What is Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide used for?
Last updated September 7, 2026.
Aluminum hydroxide with magnesium hydroxide is an antacid that neutralizes stomach acid to relieve heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach, usually within minutes. The dose depends on the product, since liquids and chewable tablets differ in strength, so follow the label on the bottle you actually have. Relief is fast but short, generally a few hours, which is why labels direct you to take it after meals and at bedtime. Antacids also bind other medicines in the stomach, so separate them from antibiotics, levothyroxine, and iron by several hours. If you need it most days for more than 2 weeks, or you have kidney disease, talk with a clinician about a longer term plan.
What to do
- Time your doses: Take it after meals and at bedtime, when acid symptoms are most likely, rather than on an empty stomach.
- Space it from other medicines: Take other drugs, such as antibiotics, levothyroxine, and iron, at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after an antacid dose.
- Shake and measure liquids: Shake the suspension well and use the dosing cup or syringe that comes with it instead of a kitchen spoon.
- Watch your stools: Loose stools suggest the magnesium side is dominating and constipation suggests the aluminum side is, so mention either one if it keeps up.
- Check first with kidney disease: If your kidneys do not work normally, ask a clinician before using it, because magnesium and aluminum can build up in your body.
- Know when to be seen: Get medical care for trouble swallowing, vomiting blood, black or tarry stools, unexplained weight loss, or chest pressure with sweating or shortness of breath.
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