Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, Sim... Health Article

Generic name(s):

Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, Simethicone Oral suspension

Brand name(s):

What is this medicine?

ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE; MAGNESIUM HYDROXIDE; SIMETHICONE (a LOO mi num hye DROX ide; mag NEE zhum hye DROX ide; sye METH i kone) is an antacid and antigas medicine. It is used to relieve the symptoms of indigestion, heartburn, sour stomach, and the discomfort caused by gas.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• bowel, intestinal, or stomach disease
• constipation
• diarrhea
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• on a sodium (salt) restricted diet
• stomach bleeding or obstruction
• an unusual or allergic reaction to aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, simethicone, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth. Follow the directions on the label. Shake well before using. Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure your medicine. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one. Household spoons are not accurate. Antacids are usually taken after meals and at bedtime or as directed by your doctor or health care professional. After taking the medication, drink a full glass of water. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 6 years old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

• amphetamine
• antibiotics
• captopril
• delavirdine
• gabapentin
• heart medicines, such as digoxin or digitoxin
• hyoscyamine
• iron salts
• isoniazid
• medicines for breathing difficulties like ipratropium and tiotropium
• medicines for diabetes
• medicines for fungal infections like itraconazole and ketoconazole
• medicines for osteoporosis like alendronate, etidronate, risedronate and tiludronate
• medicines for overactive bladder like oxybutynin and tolterodine
• medicines for seizures like ethotoin and phenytoin
• methenamine
• mycophenolate
• pancrelipase
• penicillamine
• phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
• quinidine
• rosuvastatin
• sodium fluoride
• sodium polystyrene sulfonate
• sotalol
• sucralfate
• tacrolimus
• thyroid hormones like levothyroxine
• ursodiol
• vitamin D
• zalcitabine

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Do not treat yourself for stomach problems with this medicine for more than 2 weeks. See a doctor if you have black tarry stools, rectal bleeding, or if you feel unusually tired. Do not change to another antacid product without advice.

If you are taking other medicines, leave an interval of at least 2 hours before or after taking this medicine.

To help reduce constipation, drink several glasses of water a day.