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AHFS Consumer Medication Information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): American Society of Health-System Pharmacists; 2000-2011.

AHFS Consumer Medication Information.

Aluminum Hydroxide(a loo' mi num) (hye drox' ide)

Last Revision: February 11, 2012.

Why is this medication prescribed?

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

How should this medicine 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.

What special precautions should I follow?

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 should I do if I 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.

What side effects can this medication cause?

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

  • constipation

  • loss of appetite

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/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

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.

What other information should I know?

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.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2011. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

The following brand names are from RxNorm, a standardized nomenclature for clinical drugs produced by the National Library of Medicine:

Brand names

  • Aloh-Gel

  • Alternagel

  • Alu-Cap

  • Alu-Tab

  • Amphojel

  • Basaljel

  • Dialume

Brand names of combination products

  • Acid Gone (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and magnesium carbonate)

  • Acid Gone Antacid (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and magnesium trisilicate)

  • Acid Gone Extra Strength (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and magnesium carbonate)

  • Alamag (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide)

  • Alamag Plus Reformulated Mar 2010 (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Aldroxicon (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Aldroxicon II (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Alenic Alka (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and magnesium carbonate)

  • Alenic Alka Chewable Tablet (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and magnesium trisilicate)

  • Alginic Compound (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and magnesium trisilicate)

  • Almacone (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Almacone-2 (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Alumina and Magnesia (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide)

  • Alumina/Magnesia/Simethicone (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Antacid DS (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Antacid I (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Antacid II (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Antacid M (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide)

  • Antacid M Plus (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Balanta (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Balox Plus (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Comfort Gel (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Di-Gel (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Dixlanta (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Foamicon (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and magnesium trisilicate)

  • Foaming Antacid (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and magnesium trisilicate)

  • Gaviscon (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and magnesium carbonate)

  • Gaviscon Chewable 80/14.2 (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and magnesium trisilicate)

  • Gaviscon Chewable Tablet (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and magnesium trisilicate)

  • Gaviscon Extra Strength (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and magnesium carbonate)

  • Gaviscon Extra Strength Liquid (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and magnesium carbonate)

  • Gaviscon-2 (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and magnesium trisilicate)

  • Gelusil (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Gen-Alox (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide)

  • Gen-Lanta (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Gen-Lanta II (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Genaton (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and magnesium carbonate)

  • Genaton Chewable (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and magnesium trisilicate)

  • Kudrox (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide)

  • Low Sodium Plus (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • M.A.H. (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide)

  • Maalox (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide)

  • Maalox HRF (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide)

  • Maalox Max (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Maalox Plus (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Maalox Plus Extra Strength (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Maalox T.C. (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide)

  • Magaant (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Magagel (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide)

  • Magagel Plus (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Magalox Plus (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Magnalox (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide)

  • Maldroxal (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide)

  • Maldroxal Maximum Strength (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Maldroxal Plus (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Masanti (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Masanti DS (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Masanti II (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Mi-Acid (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Mi-Acid II (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Milantex (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Mintox (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide)

  • Mintox Maximum Strength (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Mintox Plus (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Mygel (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Mygel II (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Mylagel (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Mylagel II (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Mylagen (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Mylagen-II (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Mylanta (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Mylanta Ultimate (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide)

  • Nephrox (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and Mineral Oil)

  • Ri-Gel II (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Ri-Mox (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide)

  • Ri-Mox Plus (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Riginic (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and magnesium carbonate)

  • Rulox #1 (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide)

  • Rulox #2 (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide)

  • Rulox Plus (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Rx-Act Antacid (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Rx-Act Antacid Extra Strength (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and magnesium carbonate)

  • Simaal Gel (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Tempo brand of antacid Reformulated Feb 2009 (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Uni-Antacid (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and magnesium trisilicate)

  • Uni-Lan (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Uni-Lan II (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Urban DS (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Urban tradename (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Valu-Foam (containing Aluminum Hydroxide and magnesium trisilicate)

  • Valumag Plus (containing Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

What works?

  • Interventions for bone disease in children with chronic kidney disease Interventions for bone disease in children with chronic kidney disease
    Chronic kidney disease (CKD) resulting in reduced kidney function and the need for dialysis and kidney transplant is associated with abnormalities in blood calcium and phosphorus levels leading to high levels of the parathyroid hormone (PTH) and to bone disease. This may result in bone deformities, bone pain, fractures and reduced growth rates. Commonly used treatments (Vitamin D compounds and phosphate binders) aim to prevent or correct these outcomes. However these treatments may raise levels of blood calcium, allow calcium and phosphorus deposition in blood vessels and lead to early cardiovascular disease, which is known to be a problem in adults with CKD. This review identified only 15 small RCTs involving 369 children comparing different vitamin D compounds, different routes and frequencies of administration of vitamin D compounds and different phosphate binders. Only five RCTs reported on growth rates and no differences were detected between treatments. Renal bone disease, as assessed by changes in PTH levels, was improved by all vitamin D preparations regardless of preparation used or the route or frequency of administration. Fewer episodes of high blood calcium levels and lower overall serum calcium levels occurred with the non calcium‐containing binder, sevelamer, compared with calcium‐containing binders. As newer treatments for renal bone disease are developed, comparisons with the current standard therapies will be required in well designed RCTs in children using outcome measures including those of direct clinical relevance to children and their families such as rates of growth, reduction in bone fractures and bone pain and reduction in calcification in blood vessels.
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Conditions of interest

  • Peptic ulcer
    A peptic ulcer is a defect in the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine, an area called the duodenum.
  • Hypothyroidism
    Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone.

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