Why Maalox tablets will help you recover and relieve symptoms if you have a sick stomach

Release form and composition of the drug Maalox

Chewable tablets Maalox

The medicine is available in the form of tablets or suspension. The former come in two forms: with sugar or without sugar. In liquid form, the suspension form can be used directly or in such a way that it becomes homogeneous after vigorous shaking.

Maalox uses two main active ingredients. This is magnesium hydroxide and also an algeldrate.

The tablets of the drug are chewable. Moreover, one tablet contains:

Magnesium hydroxide 400 mg.
Hydrated aluminum oxide 400 mg.
The tablets also contain as auxiliary elements: sorbitol, sodium saccharinate, mint flavor, magnesium stearate, starch with sucrose and other substances.

The composition of unsweetened chewable tablets is slightly different:

The active components here are the same as in the previous case.
The following additional components are used: non-crystallizing liquid sorbitol is present, magnesium stearate is present, there is maltitol, lemon flavor, as well as several flavorings (including acacia gum (E414), butylated hydroxyanisole (E320) and some others).

Now let's look at the composition of the suspension. It is intended for oral administration. One package of 15 milliliters of solution contains the following composition.

Magnesium hydroxide is present here in gel form (600 mg).
Aluminum hydroxide 525 mg. It is also in solution in the form of a gel.
Excipients: citric acid monohydrate, peppermint leaf oil, sodium saccharinate, mannitol, concentrated hydrochloric acid, methyl parahydroxybenzoate and sorbitol 70%, hydrogen peroxide 30% and purified water.

There is also a suspension of Maalox, which, after shaking, takes a homogeneous form. Here the container contains 100 milliliters of solution.

There is 3.5 grams of aluminum hydroxide gel here. This corresponds to a content of 2.3 grams of aluminum oxide.
Magnesium hydroxide is also available in gel form. Its quantity is 4 grams.
Additionally present: 10% hydrochloric acid solution, sodium saccharinate, 70% sorbitol, peppermint leaf oil, domiphene bromide, mannitol and citric acid monohydrate.

When can you drink alcohol if you are taking or have taken the drug?

The course of treatment with the drug is 2-3 months. This is a mandatory period of abstinence from alcoholic beverages.

After completing therapy, it is better to wait 5-7 days for the digestive system to start working on its own, without using the drug.

Then you can drink a small amount of high-quality alcohol. Failure to follow the recommendations may result in a repeat course and severe consequences.

This is a modern drug that is used to treat diseases of the digestive system. Popularity is associated with the effectiveness and variety of release forms.

What do Maalox tablets help with?

Maalox will help with heartburn

This medicine is effective in the following cases:

Exacerbation of stomach and duodenal ulcers.
Hiatal hernia.
In this way, dyspeptic disorders can be treated (examples include heartburn, epigastric discomfort or pain, or sour belching). They can be a consequence of the use of certain types of medications, or the result of poor diet or excessive alcohol consumption.
Reflux esophagitis is observed (we are talking about food entering the esophagus from the stomach).

It is important to emphasize that Maalox can be used not only for treatment, it will also be effective as a prophylactic against the occurrence of such diseases.

Consequences of drinking alcohol

The drug is well tolerated by patients. But this is only if the recommendations are followed. One of them is giving up alcohol during treatment.

List of consequences:

nausea;
urge to vomit;
the appearance of allergic reactions (itching, urticaria);
diarrhea or constipation;
pain in the abdomen;
dehydration due to fluid loss;
changing the taste of familiar foods.

With severe alcohol intoxication, anaphylactic shock is possible. You cannot combine the drug and large doses of alcohol-containing drinks.

In this case, the gastric mucosa experiences a double load:

the medicine does not work properly;
alcohol has a negative effect on the diseased organ.

It is safe to take the drug if you follow your doctor's recommendations.

Contraindications

Although this drug is an effective therapeutic and prophylactic agent, there are nevertheless contraindications for it:

If individual intolerance is observed.
It is not recommended to give this medicine to children under fifteen years of age.
If the patient suffers from renal failure, then using the drug can lead to serious consequences.
In the case when the patient has hypophosphatemia (a decrease in the level of phosphates in the blood below the minimum acceptable level).
In those where there is a deficiency of sucrose, isomaltose.
For fructose intolerance.
In case of glucose-galactose malabsorption.

Direct contraindications were listed above. If they are present, the medicine should not be used. However, you can give a list of situations where there is no categorical prohibition, but Maalox should be used with caution:

in the presence of any renal dysfunction;
if the patient has Alzheimer's disease;
during pregnancy or breastfeeding;
in case the patient's diet contains insufficient amounts of phosphates.

The third point is associated not so much with the possibility of negative consequences of using the drug, but with the fact that an insufficient number of clinical studies have been conducted to confirm the safety of use. Due to this circumstance, it is believed that some risk remains when using it.

The components contained in Maalox are capable of chemically binding phosphates in the patient’s body. Therefore, during treatment, it is important to eat in such a way that the food is rich in them. This will compensate for the decrease in phosphates in the blood.

Restrictions in case of impaired renal function are due to the fact that when using the medicine, additional amounts of magnesium and aluminum enter the body. During normal operation of this system, no problems arise and excess substances are eliminated from the body. However, if there are violations, the body becomes oversaturated with these two elements.

When can you take the drug, after how long

How soon can treatment begin is a common question.

It all depends on factors:

fortress;
amount of alcohol.

