What is Alka-Seltzer Heartburn Relief? Uses, warnings & side effects

Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.

If you are using the effervescent tablet form of this medicine, dissolve the tablets fully in 4 ounces of water. Drink all of this mixture right away.

Your doctor will tell you how much to use and how often. If you are being treated for peptic ulcer, keep using this medicine for as long as your doctor tells you to.

Shake the oral liquid well before each use. Measure your dose carefully using a measuring spoon or medicine cup.

Chew the chewable tablet thoroughly before swallowing. It may be helpful to drink a glass of water after swallowing the chewed tablet.

Let the lozenge melt slowly in your mouth.

Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

Oral routeCarefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet.

Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription. Ask your pharmacist or health caregiver if you are not sure how much calcium you should take in one day.

Most calcium supplements should be taken with food. Drink a full glass of water (8 ounces) with each dose, unless you are on kidney dialysis. If you are using this medicine as a phosphate binder for kidney dialysis, do not drink extra water with each dose.

If you need to take more than one dose each a day, take each dose at evenly spaced times, unless your doctor has told you otherwise.

Do not crush, break, or chew the tablet or capsule unless the label says it is chewable. Swallow the regular tablet or capsule whole.

If you are using the chewable tablet or wafer, chew it completely before you swallow.

Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. You might need to shake the medicine just before using it.

Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

Some minerals, such as calcium, may need to be taken with food or milk. Read the package label to find out if you need to take your supplement with food or milk.

Some oral liquid supplements can be mixed with water or juice. Read the package label to find out how to take your supplement if you want to mix it in water or juice.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

If you use this medicine on a regular schedule, use the missed dose as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for your next dose.

Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next regular dose.

You should not use two doses at the same time.

Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Missing a dose of a mineral supplement is usually not a problem.

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to sodium bicarbonate or citric acid.

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to medicines that contain calcium. Make sure your doctor knows if you have had hypercalcemia (too much calcium in your body).

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to calcium.

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to any of the minerals that are in the specific supplement you are using. The label on the package should list all of the minerals that the supplement contains.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding.

Tell your doctor if your symptoms last for longer than 14 days.

The effervescent tablet form of this medicine contains sodium and phenylalanine. Before using an effervescent tablet, tell your doctor if you are on a salt-restricted diet, or if you have phenylketonuria.

You should not use certain brands of this medicine if you have kidney disease or are on dialysis, because they may harm your kidneys. Ask your caregiver what brands are best for you.

Tell your doctor if your heartburn or stomach problems do not get better after 1 or 2 weeks or if they get worse after taking this medicine.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before using this medicine.

Talk with your doctor before using antacids if you have kidney disease or liver disease.

Antacids may contain large amounts of salt. Talk to your doctor before using this medicine if you are on a low-sodium diet.

If you are using a large amount of calcium or using it for a long time, your doctor might need to check your blood on a regular basis. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Some health problems can affect how much calcium you should take. Tell your doctor if you have stomach or digestion problems, such as on-going diarrhea, not absorbing nutrients properly, or not having enough acid in your stomach.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you are allergic to shellfish. Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or have ever had kidney stones. Make sure your doctor knows if you have had problems with too much calcium (hypercalcemia) or too little calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia). Some health problems that can cause hypercalcemia are sarcoidosis or problems with your parathyroid gland.

If you are using a mineral supplement that contains iron, it might have enough iron to poison a small child. Be very careful to keep this medicine out of the reach of children. If a child does swallow some of this medicine, call a doctor or poison control center right away.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Some minerals should not be used if you have certain health problems. If you have an on-going disease or other health problem, do not use this medicine unless your doctor says it is okay. Some health problems that could be affected by minerals are cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, kidney stones, food allergies, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), or problems with your hyperparathyroid gland.

There are many other medicines that should not be taken together with an antacid, such as sodium bicarbonate. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you are using.

The effervescent tablet form of this medicine contains sodium and phenylalanine. Before using an effervescent tablet, tell your doctor if you are on a salt-restricted diet, or if you have phenylketonuria.

Tell your doctor if your symptoms last for longer than 14 days.

Antacids may keep other medicines from working the way they are supposed to. Do not use an antacid within 1 to 2 hours before or after using other medicines. If you have questions about when are the best times to use your medicines, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you are using an antibiotic such as tetracycline, minocycline, or doxycycline, do not take an antacid within 3 hours before or after taking the antibiotic.

Avoid drinking large amounts of milk with this medicine.

Tell your doctor if your heartburn or stomach problems do not get better after 1 or 2 weeks or if they get worse after taking this medicine.

Antacids may contain large amounts of salt. Talk to your doctor before using this medicine if you are on a low-sodium diet.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using other supplements or medicines that contain calcium. Tell your doctor if you are also using gallium nitrate (Ganite®), cellulose sodium phosphate (Calcibind®), or etidronate (Didronel®).

Calcium can change the way other medicines work if you take them at the same time. If you need to use other medicines, take them at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take your calcium supplement. This is particularly important if you are also using phenytoin (Dilantin®) or a tetracycline antibiotic to treat an infection (such as doxycycline, minocycline, Vibramycin®).

Do not take your calcium supplement with a high-fiber meal (such as bran, whole-grain cereal or bread, fresh fruits). Do not smoke cigarettes or cigars. Do not drink large amounts of alcohol or caffeine (for example, more than about 8 cups of coffee).

If you are using a large amount of calcium or using it for a long time, your doctor might need to check your blood on a regular basis. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Some medicines contain minerals. For example, many antacid medicines (such as Tums®) contain magnesium and calcium. Read the label on any medicine to make sure you are not getting too many minerals.

Some minerals can interfere with other medicines. You might need to take your mineral supplement at a different time than you take other medicines. If you are using any other medicine, ask your pharmacist or doctor about this.

If you are using a mineral supplement that contains iron, it might have enough iron to poison a small child. Be very careful to keep this medicine out of the reach of children. If a child does swallow some of this medicine, call a doctor or poison control center right away.