Brand name:

Tums

Pronounced: TUMS

Generic name: Calcium carbonate

Other brand names: Alka-mints, Maalox DS Softchews, Children's Mylanta, Mylanta Calcitabs, Quick Dissolve Maalox, Surpass Antacid Chewing Gum, Titralac

What this medication is used for

These products all consist of various amounts of the stomach-acid neutralizer, calcium carbonate. They relieve acid indigestion, heartburn, sour stomach, and upset stomach. Several brands are also sold for use as a calcium supplement. Most brands are available in assorted flavors.

How should you take this medication?

Most tablets can be chewed. Titralac tablets can also be allowed to melt in your mouth.

* AS AN ANTACID
Tums and Tums E-X
1 to 4 tablets every hour as needed, but no more than 16 Tums tablets or 10 Tums E-X tablets a day.

Tums Ultra
2 or 3 tablets every hour as needed, but no more than 8 tablets a day.

Alka-Mints
1 or 2 tablets every 2 hours, but no more than 9 tablets a day.

Mylanta Calcitabs
For the Ultra strength, 2 to 3 tablets hourly as needed, up to 8 tablets a day. For the Extra strength, 2 to 4 tablets hourly as needed, up to 10 tablets per day.

Children's Mylanta
For children 6 to 11, the usual dosage is 2 tablets or teaspoonfuls up to 3 times a day (maximum: 6 a day); for children 2 to 5, the dosage is 1 tablet or teaspoonful up to 3 times a day (maximum: 3 a day); for children under 2, consult your doctor.

Maalox DS Softchews
Take 1 or 2 Softchews up to 7 times a day.

Quick Dissolve Maalox
Chew 1 or 2 tablets as needed, but not more than 12 tablets a day.

Surpass Antacid Chewing Gum
Chew 1 or 2 pieces as symptoms occur. You can repeat hourly, but take no more than 17 pieces each 24 hours.

Titralac
For the regular strength, 2 tablets every 2 or 3 hours as needed, but no more than 19 tablets a day. For the Extra strength, 1 or 2 tablets every 2 or 3 hours, but no more than 10 tablets a day.

* AS A CALCIUM SUPPLEMENT
Tums, Tums E-X, and Tums Ultra
2 tablets twice a day. Do not take more than 12 Tums, 8 Tums E-X, or 6 Tums Ultra tablets a day.

Tums 500
1 tablet with meals, 2 or 3 times a day.

Maalox DS Softchews
Take 1 Softchew 3 times a day, preferably with meals.

Mylanta Calcitabs
For both strengths, the typical dose is 2 tablets twice daily. Limit intake to no more than 6 Ultra strength or 8 Extra strength tablets a day.

Special warnings when using this medication

Do not take the maximum daily dosage of any of these products continuously for more than 2 weeks without consulting a doctor.

Alka-Mints can cause constipation. If you must avoid phenylalanine, do not use Tums E-X Sugar Free tablets, Quick Dissolve Maalox, or Surpass Antacid Chewing Gum.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication

When taken at the same time, antacids interact with a variety of prescription drugs. However, an interaction is unlikely if you keep doses of the two at least 2 or 3 hours apart. Drugs that may interact include the following:

Alendronate (Fosamax)
Allopurinol (Zyloprim)
Antibiotics classified as "quinolones," such as Cipro, Floxin, and Noroxin
Aspirin
Atenolol (Tenormin)
Captopril (Capoten)
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Doxycycline (Vibramycin)
Fosfomycin (Monurol)
Gabapentin (Neurontin)
Glipizide (Glucotrol)
Glyburide (Micronase, DiaBeta)
Isoniazid (Rifamate)
Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Levothyroxine (Synthroid)
Methenamine (Urised)
Metronidazole (Flagyl)
Misoprostol (Cytotec)
Mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept)
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Dolobid, Motrin, Naprosyn, and Voltaren
Penicillamine (Cuprimine)
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Quinidine (Quinidex)
Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate)
Sucralfate (Carafate)
Tetracycline antibiotics such as Achromycin V and Minocin
Tilodronate (Skelid)
Ursodiol (Actigall)

Prolonged and heavy use of antacids such as Tums, combined with a high intake of calcium-rich foods such as milk, can lead to an overload of calcium in the system. Early symptoms are constipation, weakness, nausea, and vomiting; and a severe overload can cause kidney damage. If you need a high-calcium diet, check with your doctor about a substitute for Tums.