How Do Antacids Work
The stomach is responsible for breaking up food into digestible substances which can be absorbed by the intestines. However, there are instances where there is an imbalance in the production of stomach acids that can lead to discomfort. Antacids are used to regulate this imbalance and help restore balance in the digestive system.
If You’re Taking Prescription Medicines
Speak to your GP if you’re taking medicine for another condition, such as antidepressants, and you think it may be making your indigestion worse. They may be able to prescribe an alternative medicine.
Never stop taking a prescribed medicine unless you’re advised to do so by your GP or another qualified healthcare professional who’s responsible for your care.
When To Get Medical Help
See your midwife or GP if you need help managing your symptoms or if changes to your diet and lifestyle do not work. They may recommend medicine to ease your symptoms.
You should also see your midwife or GP if you have any of the following:
- difficulty eating or keeping food down
- weight loss
- stomach pains
Your midwife or GP may ask about your symptoms and examine you by pressing gently on different areas of your chest and stomach to see whether it’s painful.
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Home Remedies To Deal With Heartburn While You Are Pregnant
Instead of using Tums pills or other dr*gs that are potentially harmful to you and your baby, you can use natural remedies to defeat heartburn. Here are the natural remedies that are famous for this disorder.
However, if the trouble continues, you should consult your doctor and ask for a specific cure, do not insist on natural remedies if you notice no improvement.
Here are the main natural remedies for heartburn:
Can Pepcid Cause Birth Defects
Available studies do not show an increased chance of birth defects or other pregnancy problems when famotidine is taken during pregnancy. Could taking famotidine cause other pregnancy complications? It is not known if taking famotidine during pregnancy increases the chance of pregnancy complications.
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Do Not Take It As A Calcium Supplement
As what Ive discussed earlier, Tums has a fair amount of calcium that your fetus might need. You really need calcium for the fetuses bones to develop however, tums shouldnt be the supplement for calcium. To add more calcium in your body, dont just focus on taking Tums. Concentrate on adding foods which are rich in calcium in your daily diet. You can drink plenty of milk and eat foods with dairy products as ingredients.
Is It Safe To Take Antacids During Pregnancy
Heartburn and acidity are common concerns during pregnancy. The digestive system is affected by the changes in hormones, increased blood flow and the pressure from the growing baby. This is when you would want to take an antacid to get relief from these symptoms.
But you are in a dilemma because you do not know whether or not antacids are safe during pregnancy. In this post, MomJunction tells you if it is safe to take antacids during pregnancy, the ones that you should avoid, and natural alternatives to antacids.
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Don’t Treat Tums Like Candy
As with most things, moderation is key. According to the manufacturer’s website, pregnant individuals are advised to limit themselves to a maximum of 15 TUMS Regular Strength 500 within any 24 hour period. The maximums differ from product to product, so be sure to read the bottle carefully and consult with a healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns.
Dr. Clark suggests keeping an eye on intake and symptoms. “If you find you are using TUMS daily or they do not relieve your symptoms, be sure to let your obstetrical care provider know.”
But if TUMS aren’t working to relieve your symptoms after a while, don’t fret. “It may be time to consider alternative therapy for your symptoms of GERD, like a prescription medication,” says Dr. Clark.
Medicines For Indigestion And Heartburn
Medicines for indigestion and heartburn during pregnancy include:
- antacids to neutralise the acid in your stomach
- alginates to relieve indigestion caused by acid reflux by stopping the acid in your stomach coming back up your gullet
You may only need to take antacids and alginates when you start getting symptoms. However, your GP may recommend taking them before symptoms come on for example, before a meal or before bed.
If you’re taking iron supplements as well as antacids, do not take them at the same time. Antacids can stop iron from being absorbed by your body.
If antacids and alginates do not improve your symptoms, your GP may prescribe a medicine to reduce the amount of acid in your stomach. 2 that are widely used in pregnancy and not known to be harmful to an unborn baby are:
- ranitidine a tablet you take twice a day
- omeprazole a tablet you take once a day
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Here are some things you need to be careful about, if you do take Tums when pregnant:
- While talking to your doctor about taking Tums, make sure you get the dosage right. There is a good chance that the dosage you need to take now is different from the dosage you would have taken when not pregnant. Try to keep track of how many tablets you should take in a day, and do not exceed the dosage under any circumstance. Always consult your doctor for any change that you might want to make, for example, if youre feeling like the medicine isnt really working.
- Now that you know these has a large amount of calcium in it, do not start thinking of it as a sort of calcium supplement, because it isnt. Upping the dosage of it during your pregnancy because your body requires more calcium will do more harm than good. Instead, focus on adding more calcium rich foods to your diet. If your body is still falling short on calcium, get your doctor to prescribe some calcium supplements.
