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Antacid abuse? When is it too much?

Digestive Health | Last Active: Jan 8, 2022 | Replies (33)
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@johnbishop

Hello Ray @ray666, I think that is a good question. I've never used them much but I did find a few references on the topic that may help some until other members with some experience can respond.

"Serious side effects can occur with an overdose or overuse of antacids. Side effects include constipation, diarrhea, change in the color of bowel movements, and stomach cramps. Products containing calcium may cause kidney stones and are more likely to cause constipation." -- Frequently Asked Questions About Heartburn and Reflux: https://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/heartburn-faq

"Antacid ingestion may lead to side-effects related to their chemical ... function is unlikely unless there is an abuse of these "over the counter" antacids." -- Antacid therapy--changes in mineral metabolism: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6293043/

"Antacid abuse: a rare cause of severe hypercalcaemia ... it was found that this patient had troublesome dyspepsia symptoms for which he had ..." -- Antacid abuse: a rare cause of severe hypercalcaemia - NCBI: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5747649/

Have you had a chance to discuss the symptoms with your doctor?

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Replies to "Hello Ray @ray666, I think that is a good question. I've never used them much but..."
Ray Kemble | @ray666 | Jan 4, 2022

Hi, John (@johnbishop)

Thanks for those links! Quoting from the first link––"Side effects include constipation, diarrhea, change in the color of bowel movements, and stomach cramps"––my symptoms precisely! I've not discussed this lately with my primary, but she and I have talked about my gastro woes at earlier visits. I was referred to a gastroenterologist, who was dismayed to learn how many OTC medications I'd been using all in an attempt to bring peace and harmony to my gut. The gastroenterologist advised I take a magnesium supplement and NOTHING else––and in time I began to feel great. Of course, that was a few years ago. In the ensuing years, I fell back on my old bad habits: a daily smorgasbord of Metamucil, Tums, Miralax … you name it, I probably took it. As of today, other than the daily magnesium, I'm done with all that other stuff. Again, John, thanks for your message. I've got a lot to learn!

Ray (@ray666)

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