DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Aspirin Effervescent Tablets (AS-pir-in)
Brand Name: Examples include Alka-Seltzer and Medi-Seltzer

Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets is used for:

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

Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets is an antacid and analgesic combination. Aspirin, the analgesic, works by inhibiting several different chemical processes within the body causing pain and inflammation. The antacid works by neutralizing stomach acid and relieving symptoms.

Do NOT use Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets
• you are a child or teenager with influenza (flu) or chickenpox
• you have bleeding problems such as hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, or low blood platelets
• you are taking oral anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), arginine derivatives (eg, argatroban), or methotrexate

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

Before using Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets:

Some medical conditions may interact with Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets. 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 medicine, foods, or other substances
• if you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, dizziness) to aspirin, tartrazine, or an nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) (eg, ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib)
• if you have alcoholism or if you consume 3 or more alcohol-containing drinks every day
• if you have asthma, bleeding or clotting problems, growths in the nose (nasal polyps), kidney or liver problems, stomach or peptic ulcers (bleeding ulcers), heartburn, upset stomach, stomach pain, influenza (flu) or chickenpox, or vitamin K deficiency
• if you have a history of stroke, a weakened blood vessel (cerebral aneurysm) or bleeding in the brain, or Kawasaki syndrome (a rare inflammation causing heart problems in children)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (eg, acetazolamide) or griseofulvin because the effectiveness of Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets may be decreased
• NSAIDs (eg, ibuprofen, celecoxib) because the effectiveness of Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets may be decreased and the side effects of both medicines may be increased including stomach irritation and risk of bleeding
• Activated protein C, oral anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), arginine derivatives (eg, argatroban), ginkgo biloba extract, or heparin because side effects, including risk of bleeding, may be increased by Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets
• Insulin or oral antidiabetics (eg, glyburide, nateglinide) because side effects, including abnormally low blood sugar level (eg, hunger, shakiness or weakness, dizziness, headache, sweating), may be increased by Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets
• Methotrexate and valproic acid because the actions and side effects may be increased by Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets.
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril), beta-blockers (eg, metoprolol, propranolol), bisphosphonates (eg, etidronate), nitrates (nitroglycerin), probenecid, or sulfinpyrazone because effectiveness may be decreased by Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets 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 Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets:

Use Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Do not remove the medicine from the package until you are ready to use. Make sure that your hands are dry when you open Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets.
• Do not swallow the tablets. Place the tablet in a glass and add about 4 ounces (120 mL) of cold water. Allow the tablet to dissolve completely, then drink all the liquid. Do not chew or swallow the tablets.
• If you miss a dose of Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets 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 Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets.

Important safety information:

• Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets contains aspirin. Before you begin taking any new prescription or nonprescription medicine, read the ingredients to see if it also contains an aspirin-like medicine. If it does or if you are uncertain, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
• If you consume 3 or more alcohol-containing drinks every day, ask your doctor whether you should take Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets or other pain relievers/fever reducers. Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets may cause stomach bleeding. Alcohol use combined with Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets may increase your risk for stomach bleeding.
• Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. To prevent bleeding, avoid situations in which bruising or injury may occur. Report any unusual bleeding, bruising, blood in stools, or dark, tarry stools to your doctor.
• Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets contains aspirin, which has been linked to Reye syndrome. Do not give Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets to children or teenagers during or after chickenpox, flu, or other viral infections without checking with your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
• Phenylketonuria patients - Some brands of Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets may contain phenylalanine. Read the label or ask your pharmacist if you are unsure.
• Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets contains sodium. Include Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets when counting your daily intake of sodium.
• If Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets has a strong vinegar-like smell upon opening, or if Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets does not fizz when placed in water, it means the medicine is breaking down. Throw the medicine away safely and out of the reach of children; contact your pharmacist and replace.
• Do not take Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets for at least 7 days after any surgery unless directed by your health care provider.
• Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets.
• Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets is not recommended for use in CHILDREN younger than 12 years of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets during pregnancy. Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets is not recommended during the last 3 months (third trimester) of pregnancy due to the potential for fetal harm or complications during delivery. Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets:

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:

Heartburn; nausea; upset stomach.

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

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody or black stools; confusion; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; hearing loss; ringing in the ears; severe stomach pain; unusual bruising; 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. Symptoms may include agitation; fever; hearing loss; lethargy; lightheadedness, especially upon standing; nausea; rapid breathing; rapid or irregular heartbeat; ringing in the ears; seizures; shortness of breath; stomach pain; vomiting.

Proper storage of Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets:

Store Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets 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 Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Tablets. 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.