DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate (al-JIN-ik AS-id/a-LOO-min-um/mag-NEE-zee-um/SO-dee-um bye-KAR-boe-nate)
Brand Name: Examples include Gaviscon-2 and Genaton

Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate is used for:

Treating acid indigestion, heartburn, and sour stomach. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate is an antacid. It works by neutralizing acid in the stomach.

Do NOT use Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate
• you have alkalosis (too little acid in the body) or low blood levels of calcium or chloride
• you are vomiting
• you are also taking citrate salts (found in some calcium supplements, antacids, and laxatives)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate :

Some medical conditions may interact with Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have Alzheimer disease, appendicitis, diarrhea, a stomach blockage, kidney or liver problems, or an ileostomy
• if you have congestive heart failure, decreased urination, swelling (fluid retention), or rectal bleeding of unknown cause
• if you have recently had stomach bleeding
• if you are on a low salt diet

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Cation exchange resins (eg, sodium polystyrene sulfonate) or citrate salts (found in some calcium supplements, antacids, and laxatives) because they may increase the actions and the risk of Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate 's side effects
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), quinidine, sulfonylureas (eg, glyburide), or sympathomimetics (eg, pseudoephedrine) because their actions and the risk of their side effects may be increased
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril), anorexiants (eg, amphetamine), beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), bisphosphonates (eg, risedronate), cephalosporins (eg, cephalexin), corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), corticotropin, cyclosporine, delavirdine, digoxin, imidazoles (eg, ketoconazole), lithium, mycophenolate, penicillamine, quinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin), tetracyclines (eg, doxycycline), or thyroid hormones (eg, levothyroxine) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate , especially when taken at the same time as Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate :

Use Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate by mouth with or without food.
• Chew thoroughly before swallowing.
• Do not use Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate within 2 hours before or after taking a beta-blocker (eg, propranolol), bisphosphonate (eg, risedronate), cephalosporin (eg, cephalexin), corticosteroid (eg, hydrocortisone), delavirdine, digoxin, imidazole (eg, ketoconazole), penicillamine, or sulfonylurea (eg, glyburide) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate .
• If you miss a dose of Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate and you are taking it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate .

Important safety information:

• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or take the maximum dose for longer than 2 weeks without checking with your doctor.
• If your symptoms do not get better within 2 weeks or if they get worse, or if you experience black, tarry stools or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, check with your doctor.
• Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate has aluminum and magnesium in it. Before you begin taking any new prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read the ingredients to see has aluminum or magnesium in it too. If it does or if you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate while you are pregnant. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; diarrhea.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); loss of appetite; muscle weakness; nausea; slow reflexes; vomiting.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate :

Store Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Alginic Acid/Aluminum/Magnesium/Sodium Bicarbonate . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.