Generic Name: aluminum hydroxide/magnesium trisilicate
Brand Names: Gaviscon Regular Strength Tablets
Drug Class: Antacids, Combos
What is aluminum hydroxide/magnesium trisilicate, and what is it used for?
Aluminum hydroxide/magnesium trisilicate is a combination medication used to relieve symptoms of acid indigestion and heartburn due to acid reflux.
Both aluminum hydroxide and magnesium trisilicate are antacids that neutralize the hydrochloric acid in the stomach, protecting the gastrointestinal (GI) lining from its corrosive effects. Neither antacid has an effect on the stomach’s acid production.
Aluminum hydroxide combines with hydrochloric acid in the stomach to form aluminum chloride and water, which increases the gastric pH and reduces the activity of pepsin, the enzyme that breaks down protein. Magnesium trisilicate also combines with hydrochloric acid to form magnesium salt and water, increasing the gastric pH. It further precipitates colloidal silica, which coats the stomach lining and provides further protection.
Warnings
- Do not use aluminum hydroxide/magnesium trisilicate if you are hypersensitive to any of the components in the formulation.
- Do not take aluminum hydroxide/magnesium trisilicate if you have kidney disease.
- Avoid taking aluminum hydroxide/magnesium trisilicate if you have peptic ulcers or if you have trouble swallowing.
- Avoid taking concurrently with other oral drugs, aluminum hydroxide/magnesium trisilicate may increase or decrease the rate and/or degree of absorption of other drugs.
- Hearing impairment or ringing in the ears (tinnitus) may indicate toxicity from the drug, discontinue and check with your physician if you experience these symptoms.
What are the side effects of aluminum hydroxide/magnesium trisilicate?
Common side effects of aluminum hydroxide/magnesium trisilicate include:
- Aluminum hydroxide
- Stomach cramps
- Constipation
- Fecal impaction
- Hemorrhoids
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Chalky taste
- Rebound hyperacidity
- Softening of bones (osteomalacia)
- Aluminum intoxication
- Milk-alkali syndrome, a condition with
- Kidney injury
- High calcium in blood (hypercalcemia)
- High alkalinity of tissues (metabolic alkalosis)
- Low phosphate levels in blood (hypophosphatemia)
- Low magnesium levels in blood (hypomagnesemia)
- Magnesium Trisilicate
Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms or serious side effects while using this drug:
- Serious heart symptoms include fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness;
- Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady;
- Severe nervous system reaction with very stiff muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, and feeling like you might pass out; or
- Serious eye symptoms include blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.
This is not a complete list of all side effects or adverse reactions that may occur from the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may also report side effects or health problems to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
SLIDESHOW
Digestive Disorders: Common Misconceptions See SlideshowWhat are the dosages of aluminum hydroxide/magnesium trisilicate?
Aluminum Hydroxide/Magnesium Trisilicate
Tablet, Chewable
- 80 mg/14.2 mg
Adult:
Gastric Hyperacidity, Heartburn
- Regular Strength Tablets: Chew 2-4 tablets orally every 6 hours as needed; not to exceed 16 tablets/day
Pediatric:
- Safety and efficacy not established
Overdose
- Overdose of aluminum hydroxide/magnesium trisilicate combo may cause constipation or diarrhea, but the symptoms should resolve with discontinuation of the drug.
- Chronic use of aluminum hydroxide/magnesium trisilicate may increase blood levels of magnesium (hypermagnesemia) and cause accumulation of aluminum resulting in aluminum toxicity.
What drugs interact with aluminum hydroxide/magnesium trisilicate?
Inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking, who can advise you on any possible drug interactions. Never begin taking, suddenly discontinue, or change the dosage of any medication without your doctor’s recommendation.
- Severe interactions of aluminum hydroxide/magnesium trisilicate include:
- Serious interactions of aluminum hydroxide/magnesium trisilicate include:
- atazanavir
- baloxavir marboxil
- infigratinib
- misoprostol
- pazopanib
- ponatinib
- sotorasib
- Moderate interactions of aluminum hydroxide/magnesium trisilicate include:
- budesonide
- cabotegravir
- dabrafenib
- elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir DF
- ethambutol
- ledipasvir/sofosbuvir
- nilotinib
- omadacycline
- pexidartinib
- rifampin
- riociguat
- sarecycline
- sofosbuvir/velpatasvir
- vismodegib
- Aluminum hydroxide/magnesium trisilicate has no listed mild interactions with other drugs.
The drug interactions listed above are not all of the possible interactions or adverse effects. For more information on drug interactions, visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker.
It is important to always tell your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider of all prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, as well as the dosage for each, and keep a list of the information. Check with your doctor or health care provider if you have any questions about the medication.
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Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Maternal use of high doses or extended use of magnesium trisilicate has been associated with cardiovascular impairment, low muscle tone (hypotonia), kidney stones (nephrolithiasis), and respiratory distress in the fetus.
- There are no well-controlled studies on aluminum hydroxide in pregnant women.
- Heartburn and acid reflux during pregnancy are best managed with dietary and lifestyle changes. Restrict antacids to occasional use during pregnancy only if clearly needed and maternal benefits outweigh potential risks to the fetus.
- It is not known if aluminum hydroxide and magnesium trisilicate are present in breast milk. Use with caution in nursing mothers.
What else should I know about aluminum hydroxide/magnesium trisilicate?
- Take aluminum hydroxide/magnesium trisilicate exactly as per label instructions.
- Check with your doctor before taking OTC aluminum hydroxide/magnesium trisilicate if you are on a sodium or magnesium-restricted diet, or have impairment of kidney function.
- Do not self-medicate for longer than 14 days. If symptoms don’t resolve, discontinue the drug and consult with your physician.
- Store safely out of reach of children.
- In case of overdose, seek medical help or contact Poison Control.
QUESTION
GERD is the back up of stomach acid into the esophagus. See AnswerSummary
Aluminum hydroxide/magnesium trisilicate is a combination medication used to relieve symptoms of acid indigestion and heartburn due to acid reflux. Common side effects of aluminum hydroxide include stomach cramps, constipation, fecal impaction, hemorrhoids, nausea, vomiting, chalky taste, rebound hyperacidity, softening of bones (osteomalacia), and others. Common side effects of magnesium trisilicate include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, lethargy, drowsiness, lightheadedness, and high magnesium levels in blood (hypermagnesemia).
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Medications & Supplements
- aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, simethicone antacids
- lansoprazole (Heartburn Relief 24 Hour, Heartburn Treatment 24 Hour, Prevacid 24)
- aluminum hydroxide
- magnesium sulfate (antidote)
- aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide/simethicone
- aluminum hydroxide suspension - oral, Alternagel, Amphojel
- aluminum hydroxide - oral, Alu-Cap, Alu-Tab, Amphojel
Prevention & Wellness
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