to children, it should only be done on the advice of a doctor.
What to do if you overdose?
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine by mistake, do not panic. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Can this interact with other medications? (Interactions)
Yes, this is a very important point. These antacid-type medications can interfere with the absorption of some other medications we take. This means that the effectiveness of other medications may be reduced.
Therefore, if you are using any of the following medications or any other medicine, vitamin, or traditional medicine, you should tell your doctor about it.
- Antibiotics like Tetracycline
- Heart medications (e.g. Digoxin)
- Medications to strengthen bones (e.g. Alendronate)
- Medicines for epilepsy (e.g. Phenytoin)
- Medicines for fungal infections (e.g. Ketoconazole)
- Thyroid hormone medication (e.g. Levothyroxine)
- Vitamin D
It is best to take other medications two hours before or two hours after you take this aluminum hydroxide pill. Ask your doctor about this to be sure.
Things to be aware of and side effects when using the medicine
You need to be careful about some things while using this medicine.
- If your symptoms do not improve after using this medicine for more than a week , or if they get worse, see your doctor immediately. Do not continue to self-medicate.
- If your stools are black, tarry, have blood in them, or you just feel extremely tired , it could be a sign of a serious condition. Seek medical attention immediately.
- The main and most common side effect of this medication is constipation . To reduce it, drink plenty of water throughout the day and include foods high in fiber (fruits, vegetables) in your diet.
Below is a simple table of possible side effects.
| Type of side effect | Characteristics | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Serious allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. | Go to a hospital or ETU immediately. |
| Common side effects | Constipation. | Drink plenty of water. Tell your doctor if it persists or is bothersome. |
Take-Home Message
- Aluminum hydroxide is an antacid that is used to treat conditions such as stomach ulcers and indigestion.
- Before taking this medicine, be sure to tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and other medications you are taking.
- When taking medication, use the dosage given for it and take it exactly as the doctor tells you.
- Keep at least two hours between taking this medicine and any other medications you take.
- If symptoms do not improve within a week, if stools turn black, or if other serious symptoms occur, see a doctor immediately.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent constipation.
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