What is aluminum hydroxide?
Aluminum is a naturally occurring substance. Aluminum hydroxide is the hydroxide salt form of aluminum designed for oral ingestion. Aluminum hydroxide is used to treat the symptoms of increased stomach acid in conditions such as heartburn, acid reflux, acid indigestion, sour stomach, and stomach ulcers. Aluminum hydroxide is also used to treat, control, or manage high levels of phosphate in the body. Aluminum hydroxide is also used with a low phosphate diet to prevent the formation of phosphate urinary stones.
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What are the possible side effects of aluminum hydroxide?
Stop taking aluminum hydroxide and seek emergency medical attention if you
experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips,
tongue, or face; or hives).
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take aluminum
and talk to your doctor if you experience constipation. Increased fluid intake may lessen
constipation.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any
side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
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How should I take aluminum hydroxide?
Take aluminum hydroxide exactly as directed by your doctor or as directed on the package. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take the tablets and capsules with a full glass of water. To ensure that you get the correct dose, measure the liquid form of aluminum hydroxide with a dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one. Shake the suspension well before measuring a dose. A dose of the liquid formulation can be followed with a drink of water if you desire.
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What is the most important information I should know about aluminum hydroxide?
Before taking aluminum hydroxide, talk to your doctor if you take any other medicines. Aluminum can decrease the effects of many other medicines by binding to them or by changing the acidity of the stomach or the urine. Do not take more of this medication than is recommended.
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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
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What other drugs will affect aluminum hydroxide?
Before taking aluminum hydroxide, talk to your doctor if you take any other medicines. Aluminum can decrease the effects of many other medicines by binding to them or by changing the acidity of the stomach or the urine. Drugs other than those listed here can also interact with aluminum hydroxide. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter or prescription medicines.
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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?
Aluminum hydroxide has not been formally assigned to a pregnancy category by the FDA. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy, however, limited data suggest no association between aluminum hydroxide and adverse fetal outcome (written communication, Franz Rosa, MD, Food and Drug Administration, 1994). Aluminum hydroxide is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.
In a review of 229,101 deliveries to Michigan Medicaid patients, 351 first-trimester exposures to aluminum hydroxide were recorded and 996 exposures anytime during pregnancy. A total of 14 birth defects were reported with first trimester exposure (15 expected) and included (observed/expected) 5/4 cardiovascular defects, 2/0.5 oral clefts, and 1 polydactyly. These data do not support an association between aluminum hydroxide ingestion and adverse fetal outcome (written communication, Franz Rosa, MD, Food and Drug Administration, 1994).
There are no data on the excretion of aluminum hydroxide into human milk.
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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of an aluminum overdose include weight loss, decreased appetite, general feeling of sickness, muscle weakness, kidney failure, and softening of the bones.
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Who should not take aluminum hydroxide?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease; have any condition that causes slow emptying of the stomach; or take any other medicines. You may not be able to take aluminum hydroxide or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. It is not known whether aluminum hydroxide will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.
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