Alka-Seltzer Products for Heartburn, Upset Stomach, and Hangover Relief

What do Alka-Seltzer products treat?

Alka-Seltzer products are used to treat symptoms caused by heartburn and upset stomach. The main active ingredients in these products are calcium carbonate, citric acid, and sodium bicarbonate. These ingredients are known as antacids. Antacids work quickly to neutralize the acid in your stomach. This can help relieve symptoms of heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour or upset stomach.

Some Alka-Seltzer products for heartburn and upset stomach may also contain simethicone to help relieve gas and bloating. 

There are Alka-Seltzer products for heartburn and upset stomach for adults and children as young as 12 years old.

There is also an Alka-Seltzer product for hangover relief that can be taken by adults as young as 18 years old. This product contains aspirin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), and caffeine. NSAIDs can work to help relieve pain such as headaches or body aches. Caffeine can also help with pain relief as well as keep you awake by stimulating your nervous system.

What should I know before using Alka-Seltzer products?

Check the label on the Alka-Seltzer product you are planning on taking, to make sure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients. 

Do not take more than the recommended dose of Alka-Seltzer. Follow the instructions on the label of the specific Alka-Seltzer product you are taking. If you are on a low salt diet or have high sodium levels, talk to your health care provider about taking an Alka-Seltzer product with sodium bicarbonate or about taking an Alka-Seltzer product for hangover relief, as this may increase the salt levels in your body.

Stop using Alka-Seltzer products for heartburn and upset stomach if you have taken the maximum dose of Alka-Seltzer for 2 weeks, and your symptoms have not improved or gotten worse. 

If you are taking an Alka-Seltzer product for hangover relief, you may be at higher risk of developing Reye’s syndrome (in children and teenagers) and stomach bleeding. Since this product also contains caffeine, you may also experience fast heart beat, irritability, nervousness, and sleeplessness, especially if you eat or drink anything with caffeine in it. Do not use Alka-Seltzer products for more than 2 days for hangover relief unless you are told so by your health care provider. If you experience any of the following while taking Alka-Seltzer for hangover relief, stop taking the medicine and call your health care provider.

• Dizziness
• Vomit blood or bloody poop
• Stomach pain that does not get better
• Pain that lasts for more than 10 days or gets worse
• Redness or swelling
• Ringing of the ears or hearing loss
• New symptoms occur