Alcid Tablet: Complete Guide to Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and Safety
When to Call Your Doctor IMMEDIATELY
- Blood in vomit or black, tarry stools
- Severe or persistent abdominal pain
- Difficulty swallowing or food getting stuck
- Unexplained weight loss with acid symptoms
- Chest pain or shortness of breath
- Swelling of the face, lips, or throat
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Decreased urine output or swelling of the legs
If experiencing severe symptoms, call emergency services immediately.
What is alcid tablet used for?
This medicine is an oral antacid containing aluminium hydroxide 300 mg and magnesium 550 mg. It neutralizes excess stomach acid to relieve heartburn, acid indigestion, and reflux symptoms. It acts within minutes and usually lasts one to three hours. It should be taken after meals and at bedtime, and separated from other medicines by at least two hours.
- Generic Name: Aluminium Hydroxide + Magnesium
- Manufacturer: Alkem Laboratories Ltd
- Form: Allopathy
- Pregnancy Category: Consult doctor
- Prescription Required: Yes
🇮🇳 alcid tablet के बारे में (Hindi Summary)
उपयोग: यह दवा एल्युमिनियम हाइड्रॉक्साइड 300 मिलीग्राम और मैग्नीशियम 550 मिलीग्राम का मिश्रण है। यह पेट में बनने वाले अतिरिक्त एसिड को तुरंत बेअसर करती है। इसका उपयोग सीने में जलन, खट्टी डकार, एसिडिटी, गैस और रिफ्लक्स के कारण होने वाली जलन में राहत के लिए किया जाता है। यह दवा खाने के एक से दो घंटे बाद और रात को सोने से पहले लेने पर सबसे अच्छा काम करती है। यह एसिड को कम करके पेट और अन्नप्रणाली को आराम देती है। इसे डॉक्टर की सलाह के बिना दो हफ्ते से ज्यादा लगातार नहीं लेना चाहिए। गुर्दे की गंभीर बीमारी वाले लोगों को इसका लंबे समय तक इस्तेमाल नहीं करना चाहिए।
साइड इफेक्ट्स: इस दवा को सही मात्रा में लेने पर ज्यादातर लोगों को कोई परेशानी नहीं होती। कुछ लोगों को कब्ज या दस्त की शिकायत हो सकती है, क्योंकि एल्युमिनियम कब्ज करता है और मैग्नीशियम दस्त ला सकता है। मुँह में चॉक जैसा स्वाद, हल्की मतली या पेट में भारीपन भी हो सकता है। ये लक्षण आमतौर पर हल्के होते हैं और दवा बंद करने या मात्रा कम करने पर ठीक हो जाते हैं। गुर्दे की बीमारी वाले लोगों में लंबे समय तक ज्यादा मात्रा लेने से मैग्नीशियम बढ़ सकता है, जिससे कमजोरी, भ्रम या धड़कन अनियमित हो सकती है। ऐसा होने पर तुरंत डॉक्टर से मिलें।
सुरक्षा सलाह: इस दवा को पैकेट पर लिखी मात्रा या डॉक्टर की सलाह के अनुसार ही लें। बिना सलाह दो हफ्ते से ज्यादा लगातार इस्तेमाल न करें। इसे खाने के एक से दो घंटे बाद और रात को सोने से पहले पानी के साथ लें। अगर आपको गुर्दे की बीमारी, दिल की बीमारी या फॉस्फेट की कमी है तो पहले डॉक्टर से पूछें। इस दवा और दूसरी दवाओं के बीच कम से कम दो घंटे का अंतर रखें, क्योंकि यह दूसरी दवाओं का असर कम कर सकती है। शराब और ज्यादा चाय-कॉफी से बचें, क्योंकि ये एसिडिटी बढ़ाते हैं। अगर काला मल, खून की उल्टी, तेज पेट दर्द या सांस लेने में तकलीफ हो तो तुरंत डॉक्टर से मिलें।
💊 alcid tablet Uses & Benefits
[{"condition":"Heartburn and acid indigestion","description":"Provides rapid neutralization of stomach acid to relieve burning chest discomfort after meals.","evidence":"Well-established"},{"condition":"Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptom relief","description":"Used as add-on therapy for breakthrough symptoms of acid reflux while definitive treatment continues.","evidence":"Well-established"},{"condition":"Peptic ulcer symptom relief","description":"Relieves ulcer pain by reducing acid contact with the ulcer surface, but does not eradicate infection or heal the ulcer alone.","evidence":"Established as adjunct"},{"condition":"Dyspepsia related to meals","description":"Eases fullness, bloating, and upper abdominal discomfort associated with acid irritation.","evidence":"Well-established"},{"condition":"Prevention of drug-induced gastric irritation","description":"Sometimes used to reduce stomach upset from medicines such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.","evidence":"Limited"}]
Off-label uses: [{"condition":"Hyperphosphataemia in chronic kidney disease","description":"Aluminium hydroxide can bind dietary phosphate, but this is a specialised use requiring strict medical supervision and is not the purpose of this combination product.","evidence":"Established for aluminium salts, not for this combination"},{"condition":"Prevention of stress ulcer in critically ill patients","description":"Antacids have been used historically, but modern practice prefers other acid-suppressing agents.","evidence":"Limited and superseded"}]
Primary treatment for: Acid-related gastrointestinal disorders such as heartburn, acid indigestion, and gastro-oesophageal reflux.
