Is Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide addictive?
Last updated September 7, 2026.
No, aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide are not addictive and do not cause physical dependence. These are antacids that neutralize acid already in your stomach. They do not act on the brain reward pathways involved in addiction, so they do not cause cravings, tolerance, or withdrawal when you stop. What often feels like dependence is the underlying reflux returning once the dose wears off. Frequent use can also cause diarrhea from the magnesium or constipation from the aluminum, and it can delay finding out what is driving your symptoms. Take them with food or at bedtime for predictable relief, keep other medicines about 2 hours apart from your dose, and track how many days a week you actually need one.
What to do
- Watch the calendar, not the craving: Needing an antacid on most days for more than 2 weeks is a signal to get the cause checked, not a sign of addiction.
- Space out your other medicines: Take antibiotics, thyroid medicine, and iron about 2 hours away from your antacid dose so they still absorb properly.
- Match the side effect to the ingredient: Loose stools usually point to the magnesium and hard stools to the aluminum, so tell your clinician which one you notice.
- Ask about kidneys first: If you have kidney disease, check before regular use, since your body clears aluminum and magnesium more slowly.
- Treat the trigger: Smaller evening meals, less alcohol, and waiting 3 hours before lying down reduce how often you reach for a dose.
- Get urgent care for red flags: Trouble swallowing, vomiting blood, black stools, unplanned weight loss, or chest pressure need prompt medical attention.
Related questions
- Can i take magnesium every day
- Can i take magnesium with levothyroxine
- Can magnesium lower blood pressure
- Does magnesium help you sleep