Sodium Bicarbonate

Sodium bicarbonate is an antacid used to relieve heartburn and acid indigestion. Your doctor also may prescribe sodium bicarbonate to make your blood or urine less acidic in certain conditions.

Sodium bicarbonate comes as a tablet and powder to take by mouth. Sodium bicarbonate is taken one to four times a day, depending on the reason you take it. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take sodium bicarbonate exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

If you are using sodium bicarbonate as an antacid, it should be taken 1-2 hours after meals, with a full glass of water. If you are using sodium bicarbonate for another reason, it may be taken with or without food. Do not take sodium bicarbonate on an overly full stomach.

Dissolve sodium bicarbonate powder in at least 4 ounces of water. Measure powdered doses carefully using a measuring spoon.

Do not use sodium bicarbonate for longer than 2 weeks unless your doctor tells you to. If sodium bicarbonate does not improve your symptoms, call your doctor.

Do not give sodium bicarbonate to children under 12 years of age unless your doctor tells you to.

This medicine increases the amount of sodium in your body. If you are on a sodium-restricted diet, check with your doctor before taking sodium bicarbonate.

If your doctor has told you to take sodium bicarbonate on a certain schedule, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

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Magaldrate with Simethicone suspension.

Brand Name: Riopan Plus and Ron Acid Plus.

Magaldrate/Simethicone Suspension is used for:

Treating acid indigestion, heartburn, gas, and sour stomach. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Magaldrate/Simethicone Suspension is an antacid and antiflatulent combination. The antacid works by neutralizing stomach acid and increasing the pH of the stomach. The antiflatulent works by breaking up gas bubbles, which makes gas easier to eliminate.

Use Magaldrate/Simethicone Suspension as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

* Magaldrate/Simethicone Suspension may be taken with or without food.
* Shake well before using.
* If you miss a dose of Magaldrate/Simethicone Suspension and you are taking it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your health care provider. Do not take 2 doses at once.

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; diarrhea; intestinal pain.

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Calcium Carbonate.

Calcium carbonate is widely used medicinally as an inexpensive dietary calcium supplement or antacid. It may be used as a phosphate binder for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia (primarily in patients with chronic renal failure). It is also used in the pharmaceutical industry as an inert filler for tablets and other pharmaceuticals.

Calcium carbonate is used in the production of toothpaste and is also used in homeopathy as one of the constitutional remedies.

Excess calcium from supplements, fortified food and high-calcium diets, can cause the "milk alkali syndrome," which has serious toxicity and can be fatal. In 1915, Bertram Sippy introduced the "Sippy regimen" of hourly ingestion of milk and cream, and the gradual addition of eggs and cooked cereal, for 10 days, combined with alkaline powders, which provided symptomatic relief for peptic ulcer disease. Over the next several decades, the Sippy regimen resulted in renal failure, alkalosis, and hypercalemia, mostly in men with peptic ulcer disease.

These adverse effects were reversed when the regimen stopped, but it was fatal in some patients with protracted vomiting. Milk alkali syndrome declined in men after effective treatments for peptic ulcer disease. But during the past 15 years, it has been reported in women taking calcium supplements above the recommended range of 1200 to 1500 mg daily, for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, and is exacerbated by dehydration. Calcium has been added to over-the-counter products, which contributes to inadvertent excessive intake. Excessive calcium intake can lead to hypercalcemia, complications of which include vomiting, abdominal pain and altered mental status.

A form of food additive is designated as E170. It is used in some soy milk products as a source of dietary calcium; one study suggests that calcium carbonate might be as bioavailable as the calcium in cow's milk.

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Bismuth Subsalicylate.

Bismuth subsalicylate is used to treat diarrhea, heartburn, and upset stomach in adults and children 12 years of age and older. Bismuth subsalicylate is in a class of medications called antidiarrhea agents. It works by decreasing the flow of fluids and electrolytes into the bowel, reduces inflammation within the intestine, and may kill the organisms that can cause diarrhea.

Bismuth subsalicylate comes as a liquid, tablet, or chewable tablet to be taken by mouth, with or without food. Follow the directions on the package carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take bismuth subsalicylate exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than recommended by the manufacturer or your doctor.

Swallow the tablets whole; do not chew them.

Shake the liquid well before each use to mix the medication evenly.

If your symptoms get worse or if your diarrhea lasts longer than 48 hours, stop taking this medication and call your doctor.

Bismuth subsalicylate may cause side effects.

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience this symptom, stop taking this medication and call your doctor immediately:

* ringing or buzzing in your ear(s)

Bismuth subsalicylate may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

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Aluminum Hydroxide with Magnesium Hydroxide

Brand names: Alamag®, Alumina and Magnesia, Gen-Alox®, Kudrox®, Maalox® (no longer marketed), Maalox® Caplet, Maalox® HRF, Maalox® TC, Magagel®, Magnalox®, Maldroxal®, Mintox®, Mylanta® Ultimate Strength, Ri-Mox®, Rulox, Rulox® #1, Rulox® #2

ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE; MAGNESIUM HYDROXIDE is an antacid that neutralizes or reduces stomach acid. It helps relieve symptoms of excessive stomach acidity in patients with indigestion, heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), or stomach or duodenal ulcers. In large doses, it can act as a laxative. Generic antacid tablets are available.

Take magnesium hydroxide; aluminum hydroxide tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Chew well, or crush the tablets before swallowing; follow with a glass of water. Antacids are usually taken after meals and at bedtime, or as directed by your prescriber. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Check with your prescriber or health care professional if aluminum hydroxide; magnesium hydroxide does not relieve your stomach pains; if you get black tarry stools; notice any rectal bleeding; or feel unusually tired. Do not change to another antacid product without advice.

Do not treat yourself for stomach problems with aluminum hydroxide; magnesium hydroxide for more than 2 weeks without consulting your prescriber or health care professional.

If you are taking other medications, leave an interval of at least 2 hours before or after dosing with aluminum hydroxide; magnesium hydroxide. If you are taking prescription medications check with a healthcare professional before taking aluminum hydroxide; magnesium hydroxide.

Drink several glasses of water a day. This will help to reduce possible constipation.

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