Also treats: Peptic ulcer disease symptom relief, Functional dyspepsia, Gastritis with acid irritation
📋 Drug Information
| Generic Name(s) | Aluminium Hydroxide + Magnesium |
| Brand Name | Antacid Tablet |
| Manufacturer | Alkem Laboratories Ltd |
| Packaging / Form | Varies by brand (Allopathy) |
| Therapeutic Class | GASTRO INTESTINAL |
| Action Class | Antacid |
| Route of Administration | Oral. This medicine is taken by mouth as a tablet and is not intended for any other route |
| Storage | Store at room temperature between 15°C and 30°C in a dry place. Keep the tablets in their original container, tightly closed, away from direct sunlight and moisture. |
| Shelf Life | Refer to the expiry date printed on the pack. Do not use the tablets after the expiry date. |
| WHO Guideline | Not established from the available information. |
| ICMR Guideline | Not established from the available information. |
👨⚕️ Doctor's Practical Tips
Evidence-based practical advice from experienced clinicians
🔍 Is This Medicine Right for Your Symptom?
Educational reference. Always consult a doctor for diagnosis.
🔬 How This Medicine Works (Pharmacology)
Pharmacokinetics
How It Works
This medicine works locally in the stomach without entering the bloodstream in any significant amount. Aluminium hydroxide is a weak base that reacts with hydrochloric acid to form aluminium chloride and water, raising the pH of gastric contents. Magnesium, supplied here as a magnesium salt, also neutralizes acid rapidly and contributes to the overall buffering effect. The combination raises gastric pH, which reduces the irritant effect of acid on the oesophagus and stomach lining. Because the reaction is chemical and local, the effect depends on how much acid is present and how long the antacid stays in the stomach. The aluminium component dissolves slowly and provides a longer duration of action, while the magnesium component gives a quicker onset. The two salts also offset each other's effects on bowel movement, which improves tolerability.
Mechanism Steps
💡 How to Take alcid tablet
Strength: Each tablet contains aluminium hydroxide 300 mg and magnesium 550 mg. This is an immediate-release oral tablet.
Dosage Information
| Adult Dosage | For adults, this medicine is usually taken as one or two tablets chewed or swallowed with water, one to two hours after meals and at bedtime, or as needed for heartburn. The exact dose and frequency depend on the severity of symptoms and the underlying condition. Dose must be individualized by a qualified clinician based on indication, age, weight, renal and hepatic function. Do not exceed the maximum daily dose stated on the label or advised by your doctor. |
| Pediatric Dosage | Pediatric dosing is not established from available information. Consult a pediatrician. |
| Elderly Dosage | Older adults may use this medicine in the same way as other adults, but they are more likely to have reduced kidney function. Because aluminium and magnesium can accumulate when the kidneys are impaired, elderly patients should use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time and consult a doctor before prolonged use. |
| Renal Impairment | Patients with mild kidney impairment may use this medicine occasionally, but prolonged or high-dose use should be avoided. In moderate to severe kidney impairment or dialysis, this medicine should generally be avoided unless specifically prescribed and monitored by a kidney specialist, because of the risk of aluminium and magnesium accumulation. |
| Hepatic Impairment | No specific dose adjustment is required for liver disease, because this medicine is not metabolized by the liver. However, any underlying liver condition should be discussed with your doctor before starting treatment. |
| Maximum Daily Dose | Do not exceed the maximum daily dose printed on the product label or advised by your clinician. For self-care use, follow the package instructions strictly and do not use for more than two weeks without medical advice. |
Dosage Timeline
🍽️ Food Timing Guide
⏰ What to Do If You Miss a Dose
⚠️ Side Effects of alcid tablet
✅ Common Side Effects
🚨 Serious Side Effects
⚠️ Rare Side Effects
Consult your doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms.
