Description
This Maalox Suspension is a treatment that works to reduce the effects of indigestion. This solution contains 2 different ingredients, which are:
- Aluminium hydroxide
- Magnesium hydroxide
Both these ingredients are called antacids. Antacids reduce the acidity of stomach acid, which helps to reduce indigestion, an upset stomach, and heartburn.
What is indigestion?
Indigestion is a condition that can affect anyone. It is felt by pain and discomfort in the stomach but also the chest and throat. Symptoms of indigestion include:
- Heartburn
- Feeling full or bloated
- Feeling sick
- Belching and passing wind
- Bringing up food
The stomach acid irritating the stomach is the main cause of indigestion, but it can also be caused by medicines, smoking, or alcohol. It can also be caused by certain conditions.
Uses / Instructions
- Shake well before use to ensure the product is mixed properly
- Take this medicine by mouth
- If necessary, Maalox suspension may be taken with water or milk
Adults, the elderly and children aged 14 years or older:
Take two to four 5ml teaspoonfuls. Take 20 minutes to 1 hour after meals and at bedtime.
Maalox suspension is not recommended for children less than 14 years of age
Warnings
- If you take more Maalox suspension than you should, talk to your doctor or go to a hospital straight away. Remember to take any medicine that is left with you, so the doctor knows what you have taken.
- If an overdose is taken you may experience the following: diarrhoea, stomach pain or you may get a bloated feeling and cramping pain in the abdomen (stomach), be sick (vomit), have indigestion, heartburn, upset stomach, constipation, loss of appetite, dry mouth. This could be caused by an obstruction or blockage of the bowel (ileus).
Do not take Maalox suspension:
- If you are allergic to aluminium hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide or any of the other ingredients in Maalox suspension (please see leaflet enclosed with your medicine). Signs of an allergic reaction include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue
- If you are feeling very weak and have no energy (debilitated)
- If you have kidney problems. Long term exposure to high doses of Maalox suspension can lead to dementia.
- If you have severe stomach pain
- If your bowel is partially or fully blocked
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine:
- If you are on a low-phosphorous diet Maalox suspension and other medicines Maalox suspension should not be taken at the same time as other medicines. This is because Maalox suspension can affect the way other medicines work. Some medicines may be affected by magnesium hydroxide or they may affect how well magnesium hydroxide will work.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are already taking: – salicylates.
In particular, Maalox suspension can affect the following medicines:
- Some medicines used to treat infections such as tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, rifampicin and ketoconazole
- Medicines for malaria such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine
- Chlorpromazine – used for mental illness (psychosis)
- Vitamins
- Polystyrene sulphonate – used to treat high levels of potassium in the blood
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine:
- If you are pregnant, might become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant. You should not take Maalox suspension during the first three months of pregnancy
- You are breast-feeding or planning to breastfeed
Maalox suspension contains sorbitol (E420). If you have been told by your doctor that you cannot tolerate or digest some sugars, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine Maalox suspension contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per 5 ml dose, i.e. essentially ‘sodium free
Side Effects
Serious side effects
It is not known how frequently these side effects occur
Stop taking Maalox suspension and see a doctor or go to a hospital straight away if:
You have a red and lumpy skin rash, swollen eyelids, face, lips, mouth or tongue, itching and difficulty breathing or swallowing. This could be an allergic reaction.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects get serious or lasts longer than a few days.
Uncommon side effects These may affect up to 1 in 100 people
Very rare side effects
These may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people
- Hypermagnesemia, including observations after prolonged administration to patients with renal impairment.
Not known
It is not known how frequently these side effects occur
- Hypophosphatemia is an electrolyte disturbance in which there is an abnormally low level of phosphate in the body. This may occur at high doses of the product or even at normal doses especially in patients with low phosphorous diets
- Abdominal pain
- Hyperaluminemia is an electrolyte disturbance in which there is an abnormally elevated level of aluminium in the body
Like all medications, Maalox suspension can have side effects, however not everyone will experience these. If you are concerned about any of these side effects or any other side effects, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
Ingredients
Active ingredients: each 5ml of suspension contains 175mg aluminium hydroxide, 200mg magnesium hydroxide
Other ingredients: hydrochloric acid, citric acid monohydrate, peppermint oil, mannitol (E421), domiphen bromide, saccharin sodium, sorbitol liquid (E420), hydrogen peroxide and purified water.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.