- Tums is a serious no-no for anyone with kidney problems. Even if you dont have any kidney problems but have been placed on high risk for chances of developing them, you must stay away from Tums. This is because the calcium present in Tums could lead to stones forming in your kidneys.
- Tums could possibly lead to teratogenicity. If taken in the first trimester, it could potentially lead to a condition known as teratogenicity .
Additionally, Tums could also cause the following side effects during pregnancy:
Can Tums Hurt A Baby
A one-time ingestion of Tums is not usually a problem. There can be minor stomach upset, and maybe diarrhea or constipation. If you notice that your child has ingested Tums, it is important not to panic. Take the product away from the child and wipe their mouth out with a soft wet cloth.
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Is It Safe To Use Pepto
There is very little research into the effects of Pepto-Bismol on breastmilk or breastfed infants.
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, it may be better to avoid Pepto-Bismol when breastfeeding, as it is possible that breast milk can absorb salicylate.
Many people experience an upset stomach, heartburn, or diarrhea during pregnancy. Persistent diarrhea can interfere with a persons ability to absorb nutrients from food, which may affect the developing baby.
Certain medications may be safe to use while pregnant, as long as a person does so under a doctors care and instructions. Medicines that may be safe can include specific antacids, acid reducers, and proton-pump inhibitors.
It is essential for people to remember that recommendations about various medications are subject to change based on new research, including the information given here.
Due to the ever-changing picture, people should always talk to their doctor before taking any medication while pregnant.
Treatment Of Heartburn During Pregnancy
If your heartburn wonât go away, see your doctor. They may prescribe or recommend OTC medications that are safe to take during pregnancy. Heartburn usually disappears following childbirth.
Medications may include:
Over-the-counter antacids such as calcium carbonate or magnesium hydroxide. These are generally safe to use during pregnancy. You may find that liquid heartburn relievers are more effective in treating heartburn, because they coat the esophagus.
H2 blockers. These medications block chemical signals that produce stomach acid. They include cimetidine and famotidine , and theyâre available in over the counter and prescription strengths.
Proton pump inhibitors . Like H2 blockers, these drugs help cut down on stomach acid. PPIs, which include lansoprazole and omeprazole , are available over the counter and by prescription.
If you take iron supplements, talk to your doctor before you take a PPI or H2 blocker. These medications can make the supplements less effective.
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Heartburn Symptoms Common In Pregnant Women
Expecting mothers may have never experienced indigestion or heartburn symptoms before becoming pregnant, yet 70 to 80% of pregnant women eventually do experience these symptoms. This is due to a hormone called progesterone created by the placenta, which relaxes certain uterus muscles that otherwise work to separate the esophagus from the stomach. Gastric acids are eventually freed to work upward causing the heartburn symptoms and discomfort.
Avoid Having Too Many Fluids During Meals
Drinking during a meal is normal, but it can cause problems. You must try not to drink too much liquid during the meal .
Ingesting too much fluid while eating will stretch your stomach and make you more prone to gas and fluttery. While eating, always try to drink water in small sips and never too quickly.
Also, try to avoid drinking and chewing together, first chew and swallow the food and then drink. Try to avoid drinking carbonated drinks during meals because they will swell the stomach, limiting the consumption of alcohol and try to drink water at room temperature, not too cold and not too hot.
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When Can I Expect Heartburn To End
Someday, scientists may very well invent a miracle medication that promises permanent pregnancy heartburn relief. Unfortunately, that hasnt happened yet.
So, if youre wondering how long you can expect to deal with heartburn while youre pregnant, it will probably be throughout your entire pregnancy.
However, just because theres no cure, that doesnt mean you cant find some relief in the meantime.
A Guide On Reducing Heartburn
The primary reason why you are taking Tums is to relieve yourselves from heartburn pain right? I already gave you a guide on how to take Tums properly, and now Im introducing you to a guide on how to reduce heartburn. If you are still in doubt whether to take Tums or not, but still wants the heartburn away, then you should read on.
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Which Antacids Are Safe During Pregnancy
Antacids that are calcium-carbonate-based are safe to take.
But antacids that are sodium-bicarbonate-based are not a good idea. Thats because they have the potential to cause fluid buildup.
Also, steer clear of antacids that contain magnesium trisilicate, as these can be harmful to your baby.
Next question: How many TUMS can I take while pregnant?
What Is The Difference Between Pepcid And Pepcid Ac
PEPCID® is an H2 blocker. Both Original Strength and Maximum Strength PEPCID AC® begin to work in 15-30 minutes, and help control acid all day or all night. * Dual Action PEPCID COMPLETE® combines an H2 blocker with an antacid, so it starts neutralizing acid in seconds, but has the long-lasting relief of an H2 blocker.
