Aluminum Hydroxide (patient information)

Why this medication is prescribed
Aluminum hydroxide is used for the relief of heartburn, sour stomach, and peptic ulcer pain and to promote the healing of peptic ulcers.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How this medication should be used
Aluminum hydroxide comes as a capsule, a tablet, and an oral liquid and suspension. The dose and frequency of use depend on the condition being treated. The suspension needs to be shaken well before administration. Follow the directions on the package or prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.

Other uses for this medicine
Aluminum hydroxide is also used sometimes to decrease the amount of phosphate in the blood of patients with kidney disease. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.

Special Precautions
Before taking aluminum hydroxide:


 * tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to aluminum hydroxide or any other drugs.
 * tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially allopurinol (Lopurin, Zyloprim), alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium, Mitran, and others), chloroquine (Aralen), cimetidine (Tagamet), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate, dexamethasone (Decadron and others), diazepam (Valium, Valrelease, and Zetran), diflunisal (Dolobid), digoxin (Lanoxin), ethambutol (Myambutol), famotidine (Pepcid), halazepam (Paxipam), hydrocortisone (Cortone, Hydrocortone), isoniazid (Laniazid, Nydrazid), levothyroxine (Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid, and others), lorazepam (Ativan), methylprednisolone (Medrol), oxazepam (Serax), penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), products containing iron, tetracycline (Sumycin, Tetracap, and others), ticlopidine (Ticlid), and vitamins.
 * be aware that aluminum hydroxide may interfere with other medicines, making them less effective. Take your other medications 1 hour before or 2 hours after aluminum hydroxide.
 * tell your doctor if you have or have ever had hypertension, heart or kidney disease, or gastrointestinal bleeding.
 * tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking aluminum hydroxide, call your doctor.

What to do if you forget a dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Minor Side Effects
Aluminum hydroxide may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if these symptoms are severe or do not go away:


 * constipation
 * loss of appetite

Severe Side Effects
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:


 * confusion
 * unusual tiredness or discomfort
 * muscle weakness

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Storage conditions needed for this medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

Other information
Do not use aluminum hydroxide for more than 2 weeks unless your doctor tells you to do so.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Brand names

 * AlternaGEL®
 * Alu-Cap®
 * Alu-Tab®
 * Amphojel®
 * Dialume®
 * Nephrox®