Aluminum hydroxide is a remedy for Overcoming symptoms due to excess stomach acid production, such as heartburn, frequent belching, and flatulence. This drug is usually found in combination with other antacid drugs, such as magnesium hydroxide.
Aluminum hydroxide works by neutralizing stomach acid and protecting the stomach wall from irritation caused by stomach acid. This drug can be used in the treatment of heartburn, acid reflux disease, peptic ulcer, gastritis, esophagitis, or hiatal hernia.
In addition, aluminum hydroxide can also sometimes be used to treat hyperphosphatemia in patients with chronic kidney failure, because it can bind to phosphate from food so that it can be excreted by the body.
Aluminum hydroxide trademark: Acitral, Anflat, Antacid, Antacid Doen, Alumy, Berlosid, Besnmag, Biogastron, Carsida, Gastrucid, Indomag, Magten, Magaside, Mesamag, Ranacid, Sanmag, Stomach, Triocid
What is Aluminum Hydroxide
| group | Over-the-counter and prescription drugs |
| Category | Antacids |
| Benefit | Treating symptoms due to excess gastric acid production and treating hyperphosphatemia |
| Consumed by | Mature |
| Aluminum hydroxide for pregnant and lactating women | Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. Drugs should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. It is not known whether aluminum hydroxide can be absorbed into breast milk or not. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Chewable tablets (canimal), tablets and suspensions |
Precautions Before Consuming Aluminum Hydroxide
Before consuming aluminum hydroxide, there are several things you need to pay attention to before consuming aluminum hydroxide, namely:
- Do not take aluminum hydroxide if you are allergic to this drug.
- Consult a doctor about the use of aluminum hydroxide if you suffer from liver disease, constipation, are limiting fluid consumption, heart failure, have a habit of consuming alcoholic beverages, kidney disease, including kidney stones.
- Talk to your doctor about using aluminum hydroxide if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- Check with your doctor if you have heartburn or complaints that don't go away or get worse, after 2 weeks of consuming aluminum hydroxide.
- Talk to your doctor if you plan to take aluminum hydroxide with other medications, supplements, or herbal products.
- See your doctor right away if you experience an allergic drug reaction, serious side effect, or overdose, after taking aluminum hydroxide.
Dosage and Instructions for Use of Aluminum Hydroxide
In general, the following dosages of aluminum hydroxide are used in adults, according to their intended use:
- Purpose: As an antacid
The maximum dose is 1000 mg per day. Consume after meals and before going to bed at night.
- Purpose: Treating hyperphosphatemia in patients with chronic renal failure
The maximum dose is 10,000 mg per day divided into several doses. The dose will be adjusted according to the patient's needs.
How to Consume Aluminum Hydroxide Correctly
Read the instructions for use listed on the packaging and follow the directions for use given by the doctor. Do not increase or decrease the dose, and do not use this medicine for more than the recommended time.
Aluminum hydroxide can be taken before or after meals. However, if you are taking aluminum hydroxide to lower your blood phosphate level, be sure to take it with meals.
Take aluminum hydroxide with a glass of water. To take aluminum hydroxide suspension form, shake it before drinking. For aluminum hydroxide chewable tablet form, it is necessary to bite and chew before swallowing.
Aluminum hydroxide may interfere with the absorption of other drugs. We recommend that you give a gap of 2-4 hours between consumption of aluminum hydroxide with other drugs.
For effective treatment, take aluminum hydroxide at the same time each day. Make sure that there is sufficient time between one dose and the next. Do not use aluminum hydroxide for more than 2 weeks, unless directed by your doctor.
If you forget to take aluminum hydroxide, take the drug as soon as you remember. If the time lag with the next dose is near, ignore the dose and do not double the next dose.
Store aluminum hydroxide in a cool dry place. Keep the medicine away from direct sunlight and keep the medicine out of reach of children.
Interaction of Aluminum Hydroxide with Other Drugs
There are several interaction effects that can occur if aluminum hydroxide is used together with other drugs, including:
- Impaired absorption of some drugs, such as digoxin, tetracycline, penicillin, sulfonamides, iron, indomethacin, naproxen, phenylbutazone, or quinidine.
- Increased absorption of aluminum hydroxide when used with vitamin C or ascorbic acid
- Increased risk of side effects due to accumulation of aluminum if with other drugs containing aluminum
Aluminum Hydroxide Side Effects and Hazards
There are several side effects that may arise after consuming aluminum hydroxide, namely:
- Taste like chewing or swallowing chalk
- Constipation
- Nausea or vomiting
- stomach cramps
Check with your doctor if the side effects above don't go away or get worse. Immediately see a doctor if you have an allergic reaction to the drug or a more serious side effect, such as:
- Severe stomach ache
- Pain when urinating
- Low levels of phosphate in the body which can be characterized by symptoms such as unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, weak muscles
- Black stools, bloody stools, or vomit like ground coffee