What is Magaldrate?
Magaldrate is an aluminum-containing antacid.
Magaldrate is used to treat heartburn, indigestion, or stomach upset.
Magaldrate may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Magaldrate?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to magaldrate.
Before you take magaldrate, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, Alzheimer’s dementia, severe constipation or diarrhea, stomach ulcer or intestinal bleeding, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, or a colostomy or ileostomy.
Do not take this medication for longer than 2 weeks without your doctor’s advice. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while taking magaldrate.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests such as an x-ray, CT scan, or MRI taken using a radioactive dye. Be sure any doctor who treats you knows ahead of time that you are taking magaldrate.
Stop taking magaldrate and call your doctor if you have severe stomach pain or cramps, severe nausea or vomiting, bone pain or muscle weakness, mood changes, or swelling in your hands or feet.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Magaldrate?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to magaldrate.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before you take magaldrate, tell your doctor if you have:
- kidney disease
- Alzheimer’s dementia
- severe constipation or diarrhea
- stomach ulcer or intestinal bleeding
- a blockage in your stomach or intestines; or
- a colostomy or ileostomy
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether magaldrate is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Magaldrate may pass into breast milk. Although it is not expected to cause harm to a nursing baby, do not use magaldrate without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Magaldrate Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Magaldrate?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using magaldrate and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- severe stomach pain, cramps, or bloating
- severe nausea or vomiting
- ongoing loss of appetite, weight loss
- severe constipation
- painful or difficult urination
- bone pain or muscle weakness
- mood changes; or
- swelling in your hands or feet
Less serious side effects may include:
- mild constipation or diarrhea
- mild loss of appetite; or
- light-colored stools
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Magaldrate Interactions
What other drugs affect Magaldrate?
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:
- ursodiol (Actigall, Urso)
- ethambutol (Myambutol)
- isoniazid
- ketoconazole (Nizoral)
- mecamylamine (Inversine)
- sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate, Kionex)
- tacrolimus (Prograf)
- vitamin or mineral supplements that contain aluminum, calcium, or iron
- an antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ofloxacin (Floxin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), and others
- drugs to treat Paget’s disease or osteoporosis, such as alendronate (Fosamax), etidronate (Didronel), ibandronate (Boniva), risedronate (Actonel), or tiludronate (Skelid)
- medicines containing phosphates, such as K-Phos, Neutra-Phos, and others
- methenamine (Hiprex, Mandelamine, Urex)
- thyroid medications such as levothyroxine (Synthroid) or liothyronine (Cytomel); or
- a tetracycline antibiotic such as demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), or tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap, Helidac)
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with magaldrate. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking Magaldrate?
Avoid taking any other medications within 2 hours before or after you take magaldrate. Either magaldrate or the other medications may be less effective when taken at the same time.
Magaldrate Dosage
How should I take Magaldrate?
Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
Magaldrate is usually taken 20 to 60 minutes after a meal and at bedtime. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Do not take this medication for longer than 2 weeks without your doctor’s advice. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while taking magaldrate.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests such as an x-ray, CT scan, or MRI taken using a radioactive dye. Be sure any doctor who treats you knows ahead of time that you are taking magaldrate.
Store magaldrate at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze.
What happens if I overdose on Magaldrate?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include severe constipation, diarrhea, cramps, or other stomach problems.
What happens if I miss a dose of Magaldrate?
Since magaldrate is used as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are using the medication regularly, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Edited from everydayhealth.com