🔬 Drug Interactions
| Drug | Severity | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Tetracycline | Major | |
| Ciprofloxacin | Major | |
| Levothyroxine | Major | |
| Iron supplements | Major | |
| Alendronate | Moderate | |
| Ketoconazole | Moderate | |
| Itraconazole | Moderate | |
| Sodium polystyrene sulfonate | Moderate | |
| Aspirin | Minor | |
| Phenytoin | Minor |
🚨 Major Interactions
- Tetracycline and doxycycline antibiotics
- Fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin
- Iron supplements
- Levothyroxine
⚡ Moderate Interactions
- Bisphosphonates such as alendronate
- Ketoconazole and itraconazole
- Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
🍷 Alcohol Interaction
Alcohol increases stomach acid production and can worsen heartburn and reflux symptoms. It may also irritate the stomach lining. It is best to avoid alcohol while you are being treated for acid-related symptoms, because it works against the benefit of this medicine.
🔎 Check Your Other Medicines
Educational tool. Always confirm with your doctor or pharmacist.
🛡️ Safety & Warnings
🚫 Contraindications
["Known allergy to aluminium hydroxide, magnesium salts, or any component of this medicine","Severe kidney disease or kidney failure without specialist supervision","Hypermagnesaemia or hyperaluminium states","Hypophosphataemia","Bowel obstruction or severe constipation","Use in children below the age recommended by the manufacturer unless advised by a paediatrician"]
⚠️ Warnings & Precautions
["Do not use this medicine continuously for more than two weeks without medical advice.","Separate this medicine from other oral medicines by at least two hours to avoid reduced absorption.","Use with caution in elderly patients and those with kidney disease, heart failure, or dehydration.","Avoid taking large doses with large amounts of milk or calcium supplements because of the rare risk of milk-alkali syndrome.","Do not use this medicine to treat unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing, or persistent vomiting without medical evaluation.","Keep out of reach of children.","Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding."]
🤱 Lactation Safety
This medicine is considered compatible with breastfeeding because systemic absorption of aluminium and magnesium is very low. Only tiny amounts are expected to pass into breast milk. Short-term use in standard doses is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor if you need to use it for more than a few days.
💊 Overdose Management
Overdose with this medicine is uncommon because it is poorly absorbed. Large doses may cause diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, or vomiting. In patients with kidney impairment, overdose can lead to dangerous hypermagnesaemia with weakness, confusion, low blood pressure, and irregular heartbeat. Treatment is supportive and includes stopping the medicine, monitoring electrolytes and kidney function, and seeking immediate medical care. Do not try to induce vomiting unless instructed by a healthcare professional.
⏰ Missed Dose
This medicine is usually taken when symptoms occur, so a strict schedule may not apply. If you are on a scheduled dose and miss it, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for the next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Additional Safety Advice
Take this medicine exactly as directed on the label or by your clinician. Do not exceed the stated dose or use it continuously for more than two weeks without medical advice. Chew or swallow the tablet with water as instructed, and take it one to two hours after meals and at bedtime for best effect. If you have kidney disease, heart failure, or are on a low-magnesium or low-phosphate diet, speak to your doctor before using this medicine. Keep a gap of at least two hours between this medicine and other oral medicines, because it can reduce their absorption. Avoid alcohol and large amounts of caffeine, as they can worsen acid symptoms. Stop and seek medical help if you develop black stools, vomiting of blood, severe abdominal pain, or signs of an allergic reaction.
👴 Special Considerations for Elderly
💡 For Patients Above 65
Older adults are more likely to have reduced kidney function, which increases the risk of aluminium and magnesium accumulation. They should use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time and avoid prolonged self-treatment. Elderly patients taking multiple medicines should be especially careful about separating doses, because antacids can reduce the absorption of many drugs.
🤰 Pregnancy Planning (TTC)
If you are trying to conceive, short-term use of this medicine in recommended doses is generally considered acceptable. However, you should inform your doctor about all medicines you take. If you need frequent antacids, your doctor may evaluate you for underlying reflux or other conditions and suggest a safer long-term plan.
🏥 Post-Surgery Considerations
After surgery, especially abdominal or bariatric surgery, do not start this medicine without your surgeon's advice. Antacids can affect the absorption of post-operative medicines and may interact with the surgical plan. Follow your surgical team's instructions about diet, medicines, and acid suppression.
🦷 Dental Procedures
This medicine does not usually affect dental procedures. However, if you are taking other medicines for pain or infection, tell your dentist about all your medicines, because antacids can interact with some antibiotics and painkillers. Maintain good oral hygiene, as acid reflux can erode tooth enamel over time.
💚 Lifestyle Tips for Better Results
🏋️ Exercise Considerations
Regular light exercise is good for digestion and weight control, but avoid vigorous exercise or bending immediately after meals, as this can worsen reflux. Wait at least two hours after eating before doing intense workouts or core exercises. If exercise triggers heartburn, take your antacid as advised and adjust your routine.
🥗 Diet Recommendations
💼 Impact on Daily Work & Life
This medicine does not usually cause drowsiness or affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. You can continue your normal work and daily activities. However, if you have frequent or severe acid symptoms, they may affect your sleep, concentration, and productivity. Treating the symptoms and making lifestyle changes can improve your work performance and overall quality of life.
