MAALOX Aluminum Hydroxide / Magnesium Hydroxide 225mg / 200mg per 5mL Suspension 180mL
Indications/Uses
Oral susp: As an antacid for the symptomatic relief of hyperacidity in general.
Dosage/Direction for Use
Oral susp: Administered orally.
Two to four teaspoonfuls (10-20 mL) four times a day taken 20 minute to 1 hour after meals and at bedtime or as directed by the physician. May be followed with milk or water.
Overdosage
Large doses of this product may trigger or aggravate intestinal obstruction and ileus in patients at risk (see Warnings).
Management: Aluminum and magnesium are eliminated through urinary route; treatment of acute overdose consists of rehydration, forced diuresis. In case of renal function deficiency, haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis is necessary.
Oral susp: Serious symptoms are unlikely following overdosage.
Administration
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active ingredients or to any of the excipients.
Oral susp: Use in severely debilitated patients or in those suffering from kidney failure.
Warnings
Aluminum hydroxide is not well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and systemic effects are therefore rare in patients with normal renal function. However, excessive doses or long-term use, or even normal doses in patients with low-phosphorus diets or in infants less than 2 years, may lead to phosphate depletion (due to aluminum-phosphate binding) accompanied by increased bone resorption and hypercalciuria with the risk of osteomalacia. Medical advice is recommended in case of long-term use or in patients at risk of phosphate depletion.
In patients with renal impairment, plasma levels of both aluminum and magnesium increase. In these patients, a long-term exposure to high doses of aluminum and magnesium salts may lead to encephalopathy, dementia, microcytic anemia, or worsen dialysis-induced osteomalacia.
Aluminum hydroxide may be unsafe in patients with porphyria undergoing hemodialysis.
Oral susp: Do not take more than 16 teaspoonful (80 mL) in a 24-hour period or use the maximum dosage for more than two weeks. Do not use if you have kidney disease except under the advise and supervision of a physician.
Special Precautions
Care should be observed if used by diabetics because of the sugar content in the tablet.
Oral susp: Aluminum hydroxide may cause constipation due to its astringent action, this effect may be balanced by the cathartic effect of the magnesium salts.
Aluminum hydroxide may lead to a phosphate depletion syndrome, particularly in patients on a low phosphate diet eg, malnutrition.
Magnesium salts may cause central nervous depression in the presence of renal insufficiency and should be used with caution in patients with advance renal disease.
In patients with renal impairment, plasma levels of both aluminum and magnesium increase. In these patients, a long-term exposure to high doses of aluminum and magnesium salts may lead to encephalopathy or worsen dialysis osteomalacia.
The prolonged use of antacids in patients with renal failure should be avoided.
Effects on the Ability to Drive or Operate Machinery: None.
Use in pregnancy: Maalox should not be used during pregnancy unless considered essential by the physician.
Use In Pregnancy & Lactation
Oral susp: Use in pregnancy: Maalox should not be used during pregnancy unless considered essential by the physician.
Adverse Reactions
Side effects are uncommon at recommended doses.
Immune system disorders: Frequency unknown: hypersensitivity reactions, such as pruritus, urticaria, angioedema and anaphylactic reactions.
Gastrointestinal disorders: Uncommon: diarrhea or constipation (see Warnings).
Metabolism and nutrition disorders: Frequency unknown: hypermagnesemia, hyperaluminemia, hypophosphatemia, in prolonged use or at high doses or even normal doses of the product in patients with low-phosphorus diets or in infants less than 2 years, which may result in increased bone resorption, hypercalciuria, osteomalacia (see Warnings).
Oral susp: Gastrointestinal side effects are uncommon.
Occasionally, high doses of antacids may cause diarrhea or constipation.
Caution For Usage
Incompatibilities: Not applicable.
Storage
Oral susp: Once opened, use within 28 days of opening.
Shelf-Life: 2 years.
Action
Pharmacodynamics: Maalox is a balanced mixture of 2 antacids: Aluminum hydroxide is a slow-acting antacid and magnesium hydroxide is fast acting. The 2 are frequently combined in antacid mixtures. Aluminum hydroxide on its own is astringent and may cause constipation. This effect is balanced by the effect of magnesium hydroxide, which, in common with other magnesium salts, may cause diarrhea.
Pharmacokinetics: The absorption of aluminium and magnesium from antacids is small. Aluminum hydroxide is slowly converted to aluminium chloride in the stomach. Some absorption of soluble aluminium salts occur in the gastrointestinal tract with urinary excretion. Any absorbed magnesium is likewise excreted in the urine.
Toxicology: Preclinical Safety Data: Not relevant.
MedsGo Class
Features
- Aluminum
- Magnesium