Guide To Side Effects Linked To Antacids
Antacids are medications that neutralize stomach acid. Many of them are available over-the-counter. The medications are available in liquid, tablet, and gummy formulations. Aluminum hydroxide, magnesium trisilicate, calcium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate are a few of the most common antacids. Doctors recommend taking antacids either with food or soon after a meal. Individuals taking other medications should ask their doctor or pharmacist about potential interactions. Generally, patients who have taken an antacid will need to wait two to four hours before taking other medicines. Individuals with heart failure or kidney disorders should check with their doctor before using antacids, and a pediatrician should be consulted before antacids are given to children.
Many individuals take antacid medication as a treatment for heartburn or indigestion. Typically, patients will take them as dissolvable indigestion tablets. They are also a common option for acid reflux medicine. Antacids may also help as gastritis or stomach ulcer treatments. Of course, patients must understand the potential side effects of antacids first.
Diarrhea Or Constipation
Patients who take antacids may deal with diarrhea or constipation as side effects. Antacids that contain magnesium are most likely to trigger diarrhea, and those with aluminum or calcium can contribute to constipation. Diarrhea involves loose, watery stools, and patients could also notice more frequent bowel movements. Abdominal cramps or pain may occur, and mucus could be present in the stool. Some individuals may feel an urgent need to have a bowel movement, and nausea has been reported. To treat diarrhea at home, doctors recommend using over-the-counter medications such as loperamide to reduce the number of watery bowel movements. It is also beneficial to avoid dairy, high-fiber foods, and fatty foods for a few days.
If a patient taking an antacid goes for three or more days without a bowel movement, they are likely constipated. Symptoms of constipation include hard, dry stools that are small in size, and patients may also notice bloating or feel the need to strain during a bowel movement. To treat constipation, patients can try over-the-counterlaxatives and increasing dietary fiber. Enemas may be necessary if these measures do not work.
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Swelling In The Extremities
Some types of antacids, including sodium bicarbonate, contain particularly high levels of salt. This could lead to fluid retention and swelling in the extremities. For example, patients may notice their feet, ankles, lower legs, fingers, or hands are puffy or larger than normal. Some swollen areas could be tender to the touch, and it may be difficult to wear socks and shoes if the feet or ankles are significantly swollen.
Patients should monitor any swelling of the extremities and consult a doctor if this symptom persists for more than two or three days. Swelling of this nature could sometimes be a sign of a more serious medical condition. Information about the swelling's location, when it began, and anything that makes it worse or better can be useful to doctors in assessing this symptom.
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Belching Or Gas
Taking antacids may sometimes result in belching or gas. While these symptoms are not usually serious, they can cause embarrassment to the patient. Belching is the body's method of expelling excess air, and it occurs most often with antacids containing calcium carbonate. As they neutralize stomach acid, calcium carbonate and other antacids can create a buildup of carbon dioxide that leads to burping.
Flatulence is another side effect associated with calcium-based antacids. Patients who are especially concerned about this side effect may want to use calcium citrate instead. Choosing an antacid with simethicone is also effective at reducing gas. Temporarily reducing high-fiber foods, reducing dairy consumption, and eating less dietary fat could be beneficial in flatulence reduction as well.
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Nausea
Taking calcium-based antacids for a prolonged period or in higher than recommended doses could cause nausea. Patients experiencing nausea typically describe a feeling of queasiness in the stomach. This may include an urge to vomit. Since this symptom is associated with an excessive amount of calcium in the body, patients who experience nausea while using antacids should let their doctor know. It may be necessary to adjust their other medications.
Patients may want to try eating light meals of soft and bland foods to reduce nausea at home. Getting fresh air could help ease nausea as well. Some individuals have experienced relief with ginger or peppermint, and avoiding strong smells and flavors is recommended. If nausea occurs along with diarrhea or continues for several days, patients should see their doctor. Nausea that occurs with chest pain or abdominal pain needs urgent investigation. Patients should be taken to an emergency room.
