Magnesium/Aluminum Antacids
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Magnesium/Aluminum Antacids for pets in Perth during a consultation by Dr Noor.”
(mag-nee-zee-um / ah-loo-mih-num)
Description – Magnesium/Aluminum Antacids for pets
This medicine is taken by mouth to reduce stomach acid. It can also act as a laxative, meaning it may help with constipation (trouble passing stool).
Other Names for this Medication
- Maalox®
- Mylanta®
Common Dosage Forms
- For animals:
- there are no standard veterinary-made versions.
- For people:
- one common liquid form contains aluminum hydroxide 200 mg and magnesium hydroxide 200 mg in each 5 mL of oral liquid.
- It also comes in many other types, including tablets, chewable tablets, and pressurized foam products.
This handout does not include every detail that exists about this medicine. It is meant to help with common questions, but it does not replace medical guidance. If you need more details or have questions, speak with your veterinarian or pharmacist.
Key Information
- This medicine is used to reduce stomach acid and help with an upset stomach.
- Most animals handle it well, but it can sometimes cause constipation or diarrhea.
- These antacids can be bought without a prescription. Do not give antacids (or any other non-prescription medicines) to your animal unless you have spoken with your veterinarian first.
How is this medication useful?
Magnesium hydroxide combined with aluminum salts can reduce the amount of acid in the stomach and may be used for different problems. This medicine is approved for people, but it is not officially approved for animal patients. In some cases, veterinarians may prescribe medicines containing this drug for different species or for different uses. You and your veterinarian can talk about why this option is the best fit.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many factors can change how this medicine works for your animal. Talk with your veterinarian about the points below so you can make treatment choices together.
- Other medicines can affect, or be affected by, magnesium/aluminum antacids. Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your animal receives, including vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. Include how much you give and the time you give each one.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your animal has now, or has had before.
- If your animal has been treated before for the same problem, tell your veterinarian what was used and whether it helped or did not help.
- If your animal is pregnant or nursing, discuss the possible risks of using this medicine.
- Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about any past medicine reactions or side effects your animal has had, including allergic reactions, not wanting to eat, diarrhea, itching, or hair loss.
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
You should expect this medicine to start helping your animal feel better within 1 to 2 hours. After that, the signs you are seeing should lessen. This medicine does not last long in the body, meaning it stops working within 24 hours. However, the helpful effects may last longer if your animal’s kidneys and/or liver are not working as well.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any concerns that apply to your animal.
If your animal has any of the issues listed below, discuss the possible risks and benefits with your veterinarian.
- That have an allergy to this medicine.
- That have serious kidney disease.
- That must follow a diet limited in electrolytes (salts), because some products may contain large amounts of sodium or potassium.
- That have a gastric outlet obstruction (meaning the stomach cannot empty properly).
What are the side effects of this medication?
The effects listed below are usually mild.
You do not need to be highly worried if you notice these unless they are severe, get worse, or do not go away. If that happens, contact your veterinarian.
- Diarrhea or frequent loose stool.
- Constipation.
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
If a large amount is given, magnesium/aluminum antacids can upset the body’s fluid and salt balance, and your animal may need fluids through a vein (IV fluids). If you see an overdose happen or think it may have happened, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control service right away for guidance. These 24-hour animal poison control services include:
- Pet Poison HELPLINE (855-764-7661)
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435)
These services charge a consultation fee.
How should this medication be given?
To get the intended effect, give this medicine exactly the way your veterinarian instructed. It is helpful to read the label each time so you confirm you are giving it correctly.
- If you are using a liquid that is a suspension (a liquid with medicine mixed throughout), shake it well before you measure the dose.
- If you are using a liquid, measure it with care. Your veterinarian or pharmacist can provide special measuring spoons or dosing syringes.
- If giving the medicine is difficult, ask your veterinarian or pharmacist for ways to make dosing easier and less stressful.
- This medicine may be used for different lengths of time. Make sure you understand how long your veterinarian wants you to keep giving it.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
If you forget a dose, give it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, do not give the missed one; instead, give the next dose at the regular time. Then continue with the normal schedule. Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep this medicine (both tablets and liquids) in the original prescription container. Tablets may also be kept at room temperature in an approved dose-reminder container (for example, a pill minder).
- If your veterinarian or pharmacist has prepared a custom-made version (a compounded product) for your animal, follow the storage directions and the expiration date provided for that product.
- Store it where children and other animals cannot reach it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
No special handling steps are needed unless you are allergic to this medicine. After you handle any medicine, wash your hands.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not put this medicine into the toilet or pour it into a sink drain.
- If your area has a community medicine take-back program, use that.
- If there is no take-back option, combine the medicine with coffee grounds or cat litter so it is unpleasant to children and animals and not recognizable to someone searching trash.
- Put that mixture into a sealable plastic bag to prevent leaks, and place it in the household trash.
- Do not keep leftover medicine to use later, and do not give it to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- These antacids can be purchased without a prescription. Do not give antacids (or any other non-prescription medicines) to your animal unless you have first spoken with a veterinarian.
- Magnesium and aluminum can reduce how well other medicines are taken up by the body. Ask your pharmacist or veterinarian whether you should give this medicine either 1 hour before or 2 hours after your animal’s other medicines.
- In some animal competitions, using this medicine may not be permitted. Check the rules before entering a competition while your animal is receiving this medicine.
- Do not switch between different forms (for example, changing brands, or changing from tablets to liquid) unless you first check with a veterinarian or pharmacist, because the dose may not match.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”