You Shouldn't Take Antacids With These Common Medications

After eating a steaming bowl of spaghetti or slice of pepperoni pizza, some people experience a burning sensation in their throats or chest. That burning sensation is called heartburn and usually happens as a result of acid reflux, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Acid reflux occurs when the valve on the end of your esophagus doesn't completely close after eating a meal. This causes acid from the stomach to backflow into the esophagus and causes heartburn. When acid reflux occurs on a frequent basis, it is a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.

Antacids are some of the most utilized treatments for acid reflux. According to Healthline, antacids are over-the-counter medications that provide relief of acid reflux, heartburn, and indigestion by neutralizing stomach acid. Antacids are available in several forms such as chewable gummies, liquids, and tablets that dissolve in water. They also come in a variety of flavors. Although antacids are popular, they may cause complications when taken with other medications.

When taking medications, no matter how common they are, some medications can cause negative side effects when combined with others. According to Everyday Health, antacids may contain calcium carbonate, calcium citrate, sodium bicarbonate, aluminum, or magnesium. Some brand names of antacids are Tums, Maalox, Citrical, Alka-Seltzer, and Rolaids. The ingredients in antacids can combine with other common medications in your medicine cabinet and create issues for your health.

When antacids are taken with acidic drugs like Thorazine, they reduce the effectiveness of those drugs. Taking antacids with pseudoephedrine medications like Sudafed and Claritin D can increase absorption and lead to blood toxicity. Antacids that contain magnesium trisilicate and magnesium hydroxide can bind to drugs like tetracycline and reduce absorption (via Rx List). Alka-Seltzer contains aspirin which can cause internal bleeding, especially if you take anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications, according to Healthline.

In some cases, it's common for people to take antacids daily, but if you've been taking them for more than two weeks without improvements, Everyday Health notes that you should visit your doctor.