Antacids (Oral)

Proper Use of This Medicine

For patients taking the chewable tablet form of this medicine:

• Chew the tablets well before swallowing. This is to allow the medicine to work faster and be more effective.

For patients taking this medicine for a stomach or duodenal ulcer :

• Take it exactly as directed and for the full time of treatment as ordered by your doctor , to obtain maximum relief of your symptoms.
• Take it 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime for best results, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

For patients taking aluminum carbonate or aluminum hydroxide to prevent kidney stones :

• Drink plenty of fluids for best results, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

For patients taking aluminum carbonate or aluminum hydroxide for hyperphosphatemia (too much phosphate in the blood):

• Your doctor may want you to follow a low-phosphate diet. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Dosing - The dose of an antacid will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label .

Missed dose - If your doctor has told you to take this medicine on a regular schedule and you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store the capsule, tablet, or lozenge form of this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Keep the liquid or gel form of this medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.