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Can You Take Tums While Pregnant 6 Steps You Need To Know
Are you a first time? Do you have a lot of things in mind about what to take and what not during your pregnancy? Can you take Tums while pregnant? Well then, worry no more! In this article, Im going to explain what does Tums do to your body and how you should intake it.
What Can A Pregnant Woman Take For Acid Reflux
Over-the-counter antacids such as Tums, Rolaids, and Maalox may help you cope with occasional heartburn symptoms. Those made of calcium carbonate or magnesium are good options. However, it may be best to avoid magnesium during the last trimester of pregnancy. Magnesium could interfere with contractions during labor.
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Welcome To Prilosec 20 Mg Capsules
Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily before a meal. This medication may also be given through a tube into the stomach . Dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to treatment. In children, the dosage is also based on weight.
Prilosec OTC is a 14-day regimen that can be used up to three times a year, but not more often than every 4 months. If you need to use Prilosec OTC for more than the three indicated 14-day courses of treatment, consult with your doctor.
The active ingredient omeprazole works to fight heartburn differently from treatments like acid controllers/H2s or antacids. One of the best benefits of omeprazole is experiencing heartburn relief for 24 hours after only taking 1 pill a day.* But its not the only benefit. Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor and PPIs are the strongest class of frequent heartburn medicines.
What Can I Take For Heartburn While Pregnant Besides Tums
If TUMS dont work for you, there are other options.
Acid reducers such as Zantac should be safe to use during pregnancy.
Proton pump inhibitors might also be appropriate, particularly if you are suffering from very frequent heartburn.
Its always worth talking to your doctor about which option will be best for you.
Other things that can help with heartburn while youre pregnant?
- Minimize your intake of foods that are high in acid, like citrus fruits and vinegar
- Keep the coffee and chocolate to a minimum
- Try to avoid overly processed, highly seasoned, and very fatty foods
- Ditch the chewing gum, particularly just after eating
- Leave a gap between dinner and bedtime
We hope you get some relief.
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How Many Tums Can You Take When Pregnant
Dont take more than 10 regular-strength tablets in 24 hoursthats according to TUMS themselves.
A good guideline is to take two regular strength TUMS every four to six hours when you need them.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, if you are taking iron supplements, space them out from your TUMS intake so you get the maximum benefit from both.
Can I Overdose On Tums
Serious side effects can happen with an overdose or overuse of antacids. Side effects include constipation, diarrhea, change in the color of bowel movements, and stomach cramps. Products containing calcium may cause kidney stones and are more likely to cause constipation.
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Is It Safe To Take Antacid While Pregnant
An antacid syrup can help provide instant relief against heartburn and acidity during pregnancy. In fact, syrups are preferred over antacid tablets while pregnant as the syrup variety can readily dissolve and work faster. The majority of antacids that are available are safe to be consumed. However, there are some which can be quite dangerous and even lead to a miscarriage. The key is to have antacids in moderation and get your doctors approval.
Dosage And Frequency Of Tums
Like any other prescription or over-the-counter drug medicine, the dosage and frequency of Tums should ideally come from your doctor. That said, there are some general guidelines to follow when using Tums for heartburn during pregnancy.
Kimberly Langdon, MD, OB/GYN says Tums works best when taken frequently on the order of every 4 hours because it neutralizes the acid rather than preventing it from being released.
With that in mind, Langdon says expecting mothers can take a maximum of two tablets every 46 hours as needed for heartburn.
In general, most women will do fine at this dosage it may only be problematic in women with a history of calcium oxalate kidney stones, says Langdon.
Tums comes in a variety of strengths, and most of the recommendations for pregnancy refer to the regular strength, which is the lowest dose at 500 milligrams.
And according to the manufacturer, pregnant women shouldnt exceed 10 tablets in a 24 hour period, and for no longer than two weeks, except under the supervision of a doctor.
Unless your doctor says otherwise, you should always stick to the recommended dosage, especially since Tums has calcium.
Although calcium is a much-needed mineral during pregnancy, too much of it can lead to
- increased risk of developing kidney stones
- irregular heartbeat
- possible trouble absorbing other minerals, such as iron
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Make Sure You Understand The Dosage
You must speak with your doctor and have clear indications of health and to take medicine correctly. Make sure you understand the exact dosage and if you do not want to risk any mistakes ask the doctor to write all the instructions on a piece of paper.
Learn these instructions by heart because they will help you always to take the right dose of Tums. Always follow the instructions and never take any action regarding the dosage of medicines.Dosage is essential and taking too much, or too little medicine is very harmful to your health.
