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Short answer How long Aluminum Hydroxide stays in your system Common questions Related questions SourcesAluminum hydroxide neutralizes stomach acid for about 20 to 60 minutes on an empty stomach and up to about 3 hours when you take it after a meal, and most of the dose leaves your body in stool within 1 to 3 days.
How long the relief lasts depends mostly on whether you take it with food, since food keeps the antacid in your stomach longer. Only a small fraction of the aluminum is absorbed into your blood, and healthy kidneys filter it out in urine over the following days. Timing around other medicines matters more than the drug clearing your system, because aluminum hydroxide binds drugs such as tetracycline antibiotics, levothyroxine, and iron, so separate those doses by at least 2 hours. Constipation is a common sign the aluminum is still moving through your gut, and fluids plus regular activity help. If you need an antacid most days for more than 2 weeks, talk with a clinician instead of continuing on your own.
How long Aluminum Hydroxide stays in your system
Common questions
How long does Aluminum Hydroxide stay in your system?
Aluminum hydroxide is an antacid that mostly stays in your digestive tract rather than your bloodstream. Its acid-neutralizing effect lasts roughly 20 to 60 minutes if your stomach is empty and up to about 3 hours if you take it after a meal. Most of the dose is never absorbed and leaves in your stool over the next 1 to 3 days, which is why constipation is common. The small amount of aluminum that is absorbed is cleared by your kidneys in urine. If you have reduced kidney function or are on dialysis, aluminum can build up over time, so check with a clinician before using it regularly.