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aluminum hydroxide (Alternagel, Amphojel, Alu-Cap, Dialume, AlH3OH)
Tradename: Alternagel, Amphojel, Alu-Cap, Dialume. Al(OH)3
Indications:
1) symptomatic treatment of dyspepsia, peptic ulcer, GERD, hiatal hernia
2) hyperphosphatemia in non-renal impaired patients
3) skin irritation, including diaper rash [4]
4) stress ulcer prophylaxis [4]
Contraindications:
pregnancy-category :value +, ? 1st trimester
safety-in-lactation :value ?
Dosage:
1) 500-1500 mg PO up to 6 times daily
2) 1-3 capsules 1-3 hours after meals & QHS PRN
Tabs: 300(?), 475, 500, 600(?) mg.
Suspension:
1) 320 mg/5 mL, 450 mg/5 mL, 600 mg/5 mL, 675 mg/5 mL.
2) 5-30 mL 1 & 3 hours after meals & QHS PRN
Pharmacokinetics:
1) elimination :route kidney
2) usual duration of action is 20-60 minutes if taken after meals
3) effects may persist for up to 3 hours
Adverse effects:
1) common (> 10%)
- constipation
- chalky taste
- stomach cramps
- fecal impactation
2) less common (1-10%)
- nausea/vomiting, discoloration of feces (white speckles)
3) uncommon (< 1%)
- hypophosphatemia, hypomagnesemia
3) other
- decrease in GI motility
- long term use in patients with renal failure may result in aluminum toxicity
Drug interactions:
- decreased absorption of many medications including:
- tetracyclines, digoxin, iron salts, isoniazid, allopurinol, corticosteroids, penicillamine, phenothiazines, H2 receptor antagonists
Mechanism of action:
1) increased pH of gastric secretions
2) aluminum binds phosphate in food within the intestine
Interactions
drug interactions
drug adverse effects of antacid(s)
Related
Al+3 (aluminum ion)
General
antacid
phosphate binder
Database Correlations
PUBCHEM cid=3026338
References
- The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed.
Gilman et al, eds. Permagon Press/McGraw Hill, 1996
- Drug Information & Medication Formulary, Veterans Affairs,
Central California Health Care System, 1st ed., Ravnan et al
eds, 1998
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California Regional Drug
Formulary, 1998
- Deprecated Reference
Component-of
aluminum hydroxide/aspirin/magnesium hydroxide (Ascriptin)
aluminum hydroxide/dimethicone/magnesium hydroxide
aluminum hydroxide/diphenhydramine/lidocaine/magnesium hydroxide/simethicone
aluminum hydroxide/magnesium carbonate (Gaviscon)
aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide (Maalox, Mylanta)
aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide/ribonuclease/angiogenin inhibitor/simethicone
aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide/simethicone (Mylanta II, Maalox Plus)
aluminum hydroxide/magnesium trisilicate