Brand name:

Gas-X with Maalox

Generic ingredients: Calcium carbonate, Simethicone

Other brand name: Quick Dissolve Maalox Max, Titralac Plus

What this drug is used for

The simethicone in these products relieves the bloating, pressure, and fullness that result from gas. The calcium carbonate relieves acid indigestion, heartburn, and sour stomach.

How should you take this medication?

* GAS-X WITH MAALOX
Chew 1 or 2 tablets as needed. Do not use more than 4 tablets a day unless your doctor approves.

* QUICK DISSOLVE MAALOX MAX
Chew 1 or 2 tablets as needed. Do not use more than 8 tablets a day unless your doctor approves.

* TITRALAC PLUS
Take 2 tablets every 2 or 3 hours. You can chew the tablets, swallow them whole, or let them melt in your mouth. Do not take more than 19 tablets each 24 hours.

* STORAGE
Store a room temperature. Protect from moisture.

Special warnings about this medication

Stop using these products and check with your doctor if symptoms last more than 2 weeks.

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 calcium-based antacids, 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 these antacid products.