**Aluminum hydroxide is an antacid that neutralizes acid already in your stomach to relieve heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach, and at prescription doses it can lower blood phosphate levels in advanced kidney disease.**
It acts within minutes but wears off in about an hour or two, so it fits occasional symptoms rather than daily acid control. Many products pair it with magnesium hydroxide, because aluminum alone tends to cause constipation and magnesium tends to loosen stools. It binds other medicines in the gut, so separate it from antibiotics, thyroid medicine, and iron by at least two hours. If you are using an antacid most days for more than two weeks, or you have kidney disease, the right next step is a conversation with a clinician rather than a higher dose.
Using aluminum hydroxide safely
Common questions
What is Aluminum Hydroxide used for?
Aluminum hydroxide is an antacid. It works in the stomach by neutralizing acid that is already there, easing heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach within minutes. Relief is short, usually an hour or two, so it suits occasional symptoms rather than ongoing acid control. Many combination products add magnesium hydroxide, since aluminum tends to cause constipation and magnesium tends to loosen stools. Clinicians also prescribe higher doses as a phosphate binder for some people with advanced kidney disease, taken with meals. Use it for no more than two weeks unless your clinician advises otherwise, and keep it two hours apart from other medicines.