Antacids
- Neutralize acid already in the stomach
- Fast relief; very short duration
- Best for intermittent dyspepsia/heartburn
- Calcium: constipation + hypercalcemia risk
- Magnesium: diarrhea; avoid excess in CKD
- Aluminum: constipation + phosphate binding
- Separate from drugs vulnerable to binding
Class at a glance
- Neutralize acid already in the stomach
Safety / monitoring
- Magnesium: diarrhea; avoid excess in CKD
- Aluminum: constipation + phosphate binding
Practical pearls
- Separate from drugs vulnerable to binding
Members / distinctions
- Fast relief; very short duration
- Best for intermittent dyspepsia/heartburn
Safety distinctions
- Calcium: constipation + hypercalcemia risk
Self-check
- When are antacids most useful?
Intermittent dyspepsia or heartburn.
- Which antacid commonly causes diarrhea?
Magnesium.
Drugs in this class (4)
All drug classes · Open the interactive console ↗
