6 mins read

Overview: Maalox is used to help relieve symptoms of an upset stomach, heartburn, acid indigestion, sour stomach, gas, or feeling bloated. Maalox is usually well tolerated, but you may have diarrhea or constipation when taking it. Different Maalox products may have different ingredients. Read the label to find out what ingredients your product has, and ask your pharmacist or other health care provider if you have any questions.

Uses

What is Maalox used for?

Maalox is commonly used to help relieve symptoms of an upset stomach, heartburn, acid indigestion, sour stomach, gas, or feeling bloated.

Maalox may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

Note: Brand-name versions of Maalox have been discontinued and are no longer available in the United States, but generic forms are still available.

How does Maalox work (mechanism of action)?

Maalox works to reduce symptoms of an upset stomach, heartburn, bloating, or gas in a few ways. The active ingredients in most Maalox products are aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and simethicone. Some Maalox products may have other ingredients, such as calcium carbonate, along with or instead of these ingredients. Always check the label to see what ingredients your product has.

Aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate, and magnesium hydroxide are antacids that work by neutralizing stomach acid. This helps reduce indigestion, heartburn, or sour stomach. Simethicone is an anti-gas medicine that works by helping small gas bubbles in your gut come together. This can make it easier for gas to pass through your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which can help relieve pressure and bloating.

How is Maalox supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Maalox

Example dosage forms and strengths

  • 200 mg/200 mg/20 mg per 5 milliliter (mL) oral liquid
  • 400 mg/400 mg/40 mg per 5 milliliter (mL) oral liquid

How should I store Maalox?

Store Maalox according to the package labeling. Most medicines should be kept in a cool, dry place that is out of reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight. Avoid freezing it. If you are unsure how to store Maalox, ask your pharmacist.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Maalox?

The most common side effects of Maalox are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Diarrhea (usually from magnesium)
  • Constipation (usually from aluminum)
  • Stomach cramps
  • Decreased appetite
  • Nausea

There may be other side effects of Maalox that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Maalox?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Maalox are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Maalox may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Maalox and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown, depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Maalox?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Maalox.

  • Aluminum hydroxide
  • Calcium carbonate
  • Maalox
  • Magnesium hydroxide
  • Simethicone
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Maalox.

What should I know about Maalox before using it?

There may be multiple forms of Maalox, and they may have different ingredients or be taken in different ways. If you are not sure which Maalox product to take, talk to your health care provider.

Read and follow the directions on your Maalox package or take it as your health care provider recommends. Do not take more than the recommended dose. Do not take the maximum dose for more than two weeks unless your health care provider tells you to. Taking too much can cause side effects.

If you are taking Maalox liquid, follow any instructions about shaking it well before measuring your dose. This helps to make sure you get the right amount of medicine. Use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist what measuring device to use.

Maalox liquid may have a chalky taste. To reduce this, you can mix liquid Maalox with water or milk. If you have questions about how to do this, talk with your pharmacist.

If you are taking Maalox chewable tablets, chew them completely before swallowing them. You should drink a full glass of water with each dose. 

Keep Maalox out of the reach of children.

If you still have heartburn or other gut-related symptoms for two weeks or longer, contact your health care provider. They may recommend a different medicine or want to see if something more serious is going on.

Maalox may affect how other medicines work. You may need to take Maalox at a different time than other medicines. Your health care provider can let you know when to take each medicine.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Maalox?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Maalox is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

Low-Magnesium or Low-Sodium Diet. Tell your health care provider if you are on a low-magnesium or low-sodium diet. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take Maalox if you're on a restricted diet.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Maalox may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Maalox, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Ingredients in Maalox can vary by product. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take Maalox while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Ingredients in Maalox can vary by product. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take Maalox while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does Maalox interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Maalox and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Maalox, but alcohol can lead to heartburn or other stomach problems. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink while you are taking Maalox.

Does Maalox interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Maalox may affect the absorption of many other medicines. Check with your health care provider and tell them about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Maalox?

If you or someone else has used too much Maalox, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Maalox?

Maalox is meant to be used only when needed. Take it according to the package directions or as your health care provider recommends. Do not take double or extra doses.