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Headaches
Headaches can develop on one or both sides of the head, and they frequently affect the forehead. Some headaches cause a dull, throbbing pain, and a sharper, more intense pain characterizes others. Headaches can be triggered by medication use, and they may be caused or exacerbated by dehydration, stress, and anxiety. Patients who have headaches during antacid use could benefit from resting in a dark, quiet location. It can also help to practice stress management techniques.
Since headaches are not commonly associated with antacid use, patients with this symptom should be evaluated by a doctor. This is especially necessary if the headache lasts more than twenty-four hours or if it does not improve after resting. A doctor should also be informed if the patient's headache disturbs their sleep or daily activities. Headaches accompanied by nausea, vomiting, confusion, or blurry vision warrant immediate medical attention. In some cases, patients may be able to relieve their headaches by making medication adjustments.
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Kidney Stones
Kidney stones, by definition, form inside an individual's kidneys. They are quite hard, and the deposits can be made up of different salts and minerals. The significant majority of kidney stones are made from calcium. Unfortunately, many antacids contain calcium. Thus, kidney stones are one of the potential side effects of taking this type of antacid.
Individuals taking antacids with calcium should watch for the common symptoms of kidney stones. They include sharp and severe back or flank pain, a burning sensation during urination, blood in the urine, nausea, vomiting, cloudy urine, and the persistent urge to urinate. Patients should stop taking antacids if they see these symptoms and contact their doctor. Many individuals can pass kidney stones on their own, but it is often painful.
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Osteomalacia
Osteomalacia is a condition involving severe weakening of the individual's bones. In many cases, it is the result of a vitamin D deficiency. Medications can cause osteomalacia as well. Certain antacids can interfere with an individual's vitamin D and calcium levels and trigger this condition. Research indicates that this happens due to phosphate depletion.
This side effect typically happens when individuals are taking antacids that contain aluminum hydroxide for long periods. If patients develop osteomalacia due to taking antacids, there are three major components of their initial treatment. They will have to stop taking the antacids. They must also supplement with vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus. Making smart dietary choices for these vitamins and minerals is also helpful.
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Increased Magnesium
Some individuals who take antacids, specifically those made with magnesium, will experience increased magnesium as a side effect. Although individuals need magnesium for many functions in their bodies, it is possible to have too much. Patients with existing kidney problems, including renal failure, are at a particularly high risk of having too much magnesium in their body as a side effect of antacids. This is because their kidneys are not performing properly, and this often includes a reduced ability to excrete magnesium through urine. Individuals should look for symptoms such as diarrhea, lethargy, abdominal cramps, nausea, low blood pressure, depression, and muscle weakness. Of course, there are many more symptoms. Patients must stop taking the antacids with magnesium when they experience these symptoms. They may also require additional treatments, such as intravenous fluids, dialysis, and diuretics.
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Stomach Cramps
Many patients who take antacids, particularly if they tend to overuse them, will deal with some stomach cramps as a side effect. In some instances, this side effect is temporary and may disappear. Patients with persistent stomach cramps or cramps that worsen when they continue to take antacids should consider reducing how much and how often they take their chosen antacid. In other instances, individuals dealing with constant stomach cramps on antacids may want to contact their doctor. They may have to stop taking the antacid and look for an alternative treatment for their condition. Of course, some individuals can benefit from changing the antacids they take, though they should ask their doctor for advice on this if they have already dealt with stomach cramps.
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Alkalosis
Overusing antacids can lead to a dangerous side effect known as alkalosis. Alkalosis is a condition in which the body does not have enough acids or too many bases. In the case of antacids, individuals typically experience metabolic alkalosis due to excess calcium. Metabolic alkalosis means that an individual's blood is too alkaline, which is the opposite of acidic. The excessive calcium prevents the body from making the acids it needs to function properly.
Unfortunately, this condition can present without symptoms. However, when they appear, patients may experience fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and swelling in their lower legs. Serious symptoms of metabolic alkalosis include disorientation, seizures, and coma. Patients with kidney problems and those who take nonabsorbable antacids are at a higher risk of this side effect. The first treatment, of course, is to stop taking the antacids. Additional treatment is often required, though it can vary, depending on the type of metabolic alkalosis. Options include dietary adjustments, intravenous saline or potassium chloride, and potassium chloride supplements.