What types of patients should avoid antacids?

Answer 1

People who get constipated easily, people who have renal (kidney) problems as antacids can increase the chance of kidney stones and may cause osteoporosis. Also, if you are on any medication, you should check to make sure that the antacid is not affecting the absorption of the drug. Antacids are not to be used as a long term treatment strategy. Long term strategy would include diet change and medication such as proton pump inhibitors (PPI's) or Histamine Receptor Agonists.

Answer 2

But you do have to be careful on how much you eat if you have diabetes. I can only have half of a medium banana or my blood sugar really goes out of whack. But I have to wonder if my banana consumption is what helped me recover from my stroke. One more thing, did you know that bananas, though viewed and used as fruit, are not fruit? Because the trees are grown from the rhizomes, bananas are actually an herb. Have to say, it's the best tasting herb I've ever eaten.

Answer 3

I'm not sure, but no one should really on antacids for a long period of time. It's not good for your health.

Answer 4

Examples of antacids (brand names may vary in different countries).
* Aluminum hydroxide (Amphojel®, AlternaGEL®)
* Magnesium hydroxide (Phillips’® Milk of Magnesia)
* Aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide (Maalox®, Mylanta®)
* Aluminum carbonate gel (Basaljel®)
* Calcium carbonate (Alcalak®, Calcium Rich Rolaids®, Quick-Eze®, Rennie®, Titralac®, Tums®)
* Sodium bicarbonate (Bicarbonate of soda, Alka-Seltzer®)
* Hydrotalcite (Mg6Al2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4(H2O); Talcid®)
* Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)
* Magaldrate + Simethicone (Pepsil)
Side effects:-
* Aluminum hydroxide: may lead to the formation of insoluble aluminum-phosphate-complexes, with a risk for hypophosphatemia and osteomalacia. Although aluminum has a low gastrointestinal absorption, accumulation may occur in the presence of renal insufficiency. Aluminum-containing drugs may cause obstipation.
* Magnesium hydroxide: has laxative properties. Magnesium may accumulate in patients with renal failure leading to hypermagnesemia, with cardiovascular and neurological complications.
* Carbonate: regular high doses may cause alkalosis, which in turn may result in altered excretion of other drugs, and kidney stones. A chemical reaction between the carbonate and hydrochloric acid may produce carbon dioxide gas. This causes gastric distension which may not be well tolerated.
* Calcium: compounds containing calcium may increase calcium output in the urine, which might be associated to renal stones. Calcium salts may cause obstipation.
* Sodium: increased intake of sodium may be deleterious for arterial hypertension, heart failure and many renal diseases