🛑 When to Stop This Medicine
Stop this medicine and consult a doctor if your symptoms do not improve within two weeks, if they worsen, or if you develop red-flag signs such as black stools, vomiting blood, difficulty swallowing, or unexplained weight loss. Do not stop any other prescribed medicine without your doctor's advice. If you are using this medicine for a specific condition advised by your doctor, follow their instructions about when to stop.
📅 Long-Term Use Effects
Long-term continuous use of this medicine without medical supervision can lead to phosphate depletion, which may cause muscle weakness, bone pain, and, rarely, osteomalacia. In people with kidney impairment, aluminium and magnesium can accumulate and cause toxicity, including encephalopathy and hypermagnesaemia. Prolonged use may also mask serious underlying conditions such as ulcers or stomach cancer. If you need this medicine for more than two weeks, consult a doctor for proper evaluation and a safer long-term treatment plan.
🌿 Non-Medicine Approaches
These can complement medicine but do not replace prescribed treatment.
Smaller meals, avoiding trigger foods, weight loss, and elevating the head of the bed can reduce reflux symptoms.
Evidence: Well-establishedReduce acid production for longer periods and are used for frequent or severe reflux and ulcer healing.
Evidence: Well-establishedReduce acid secretion and are useful for night-time symptoms.
Evidence: Well-establishedSome people use ginger, chamomile, or cold milk for mild relief, but evidence is limited and they should not replace medical treatment.
Evidence: Limited💉 Vaccination Considerations
💉 If You're Getting Vaccinated
This medicine does not interfere with vaccines. There is no need to delay vaccination because of antacid use. If you are unwell with severe acid symptoms, discuss with your doctor whether to postpone non-urgent vaccination.
📦 Storage Guide
✅ DO
Store at room temperature between 15°C and 30°C
❌ DON'T
Do not store in the refrigerator unless the label says so
✅ DO
Keep the tablets in the original container with the label intact
❌ DON'T
Do not transfer tablets to unmarked containers
✅ DO
Keep away from direct sunlight and moisture
❌ DON'T
Do not store in the bathroom cabinet
✅ DO
Keep out of reach of children
❌ DON'T
Do not use after the expiry date
✈️ Traveling with This Medicine
Carry this medicine in its original packaging with the label intact. Keep a copy of your prescription or a doctor's note if you are travelling internationally, especially for longer trips. Store it in a cool, dry place in your hand luggage, away from direct sunlight and moisture. If you are crossing time zones, take the medicine according to your symptoms rather than a strict clock schedule. Check the customs rules of your destination country for carrying over-the-counter medicines. Do not leave tablets in a hot car or in checked baggage that may be exposed to extreme temperatures.
💰 Cost Analysis & Savings
👥 Real Patient Stories
Educational, anonymized scenarios. Individual results may vary.
💬 Questions Patients Often Ask
A: Relief usually starts within a few minutes because the magnesium component acts quickly. The effect generally lasts one to three hours.
A: You can, but you must separate the doses by at least two hours. This medicine can reduce the absorption of antibiotics, thyroid medicines, iron, and some other drugs.
A: It is not meant for continuous long-term use without medical advice. Prolonged use can cause phosphate depletion and, in kidney disease, magnesium accumulation.
A: Stop the medicine and contact your doctor or a poison control centre. Large doses can cause diarrhoea, electrolyte problems, and, in kidney disease, serious magnesium excess.
A: Short-term use in recommended doses is generally considered acceptable, but you should confirm with your doctor or pharmacist first.
A: Alcohol worsens acid symptoms and stomach irritation. It is best to avoid alcohol while you are being treated for acidity.
🤔 Common Patient Concerns
🛑 Myths vs. Facts
- Myth: This medicine can cure ulcers permanently.
Fact: This medicine only neutralizes acid and relieves symptoms. It does not eradicate Helicobacter pylori or heal ulcers on its own. - Myth: More tablets mean faster relief.
Fact: Taking more than the recommended dose does not improve relief and increases the risk of side effects such as diarrhoea or electrolyte imbalance. - Myth: This medicine is completely free of interactions.
Fact: It can reduce the absorption of many medicines, including antibiotics, thyroid hormones, and iron supplements, so doses must be separated. - Myth: It is safe to take this medicine for months without advice.
Fact: Prolonged use without medical supervision can cause phosphate depletion, magnesium accumulation, and other problems, especially in kidney disease.
🔄 Alternative Options
Generic Alternatives
- Aluminium hydroxide 300 mg + magnesium 550 mg tablet
- Aluminium hydroxide + magnesium hydroxide chewable tablet
- Aluminium hydroxide + magnesium carbonate tablet
Brand Alternatives
- Alcid
- Digene
- Gelusil
- Mucaine
- Cremaffin
- Aciloc
- Rantac