aluminum hydroxide / magnesium hydroxide / simethicone
Mylanta Maximum Strength is a combination medication containing three active ingredients: two antacids (aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide) and a gas medication (simethicone). It's used to help relieve the symptoms of heartburn, acid reflux, and gas. This medication is available over the counter (OTC) as a liquid for people ages 12 years and older. The dosage is 10 to 20 mL taken by mouth in between meals and at bedtime as needed. Possible side effects include diarrhea and nausea.
What is Mylanta Maximum Strength?
What is Mylanta Maximum Strength used for?
How Mylanta Maximum Strength works
Mylanta Maximum Strength is a combination of three different medications.
- Aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide are antacids that neutralize stomach acid to relieve symptoms like heartburn and sour stomach.
- Simethicone is a gas medication. Simethicone works by causing gas bubbles to be more flexible. This allows gas bubbles to gather together and become larger bubbles in the intestines. Then, your body can pass the gas more easily.
Drug facts
Side effects of Mylanta Maximum Strength
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Mylanta Maximum Strength serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Too much magnesium: flushed skin, nausea or vomiting, weak muscles
- Too much aluminum: weakness, tremor, speech problems, bone pain, seizures
More on Mylanta Maximum Strength side effects
The following Mylanta Maximum Strength side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- High magnesium level—confusion, drowsiness, facial flushing, redness, sweating, muscle weakness, fast or irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
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Pros and cons of Mylanta Maximum Strength
Pros
- Provides fast relief (within several minutes)
- Can take multiples times throughout the day for continued symptom relief
- Comes as a flavored suspension
- Available as a lower-cost generic medication
- Can be purchased over the counter (OTC), without a prescription
Cons
- Doesn't last as long as other types of heartburn medications
- Can interfere with how well other medications are absorbed into the body
- Might not be a good option for people with kidney problems or on a magnesium-restricted diet
- Not recommended for use during pregnancy
- Contains magnesium, so can cause diarrhea
Pharmacist tips for Mylanta Maximum Strength
- Double check your medication label to make sure you have the right Mylanta product. There are several Mylanta products that contain different active ingredients with different directions.
- Store Mylanta Maximum Strength at room temperature. Make sure to shake the suspension well before measuring out your dose.
- Use a dosing syringe or medication cup to measure your dose of the suspension in milliliters (mL). Don't use household spoons to measure out Mylanta Maximum Strength. They might not be accurate, even if you're specifically using a teaspoon or tablespoon. Talk to your pharmacist or provider if you don't have a proper dosing device.
- Don't take the maximum dose of any formulation of this medication every day for more than 2 weeks. Contact your provider if your symptoms don't improve after 2 weeks.
- Tell your provider and pharmacist about all the medications you're taking so they can check for drug interactions. Mylanta Maximum Strength can cause many medications to work less well. Examples include azithromycin (Zithromax), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), and levothyroxine (Synthroid). Check with your providers whether you need take Mylanta Maximum Strength and your other medications at separate times to avoid any interactions.
- There are many other over-the-counter medications that contain aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and simethicone. Taking too much of these ingredients can raise your risk for side effects. Ask your provider or pharmacist if you're not sure whether you're already taking a medication that has one of these ingredients.
- Talk to your provider before you take Mylanta Maximum Strength if you have kidney problems. Magnesium and aluminum can build up in the body for people with kidney problems, and this can be dangerous.
- Mylanta Maximum Strength contains magnesium. This medication might not be appropriate if you're following a magnesium-restricted diet. Ask your provider before using this medication if you're limiting your magnesium intake.
Common questions about Mylanta Maximum Strength
It's possible. Magnesium hydroxide, which is one of the antacids in Mylanta Maximum Strength, is known to cause diarrhea. It's best to lower your dose or stop taking the medication if you're having diarrhea from Mylanta Maximum Strength. Contact your provider if any diarrhea continues.
