What Are Antacid Tablets?

Most people experience occasional heartburn or indigestion after a particularly spicy or indulgent meal, eating too much, or eating too late at night. When your stomach is feeling painful and sour, one treatment option is antacid tablets.

Antacid tablets are a viable treatment option for certain types of stomach upset, but what are antacid tablets exactly and how do they work?

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Antacid tablets are a type of over-the-counter (OTC) medication that is often used to treat mild to moderate heartburn that occurs on an occasional basis. Heartburn can be treated by many different types of medications, including proton pump inhibitors, H2 receptor blockers, and antacid tablets, and each of these types of medications works differently.

Antacid tablets use active ingredients like calcium, magnesium, and aluminum salts. These active ingredients work by lowering the pH in the stomach acid, which helps to neutralize it.

In addition to reducing the pH of the stomach acid, antacids also decrease the action of pepsin, an enzyme that the body uses to help digest protein. Pepsin also combines with hydrochloric acid to help create the acidity that your body needs in order to digest food efficiently.

Some types of antacids include another active ingredient called alginate, which forms a foam at the top of the stomach and blocks acid from entering the esophagus.

Proton pump inhibitors and H2 receptor blockers are prescription treatments for heartburn. They work by inhibiting acid production in the stomach or lowering the amount of acid in the stomach. Antacids do not change the amount of acid in the stomach; instead, they neutralize stomach acid to reduce symptoms of heartburn temporarily. Antacids typically come in the form of liquids, chewable tablets, or tablets that are designed to dissolve into a beverage.

Why do people use antacid tablets?

Antacid tablets are designed to help neutralize stomach acid to treat symptoms associated with excess acid. There are many different reasons why people use antacids, but all of them relate to excess acid in the stomach.

• Common symptoms of excess stomach acid include:
• Heartburn, a condition in which extra acid from the stomach is able to enter the esophagus, causing a burning feeling in the chest or throat
• Indigestion, an uncomfortable feeling that can cause symptoms like gas, bloating, and nausea and primarily affects the upper portion of the digestive tract
• Acid reflux, a general term used to refer to excess acid production that causes symptoms like pain when lying down, regurgitation, difficulty swallowing, bitter taste in the mouth, nausea, and persistent dry cough
  

Antacids During Pregnancy

It is very common for women to experience symptoms of heartburn and indigestion during pregnancy as a result of the expanding uterus pushing upward on the stomach. This upward pressure can force stomach acid into the esophagus.

Because heartburn is such a pervasive problem during pregnancy, many women are tempted to use medications like antacids to treat their symptoms. However, not all antacids are safe for use during pregnancy, so pregnant women should use caution.

Pregnant women should never use antacids that contain sodium bicarbonate, as they can have dangerous effects on a growing fetus. Similarly, pregnant women should not use antacids that contain aspirin, as they contribute to an increased risk of bleeding.

However, antacids that contain calcium carbonate are considered safe for use during pregnancy. In general, pregnant women should speak to their doctor before taking antacids or any other medication in order to ensure that their chosen product will not have any detrimental effects to the pregnancy.

Antacids for Kids

While it is more common for adults to experience acid reflux, sometimes, children and infants may also experience acid reflux. Infants typically experience acid reflux as a result of food sensitivities, and changing their diet usually clears up the problem.

Children experience acid reflux less commonly, but it is caused by a wide range of factors. Obesity, developmental delay, and food sensitivities are all common contributors to acid reflux in children, but acid reflux is never considered normal in kids.

If your child experiences acid reflux, make sure to talk to their doctor in order to determine a proper diagnosis and cause. If your child’s doctor says that antacid use is safe, make sure to use anantacid that is specially formulated for kids.

What precautions are associated with antacid tablets?

Antacids are typically sold over the counter and do not require a prescription because they are generally considered safe and cause few side effects when used as directed. However, not everyone can use antacids safely, including people with certain medical conditions like kidney failure or heart failure, particularly when using aluminum hydroxide and magnesium carbonate as active ingredients.

Antacids containing aluminum hydroxide are not considered safe for use by Individuals experiencing kidney failure, as their kidneys may not be able to filter out the aluminum properly. Aluminum may then build up in the body to a potentially dangerous level known as aluminum toxicity.

Additionally, all antacids contain electrolytes, which makes them potentially dangerous for people with kidney disease and kidney failure, as these individuals have difficulty regulating their electrolyte levels. Use of antacids may contribute to electrolyte imbalances in people with impaired kidney function.

Most antacids contain sodium in large quantities, which makes them potentially unsafe for people with heart failure. Patients with heart failure typically need to consume a diet low in sodium in order to minimize the buildup of fluid around the heart, so the addition of more sodium can be dangerous.

What side effects are associated with antacid tablets?

Antacids are approved for over the counter sales, which means they are associated with relatively few side effects and are considered safe for most people. However, some people may still experience side effects when using antacids, even when taking the medication as directed.

The most common side effects associated with antacids include:

• Constipation
• Decreased bone mineralization
• Fluid retention or alkalosis
• Diarrhea

Although uncommon, some people do develop allergic reactions to antacids. Other people may find that they become more sensitive to certain foods when using antacids on a regular basis. Antacids containing aspirin can also contribute to a serious risk of bleeding. The FDA issued awarning in 2016 that specifically addressed the risk of bleeding, which is most prevalent in people who have a history of bleeding disorders, stomach ulcers, or who are over the age of 60.

Although antacids can cause side effects when used as directed, other side effects occur only as a result of misuse when the medications are taken in too large of a dose or for an extended period of time. It is possible to experience a calcium overdose when taking antacids containing calcium carbonate if the tablets are used incorrectly.

Calcium overdose can cause side effects including:

• Nausea
• Kidney stones
• Changes in mental status
• Vomiting
• Alkalosis, a condition in which the body does not produce enough acid to function properly

Antacids should only be used occasionally to treat mild to moderate heartburn. People who find that they need to take antacids in large amounts or on a more frequent basis should talk to their doctor about their condition, as they may need other medication or be suffering from a more serious condition. Talk to your doctor if you do not find relief from taking antacids as directed.

When should you talk to a doctor?

If you have mild to moderate heart burn, acid reflux, or indigestion, antacids can be effective in controlling your symptoms on an occasional basis.

However, if antacids do not control your symptoms or you find that you need to use more antacids in order to keep your symptoms in check, you may be experiencing a more serious medical condition, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or a peptic ulcer.

When used for an extended period of time, antacids can cause a loss of bone density, so it’s important to talk to your doctor if your symptoms are out of control. GERD and peptic ulcers can also have serious lasting health consequences.

Remember that while antacids will make your symptoms better for a short period of time, they do not cure or treat the root cause of acid reflux. If your symptoms last for more than two weeks and are moderate to severe, it’s time to call your doctor.

In order to reduce the likelihood of experiencing acid reflux, you can work on incorporating some lifestyle changes, including:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Avoiding eating fried or fatty foods
• Avoiding eating peppermint
• Avoiding consuming caffeinated beverages like coffee
• Avoiding eating chocolate
• Avoiding eating late at night
• Sleeping in an inclined position rather than lying flat
• Avoiding consuming acidic foods like lemons, tomatoes, and citrus

Summary

Antacid tablets are a type of over the counter medication that is used to treat symptoms of excess stomach acid, including heartburn, indigestion, and acid reflux. Antacids are generally considered safe for use but can cause side effects even when used as directed. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms get worse or occur regularly and are not controlled by antacids.