The withdrawal time for drinks is different: vodka – 17-20 hours, cognac – 22-26 hours. Treatment cannot be started before this time. Firstly, there is a high risk of side effects, and secondly, the therapy will have no effect.

How to speed up the withdrawal process:

cleansing the stomach (if alcohol has been taken recently and has not had time to be absorbed into the blood);
drink plenty of fluids (mineral water is suitable, the product makes the kidneys work at an accelerated rate);
the use of diuretics (you can prepare a decoction of herbs that have a special effect);
water procedures (pores open, ethyl alcohol is eliminated faster);
fresh air (accelerating lung ventilation is a quick way to cleanse the body).

Neglecting conditions is dangerous to health.

Directions for use and dosage

Maalox suspension

The drug Maalox is used to treat patients over 15 years of age. When taking the drug, it is recommended to chew the tablets thoroughly until they are completely absorbed. The usual time of administration is one or two hours after meals, as well as before bedtime. If you have reflux esophagitis, it is recommended to take the medicine a shorter time after eating.

It is allowed to take tablets if there is discomfort or discomfort in the stomach area. In this case, a single dose of one or two Maalox tablets is sufficient.

The suspension is offered to customers in two forms:

in a bottle;
in small opaque bags.

In the latter case, they must be thoroughly kneaded with your fingers before use. The medicine does not need to be dissolved in water. The contents of the sachet are taken orally. Take one or two hours after meals and immediately before bedtime. One sachet contains 15 grams of suspension.

If Maalox is taken for stomach pain, it is enough to use one sachet for an effective effect. In the presence of reflux esophagitis, the suspension is taken after 30 - 60 minutes. If the patient suffers from a peptic ulcer, take the medicine half an hour before meals.

There is a limit on the dose that can be taken in one day. It should not exceed six sachets or, what is the same, 90 grams of suspension.

Side effects

Maalox during pregnancy (the 1st trimester is often accompanied by symptoms of toxicosis, which may require the use of medication) often leads to the development of complications if used not according to instructions.

Cost and analogues

Analogs of Maalox include: Almagel, Gastal, Rennie, Ramni and Adzhiflux.

If you want to use one of the listed medications, you should consult your doctor, since each of them has its own characteristics, strengths and weaknesses.

Here are the prices for this medicine:

1 sachet of suspension will cost 23 rubles;
a pack of tablets, 20 pieces, without sugar, costs 200 rubles;
a package of six sachets of blackcurrant-flavored suspension costs 135 rubles.

Overdose

The drug is absorbed into the systemic bloodstream in minimal quantities, so it does not provoke an overdose when used correctly. Despite this, such cases have been recorded by specialists.

An overdose is accompanied by pain in the abdomen, as well as frequent loose stools, flatulence, and bloating. Symptoms aggravate the general condition, provoke weakness, headache and sleep disturbance. If signs of overdose appear, it is important to immediately stop taking the pills and visit a doctor.

Patients during pregnancy receive care in a hospital setting. Treatment in this case consists of replenishing fluid deficiency in the body and preventing the progression of symptoms. Sometimes enterosorbents are prescribed, which speed up the process of cleansing the body of product residues.

special instructions

Maalox during pregnancy (the 3rd trimester is considered the most difficult, and therefore often leads to the development of various dyspeptic disorders) should be used only if there are strict indications. The official instructions suggest prescribing with caution, as complications may develop.

During lactation, the medicine can also be used only according to strict indications. During therapy, you should regularly visit a doctor who will evaluate the effectiveness of therapy and possible complications.

If dyspeptic disorders do not disappear within 10 days, you must contact your doctor, who will determine the reason for the lack of therapeutic effect and, if necessary, prescribe a diagnostic examination.

Price

The cost of the product in packages is approximately 35-45 rubles. for 1 piece. The suspension in a bottle costs approximately 600 rubles.

The price of the tablets is approximately 150 rubles. for 10 pieces.

Maalox is considered an effective and relatively safe remedy against nausea and heartburn, which is used during pregnancy at different stages, as well as for the treatment of patients during lactation. It is noted that the 3rd trimester is most often accompanied by various dyspeptic disorders, but this is not considered a reason for uncontrolled use without a doctor’s prescription.

Drug interactions

During the gestation period, the use of medications is limited, but you should not combine an antacid with some medications. The medicine reduces the absorption of cardiac glycosides, beta-blockers, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

That is why it is recommended to take a break between doses of at least 2 hours. Such medications are rarely prescribed during pregnancy and lactation, but other patients often need them.

If it is necessary to prescribe the drug in combination with antibiotics, you should also take a break of at least 4 hours. In each case, the decision on the compatibility of drugs is made by the doctor.

Damage area	Common Complications
Nervous system	Complications from the nervous system do not develop as often. Some patients may report headache, weakness and dizziness. Symptoms may disappear on their own or lead to the development of other disorders. Special medications are not used during pregnancy to relieve symptoms
Digestive organs	From the digestive tract, complications occur most often, manifesting themselves in the form of pain in the stomach, as well as persistent constipation or loose stools, repeated vomiting during the day
urinary system	Increased urination and pain in the kidney area during treatment are observed in women who suffer from chronic pathologies of the urinary system
Leather	On the part of the skin, complications manifest themselves in the form of an allergic reaction. Women note the appearance of a rash on the body and limbs, severe itching and peeling of the skin. Symptoms worsen with long-term use of the medication and may also lead to the development of acute urticaria or other disorders.