Medically reviewed by Kovalenko Svetlana Olegovna, PharmD. Last updated on 30.05.2022
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Aluminum is a naturally occurring mineral. Alternagel is an antacid.
Alternagel is used to treat symptoms of increased stomach acid, such as heartburn, upset stomach, sour stomach, or acid indigestion. Alternagel is also used to reduce phosphate levels in people with certain kidney conditions.
Alternagel may be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Usual Adult Dose for Dyspepsia
500 to 600 mg orally 4 to 6 times a day as needed, between meals and at bedtime.
Usual Adult Dose for Duodenal Ulcer
500 to 1500 mg orally 4 to 6 times a day as needed, between meals and at bedtime.
Usual Adult Dose for Erosive Esophagitis
500 to 1500 mg orally 4 to 6 times a day as needed, between meals and at bedtime.
Usual Adult Dose for Gastric Ulcer
500 to 1500 mg orally 4 to 6 times a day as needed, between meals and at bedtime.
Usual Adult Dose for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
500 to 1500 mg orally 4 to 6 times a day as needed, between meals and at bedtime.
Usual Adult Dose for Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
500 to 3600 mg orally 4 to 6 times a day as needed, between meals and at bedtime.
Usual Adult Dose for Hyperphosphatemia
500 to 1000 mg orally 4 times a day, with meals and at bedtime. The dosage should be titrated to the serum phosphate level.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage
G.I. hemorrhage prophylaxis:
0 to 4 weeks: 1 mL/kg orally every 4 hours as needed.
4 weeks to 1 year: 2 to 5 mL/dose every 1 to 2 hours, titrate to gastric pH > 3.5.
1 to 12 years: 5 to 15 mL/dose orally every 1 to 2 hours, titrate to gastric pH > 3.5.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Hyperphosphatemia
1 to 12 years: use Al(OH)3 or aluminum carbonate gel product only: 50 to 150 mg/kg/day orally (as Alternagel gel) administered in equally divided doses every 4 to 6 hours; titrate to normal serum phosphate level.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Peptic Ulcer
1 month to 1 year: 1 to 2 mL/kg/dose orally 1 to 3 hours after meals and at bedtime.
1 year to 12 years: 5 to 15 mL orally every 3 to 6 hours or 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime.
Precautions
Patients with renal failure may accumulate aluminum with chronic use. Serum aluminum levels should be monitored or another antacid chosen.
Other Comments
Patients with Helicobacter pylori-associated ulcerative disease should be considered for anti-Helicobacter therapy (often bismuth salts, metronidazole and other antimicrobials).
See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Alternagel?
Conditions affecting use, especially:
Sensitivity to aluminum, magnesium, simethicone, pregnancy, use in children, use in the elderly, possible aggravation of metabolic bone disease, possible exacerbation of Alzheimer’ s disease, other medications, especially: cellulose sodium phosphate, Fluoroquinolones, Isoniazid oral, Ketoconazole, Mecamylamine, Methenamine, sodium polystyrene sulfonate resin, Tetracyclines oral, other medical problems, especially: Alzheimer’ s disease, Appendicitis symptoms of constipation or fecal impaction or intestinal obstruction, Edematous conditions, Hemorrhoids, Hypophosphatemia, Ileostomy, Renal function impairment.
This medication is used to treat the symptoms of too much stomach acid such as stomach upset, heartburn, and acid indigestion. Aluminum and magnesium antacids work quickly to lower the acid in the stomach. Liquid antacids usually work faster/better than tablets or capsules.
This medication works only on existing acid in the stomach. It does not prevent acid production. It may be used alone or with other medications that lower acid production (e.g., H2 blockers such as cimetidine/ranitidine and proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole).
How to use Alternagel
Take this medication by mouth, usually after meals and at bedtime as needed. Follow all the directions on the product package or use as directed by your doctor. If you are uncertain about any of this information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
If you are taking the chewable tablets, chew thoroughly before swallowing, then drink a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters).
If you are using the liquid form of this medication, shake the bottle well before pouring each dose. Refrigerating the suspension may improve the flavor. Do not freeze. The liquid form works best if taken without other fluids. You can mix your dose with a little water if needed.
This product may react with other medications (including digoxin, iron, pazopanib, tetracycline antibiotics, quinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin), preventing them from being fully absorbed by your body. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how to schedule your medications to prevent this problem.
If your acid problems persist or worsen after you have used this product for 1 week, or if you think you have a serious medical problem, seek immediate medical attention. If you are using this medication regularly on a daily basis for more than 2 weeks, you may have a medical problem that needs different treatment. Ask your doctor whether this is the right medication for you.
See also:
What other drugs will affect Alternagel?
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include: phosphate supplements (such as potassium phosphate), sodium polystyrene sulfonate.
Antacids can interfere with the absorption of many other drugs. Be sure to check with your pharmacist before taking antacids with any other medication.
See also:
What are the possible side effects of Alternagel?
Applies to Alternagel: oral suspension
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking Alternagel (the active ingredient contained in Alternagel) hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using the medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
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severe stomach pain or constipation;
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bloody, black, or tarry stools;
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coughing up blood that looks like coffee grounds;
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pain when you urinate;
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extreme drowsiness; or
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tired feeling, loss of appetite, and muscle weakness.
Less serious side effects are more likely, and you may have none at all.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
Alternagel is an inorganic salt used as an antacid. It is a basic compound that acts by neutralizing hydrochloric acid in gastric secretions. Subsequent increases in pH may inhibit the action of pepsin. An increase in bicarbonate ions and prostaglandins may also confer cytoprotective effects.