Aluminum Hydroxide

Aluminum Hydroxide is an over-the-counter (OTC) product used as an antacid, and to treat peptic ulcer disease and hyperphosphatemia.

• Aluminum hydroxide is available under the following different brand names: AlternaGEL, Amphojel, and Nephrox.

Dosage Forms and Strengths

Oral suspension

• 329mg/5mL

• 5-30 mL orally between meals and at bedtime or as directed

• 5-30 mL between meals and at bedtime or as directed

• Adult: 300-600 mg orally 3 times/day between meals and at bedtime
• Pediatric: 50-150 mg/kg/day orally divided every 4-6 hours; titrate dose to keep phosphorus within normal range

Common side effects or health problems may include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Rebound hyperacidity
• Aluminum-intoxication
• Low blood phosphates (hypophosphatemia)
• Chalky taste
• Constipation (this could lead to hemorrhoids or bowel obstruction)
• Fecal impaction
• Stomach cramps
• Milk-alkali syndrome
• Softening of the bones

Serious side effects of aluminum hydroxide include::

• Black/tarry stools
• Mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, deep sleep)
• Pain with urination
• Stomach/abdominal pain
• Vomit that looks like coffee grounds

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Severe interactions of aluminum hydroxide include:
  • pazopanib
  • raltegravir
• Aluminum Hydroxide has serious interactions with at least 26 different drugs.
• Aluminum Hydroxide has moderate interactions with at least 108 different drugs.
• Mild interactions of aluminum hydroxide include:
  • ascorbic acid
  • aspirin
  • aspirin rectal
  • aspirin/citric acid/sodium bicarbonate
  • balsalazide
  • blessed thistle
  • choline magnesium trisalicylate
  • chromium
  • devil's claw
  • diflunisal
  • mesalamine
  • rose hips
  • salicylates (non-ASA)
  • salsalate
  • strontium ranelate
  • sucralfate
  • sulfasalazine
  • Willow bark

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns.

Warnings

• This medication contains aluminum hydroxide. Do not take AlternaGEL, Amphojel, or Nephrox if you are allergic to aluminum hydroxide or any ingredients contained in this drug.
• Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to aluminum salts

Effects of Drug Abuse

• No information available

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Aluminum Hydroxide?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Aluminum Hydroxide?"

Cautions

• Aluminum toxicity may occur in renal failure patients.
• Low blood phosphate levels (hypophosphatemia) may occur.
• Use caution in patients with heart failure, cirrhosis, edema, or renal failure.
• Will bind calcium if given at same time.
• Elderly may be predisposed to fecal impaction.
• Use caution in patients who have recently suffered massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use aluminum hydroxide with caution during pregnancy if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies are not available or neither animal nor human studies were done.
• It is not known whether aluminum hydroxide is excreted in breast milk. Consult your doctor.