Antacids can help ease uncomfortable symptoms of heartburn and indigestion. Aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and calcium carbonate are the most common ingredients in antacid brands.
Antacids reduce acid in your stomach, which helps with symptoms of heartburn and indigestion, among others. These medications do this by neutralizing pepsin, which is a digestive enzyme that breaks down food proteins, and making the stomach’s pH less acidic (a process called alkalizing).
This article explores the common ingredients in antacid brands and the cons and pros of each popular brand.
Key ingredients in antacid brands
asadykov/Getty Images
Antacid brands available on the market vary based on their key ingredients. Most of them contain at least one of these ingredients:
aluminum hydroxide
magnesium hydroxide
calcium carbonate
They may also contain other ingredients, like simethicone, to relieve additional symptoms like flatulence, diarrhea, or nausea.
Other antacids may contain pain relievers and sodium bicarbonate. For example, some Aspirin and Alka Seltzer products are effervescent antacids.
Depending on your symptoms and possible underlying health challenges, you may want to choose an antacid brand with certain ingredients over others.
Here are some common ingredients of antiacid medications:
Aluminum hydroxide
Aluminum hydroxide is a key ingredient in many antiacid brands. It lowers acid in the stomach quickly and helps reduce symptoms of heartburn, acid indigestion, gastritis, and peptic ulcers.
Magnesium hydroxide
Magnesium hydroxide is a laxative typically used to manage occasional constipation. However, many antiacid brands also add it to their formula as an effective aid for heartburn, acid indigestion, and upset stomach symptoms.
You may find magnesium hydroxide in the market as a liquid suspension known as Milk of Magnesia.
Calcium carbonate
Calcium carbonate is a form of inorganic salt and is commonly known as chalk. It is the key ingredient in many antacid brands that manage indigestion, upset stomach, and heartburn.
Calcium carbonate also treats other health conditions, such as chronic kidney disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Alginic acid
Alginic acid is a natural sugar found in some types of seaweed. Medications containing alginic acid, also known as alginate, are highly effective in managing acid reflux and symptoms of GERD.
Bismuth subsalicylate
An antidiarrheal and anti-inflammatory agent, bismuth subsalicylate helps manage heartburn symptoms, acid reflux, nausea, and upset stomach symptoms in adults. It works by slowing down fluids heading into the bowel and may help control the overgrowth of diarrhea-causing organisms.
Bismuth subsalicylate is not recommended for children, particularly those recovering from varicella (chickenpox) or influenza (flu) viruses. This is because there is a risk of the child developing Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition.
Simethicone
Simethicone is an anti-foaming agent that helps reduce flatulence and bloating by consolidating tiny gas bubbles in your gut, allowing trapped air to pass more quickly. It is often found in the market as Gas-X, but the ingredient is also added to some antacid brands.
If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.
Free prescription coupons
Seriously … free. Explore prices that beat the competition 70% of the time.
Antacids can start working immediately and quickly relieve heartburn and indigestion symptoms. Liquid antacids may work faster.
The effects of antacids may vary, but they typically relieve symptoms for about 4 to 6 hours.
Popular antacid brands in the United States
Tums
One of the most popular antacid brands, Tums comes in various strengths and tablet presentations (types) to provide fast heartburn relief.
The active ingredient in all forms of Tums is calcium carbonate, and its strengths go from 700–1,177 milligrams (mg).
Rare side effects may include appetite loss, nausea, and vomiting.
Pros
Different calcium carbonate strengths mean you can take the amount you need, depending on the intensity of your symptoms.
Calcium carbonate may help people with calcium deficiencies and osteoporosis.
Some Tums presentations are gluten-free.
Cons
Tums does not come in liquid forms, although all the tablets are chewable.
People with high calcium levels and chronic kidney disease should avoid the long-term use of calcium carbonate.
Rolaids
This antacid brand has a similar profile to Tums but with the addition of 135 mg of magnesium hydroxide.
Rolaids comes in liquid or tablet form.
Active ingredients include calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide.
Possible side effects of Rolaids include constipation, bloating, flatulence, and loss of appetite.
Pros
Rolaids combines the effects of both calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide.
It may be used as a calcium supplement, which may help people with deficiencies and osteoporosis.
Cons
Rolaids may interfere with other medications. It is advisable that you ask your healthcare professional before taking Rolaids.
Pepto Bismol
You are probably familiar with this pink liquid product. This antacid brand reduces stomach acid to relieve heartburn and upset stomach, but it also helps with diarrhea.
Pepto Bismol comes in liquid and tablet forms.
The active ingredient is bismuth subsalicylate.
Potential side effects of Pepto Bismol include nausea, a bitter taste in the mouth, and a temporary black tongue.
Pros
It can be taken with or without food, which means it can help with symptoms that occur overnight.
Pepto Bismol offers a children’s formula with calcium carbonate as the active ingredient.
Cons
Adult Pepto Bismol formulations are not recommended for children under age 12 years.
This antacid is not recommended for people with gout, diabetes, or blood clotting disorders.
Mylanta
This popular antacid combines three powerful agents to target heartburn, acid indigestion, sour stomach, and bloating.
Mylanta comes as a liquid or tablet, though it’s available in only one strength.
Mylanta’s active ingredients are aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and simethicone.
The potential side effects of this antacid brand include nausea, constipation, and diarrhea.
Pros
Mylanta combines three effective antacid ingredients that may help tackle more than one symptom at a time.
Cons
You may want to skip this product if you are on a low magnesium diet.
Mylanta is not recommended for children under age 12 years.
Gaviscon
This product is a reflux suppressant. It neutralizes excess stomach acid to relieve the symptoms of heartburn, acid indigestion, and stomach upset.
Gaviscon comes in tablet or liquid form.
Active ingredients include magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, and alginic acid.
Although rare, the potential side effects of Gaviscon include vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea.
Pros
Alginic acid is a powerful agent for protecting the digestive tract from acid reflux.
Gaviscon offers a separate product that is marketed as safe for babies.
Cons
Gaviscon cannot be taken with ibuprofen or aspirin. So if you’re taking those medications, this product may not work for you.
Summary
Popular antacid brands include Tums, Rolaids, and Mylanta. They all offer different combinations of key ingredients to relieve heartburn, acid indigestion, and upset stomach.
Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.
