Aluminum hydroxide: what it is for and how to take it

Aluminum hydroxide is an antacid remedy indicated for heartburn, poor digestion or excess acid in the stomach, as it acts quickly to neutralize stomach acidity, causing the stomach to be less attacked by acid, which helps to alleviate symptoms such as burning, feeling of a full stomach, excess gas or belching.

This medicine can be found in pharmacies or drugstores in the form of chewable tablets or oral suspension, under the trade name Pepsamar, or in its generic form as “magnesium hydroxide”. Furthermore, aluminum hydroxide can be found in association with magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate or simethicone, with the trade names Simeco Plus, Mylanta or Gastrol, for example.

Aluminum hydroxide should be used under medical advice, as it can cause side effects such as weakness, nausea or constipation, in addition to being contraindicated for pregnant women, children or people who have kidney failure or intestinal obstruction.

What is it for

Aluminum hydroxide helps reduce stomach acidity and is normally indicated for:

• Asia;
• Gastric heartburn;
• Indigestion;
• Ulcer in the stomach or intestine;
• Gastritis;
• Hiatus hernia;
• Inflammation of the esophagus, stomach or intestine.

Aluminum hydroxide must be used under medical indication, with doses and treatment time advised by the doctor on an individual basis.

How to use

Aluminum hydroxide must be used orally, with tablets depending on the presentation and includes:

1. Compressed aluminum hydroxide

The chewable tablet contains 230 mg of aluminum hydroxide and should be used orally by chewing or dissolving the tablet in the mouth.

The normally recommended doses for adults are 2 to 4 chewable tablets per day, taken in divided doses, approximately one hour after meals and at bedtime, or as directed by the doctor.

The treatment time with aluminum hydroxide should not exceed 2 weeks of use and should always be advised by your doctor.

2. Aluminum hydroxide suspension

Aluminum hydroxide suspension should be used orally, and taken approximately 1 hour after a meal, diluted in water or milk.

Typically recommended doses of aluminum hydroxide suspension for adults vary according to the condition being treated and include:

• Heartburn or burning in the stomach: the normally recommended dose is 10 mL of aluminum hydroxide suspension, or as directed by the doctor;
• Stomach or intestine ulcer: the normally recommended dose is 10 to 15 mL of aluminum hydroxide suspension, at intervals of 2 or 4 hours, according to medical advice.

Before taking the aluminum hydroxide suspension, the bottle must be shaken to mix the formula components.

The duration of treatment with aluminum hydroxide suspension should be guided by the doctor according to the condition to be treated and the severity of the symptoms, and it is generally recommended not to exceed a period of 2 weeks of treatment.

In cases of concomitant consumption with iron (Fe) or folic acid supplements, the antacid should be ingested 2 hours apart, as well as citrus fruit juices 3 hours apart.

Possible side effects

The most common side effects that may occur during treatment with aluminum hydroxide are diarrhea or constipation, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, and long-term use in dialysis can cause encephalopathy, neurotoxicity and osteomalacia.

Who shouldn’t use

Aluminum hydroxide should not be used by children under 6 years of age or by people with severe kidney failure, intestinal obstruction, appendicitis, bleeding in the stomach or intestine, hemorrhoids or hypochlorhydria.

Furthermore, this remedy should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women unless recommended by a doctor.

Aluminum hydroxide should also not be used by people who are allergic to any of the components in the formula.