The antacids in Mylanta Maximum Strength, aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide, typically work within several minutes and last for about an hour. Simethicone, the third ingredient in Mylanta Maximum Strength, also works within a few minutes to help with gas.
No, Mylanta Maximum Strength and Maalox are two different medications, even though they both have the same active ingredients (aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and simethicone). Maalox is no longer available on the market.
Adults and children ages 12 years and older can take Mylanta Maximum Strength between meals and at bedtime. Don't go over the maximum dose of 60 mL (or 12 teaspoonfuls) in a 24-hour period. Follow your provider's directions if they gave you different instructions than what's on the medication box.
No, you shouldn't take Mylanta Maximum Strength while you're pregnant. This medication contains aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and simethicone. Aluminum hydroxide isn't recommended during pregnancy because it can cause constipation and lower the amount of calcium in your body. Also, there isn't enough information to know whether magnesium hydroxide is safe to take while pregnant. Calcium carbonate (Tums) is considered a safer choice for relieving heartburn during pregnancy. You can take simethicone on its own for gas relief. Simethicone isn't absorbed into the bloodstream, so it shouldn't affect your baby. Regardless, it's always best to talk to your provider before taking any medications while pregnant.
No. Store Mylanta Maximum Strength at room temperature. Don't put it in the refrigerator or freezer because this can damage the medication.
Both Mylanta Maximum Strength and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) are used to relieve symptoms of upset stomach like heartburn, indigestion, gas, and burping. But bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) can also treat diarrhea, whereas Mylanta Maximum Strength can potentially cause diarrhea. Another difference is the active ingredients of each brand. Mylanta Maximum Strength is a combination of aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and simethicone. On the other hand, the active ingredient in Pepto is bismuth subsalicylate.
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Risks and warnings for Mylanta Maximum Strength
Mylanta Maximum Strength can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Toxicity from too much magnesium
- Risk factors: Kidney problems | Taking other medications containing magnesium
Mylanta Maximum Strength contains magnesium. Your kidneys help remove magnesium from the body. So if your kidneys don't work well, magnesium can build up in your blood. Additionally, taking other medications containing magnesium can raise your risk for high magnesium levels too. Too much magnesium can lead to serious complications, like low blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, muscle and reflex problems, and breathing problems.
Contact your provider right away if you're taking Mylanta Maximum Strength and you have flushed skin, nausea or vomiting, and weak muscles. These can be early signs of having too much magnesium in your blood.
Toxicity from too much aluminum
- Risk factors: Kidney problems | Taking other medications containing aluminum
Mylanta Maximum Strength contains aluminum. Taking too much Mylanta Maximum Strength can cause high blood aluminum levels. This can lead to aluminum toxicity, which can include nervous system or bone problems.
Don't take Mylanta Maximum Strength if you have kidney problems without speaking with your provider first to make sure it's safe for you to use. Avoid taking other medications that have aluminum in them to avoid having aluminum levels that are too high. Contact your provider if you notice any signs or symptoms of aluminum poisoning like weakness, speech problems, movement problems, bone pain, or seizures.
Mylanta Maximum Strength dosage
Bottle of oral suspension| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 355ml of 800mg/800mg/80mg/10ml | 1 bottle | $4.71 | $4.71 |
| 355ml of 400mg/400mg/40mg/10ml | 1 bottle | $4.87 | $4.87 |
Typical dosage for Mylanta Maximum Strength
Mylanta Maximum Strength contains 400 mg of aluminum hydroxide, 400 mg of magnesium hydroxide, and 40 mg of simethicone per 5 mL.
- Adults and children ages 12 years or older: The typical dose is 2 to 4 teaspoonfuls (or 10 to 20 mL) between meals, at bedtime, or as directed by your provider. Don't take more than 12 teaspoonfuls (60 mL) in a 24-hour period.
- Children under 12 years old: Ask your child's provider.
How much does Mylanta Maximum Strength cost?
$4.71
What are alternatives to Mylanta Maximum Strength?
