Aluminum Hydroxide-Magnesium Hydroxide: Side Effects, Uses, Dosage, Interactions, Warnings (2024)

• Uses
  • What Is Aluminum Hydroxide-Magnesium Hydroxide and How Does It Work?
• Dosages
  • What Are Dosages of Aluminum Hydroxide-Magnesium Hydroxide?
• Side Effects
  • What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Aluminum Hydroxide-Magnesium Hydroxide?
• Drug Interactions
  • What Other Drugs Interact with Aluminum Hydroxide-Magnesium Hydroxide?
• Warnings and Precautions
  • What Are Warnings and Precautions for Aluminum Hydroxide-Magnesium Hydroxide?

What Is Aluminum Hydroxide-Magnesium Hydroxide and How Does It Work?

Aluminum Hydroxide-Magnesium Hydroxide is a combination of over-the-counter (OTC) products used to treat the symptoms ofhyperacidity and heartburn.

• Aluminum Hydroxide-Magnesium Hydroxide is available under the following different brand names: Maalox

What Are Dosages of Aluminum Hydroxide-Magnesium Hydroxide?

Adult and pediatric dosage

Oral liquid

• (200 mg /200 mg)/ 5 mL

Oral suspension

• (500 mg/500 mg)/ 5 mL

Gastric Hyperacidity, Heartburn

Adult dosage

• 10-20 mL orally between meals & every night at bedtime

Pediatric dosage

• Children below 12 years old: Safety & efficacy not established
• Children above 12 years old: 10-20 mL orally between meals & every night at bedtime

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

• See “Dosages”

What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Aluminum Hydroxide-Magnesium Hydroxide?

Common side effects of Aluminum Hydroxide-Magnesium Hydroxide include:

• chalky taste
• constipation
• fecal impaction
• stomach cramps
• nausea
• vomiting
• rebound hyperacidity
• aluminum intoxication
• low blood phosphate (hypophosphatemia)
• milk-alkali syndrome
• softening of bones
• diarrhea
• high blood magnesium (hypermagnesemia)
• serious side effects of Aluminum Hydroxide-Magnesium Hydroxide include:
• dizziness,
• fainting.

Rare side effects of Aluminum Hydroxide-Magnesium Hydroxide include:

• black/tarry stools,
• slow/shallow breathing,
• slow/irregular heartbeat,
• mental/mood changes (such as confusion),
• deep sleep,
• pain with urination,
• stomach/abdominal pain,
• vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
  

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems toFDAat 1-800-FDA-1088.

What Other Drugs Interact with Aluminum Hydroxide-Magnesium Hydroxide?

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Aluminum Hydroxide-Magnesium Hydroxide has severe interactions with the following drugs:
  • pazopanib
  • raltegravir
• Aluminum Hydroxide-Magnesium Hydroxide has serious interactions with at least 33 other drugs.
• Aluminum Hydroxide-Magnesium Hydroxide has moderate interactions with at least 132 other drugs.
• Aluminum Hydroxide-Magnesium Hydroxide has minor interactions with at least 59 other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products.Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist.Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

What Are Warnings and Precautions for Aluminum Hydroxide-Magnesium Hydroxide?

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to any component

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Aluminum Hydroxide-Magnesium Hydroxide?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Aluminum Hydroxide-Magnesium Hydroxide?”

Cautions

• Prolonged antacid therapy may result in hypophosphatemia; aluminum in antacid may form insoluble phosphate complexes, which may result in decreased phosphate absorption in the GI tract; severe hypophosphatemia may lead to anorexia, malaise, muscle weakness, and osteomalacia
• Prolonged therapy may result in aluminum intoxication or hypermagnesemia, particularly in renal impairment; aluminum intoxication may result in osteomalacia or dialysis encephalopathy
• If used for self-medication, instruct patients to consult their physician before initiating if they are on a magnesium and/or sodium-restricted diet; not to be administered for longer than 14 days
• May increase or decrease the rate &/or degree of absorption of concomitantly administered oral drugs by changing GI transit time or by binding the drug

Pregnancy & Lactation

• Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks during pregnancy
• Lactation
  • Excretion in milk unknown; use caution