Tums During Pregnancy: Things Pregnant Women Should Remember When Taking Tums
You should always stick to the prescribed dosage of Tums unless your doctor tells you differently, especially since Tums contains calcium. Although calcium is an essential element during pregnancy, too much of it could cause the following side effects in pregnant women:
- Constipation
- It could cause kidney stones
- Irregular heartbeat
- Other minerals, such as iron, could have trouble getting digested
Tums and thyroid medicines have a modest risk of interaction. Hence doctors recommend taking a 4 hours gap before consuming these tablets. If youre taking an iron supplement, wait at least 2 hours between taking the iron tablets and taking Tums.
Ideal Dosage Of Tums During Pregnancy
You may take two to four tablets of Tums every two hours to get the needed relief from heartburn . However, it is advisable to consult your doctor before taking any antacid. Also, always maintain a gap of at least two hours between taking an antacid and iron supplements to derive maximum benefits from both the medicines .
Here Are Some Things You Should Keep In Mind While Considering Taking Tums During Pregnancy:
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Milk Of Magnesia Or Other Laxatives
We generally do not recommend laxatives for pregnant women, although providers may recommend them under special circumstances. We are cautious with laxatives because their regular use can make your intestinal system dependent on them. Of special concern during pregnancy, laxatives can cause intestinal cramping that may be hard to differentiate from preterm labor.
That said, you are not alone in dealing with constipation during pregnancy. Many pregnant women have it, to varying degrees, and we have several suggestions that may help relieve the problem. Our first recommendation is to drink more fluidsabout three quarts a day. Most of that should be water. Fiber-rich foods also are good for reducing constipation. Eat more fruits and vegetables, whole-grain bread , brown rice, oat bran, and beans .
If you increase fluids and fiber in your diet and still have problems, then you can try a supplement, such as fiber pills or fiber powders that can be mixed with liquid. These steps will relieve most pregnancy-related constipation.
However, if you still need help after these measures, try a stool softener, such as Colace. Stool softeners are available without a prescription. If that also fails, talk with your provider about laxatives, including Milk of Magnesia. Yes, Milk of Magnesia is safe and will quickly fix the problembut it isn’t the best long-term solution during pregnancy for the reasons we described above. So, we prefer it far down the list of strategies.
Which Antacids Are Safe During Pregnancy
Antacids that are calcium-carbonate-based are safe to take.
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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?
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Discuss H2 Blockers With Your Doctor
If an antacid isn’t working, it may be time to consider stronger medications.
Your first option will likely be an H2 blocker like Tagamet or Zantac. These drugs suppress stomach-acid production. All four H2 inhibitors on the market are now available without a prescription and considered to be safe during pregnancy. But talk to your doctor before taking them.
“They really work,” says Einarson. “You only have to take one or two a day.”
Or Inquire About Proton Pump Inhibitors
If other medications don’t help, there are also proton pump inhibitors , such as Prevacid. These have a more powerful acid-suppressing effect than H2 blockers, and most are available over the counter.
Although PPIs are, in general, safe for pregnant women, animal studies have raised concerns that omeprazole could harm a developing fetus, Dr. Richter says. “My recommendation to patients would be to avoid that one because there are about five or six out there on the market, with the H2 blockers,” he says. “All of them look to be safe during pregnancy.”
Be sure to discuss any medications with your doctor.
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How Does Tums Help You During Pregnancy
The doctor might allow you to take the medicine for quick relief from heartburn caused by acidity. Usually, antacids that contain calcium and magnesium are used as the first line treatment for treating heartburn during pregnancy . Since Tums is a good source of calcium, taking them for heartburn will also increase your calcium intake and help you get the ideal amount of the nutrient during pregnancy.
The right amount of calcium in your diet prevents lead absorption in bones and may also lower the risk of hypertensive disorders and preeclampsia .
Over usage of the medicine, however, could have adverse effects on you. Next, we address some commonly asked questions about Tums during pregnancy.
A Word About Fda Pregnancy Categories
Using the letters A to D and X, the Food and Drug Administration used to assign pregnancy categories to drugs according to how safe they were to take while pregnant. These categories are no longer in use officially, but people often still refer to them for guidance.
When the lettering system was still in use, simethicone was considered category C. Category C stated that effects in human pregnancy were unknown, although some fetal damage had been observed in animal studies.
The American Family Physician Journal also classified simethicone as considered safe during pregnancy in 2014 and assigned it pregnancy category C.
Although Gas-X is considered safe during pregnancy, you may decide against it on your own or after talking to your OB. If thats the case, you may want to try some alternatives to avoid gas pain. These include:
- drinking more water and then drinking even more than that
- avoiding certain foods known to cause gas, such as beans, apples, certain dried fruits , excessive dairy, and onions
- avoiding swallowing excess air while eating or drinking by not talking while eating and not using a straw to consume liquid
- getting enough fiber
- not chewing gum
If youre already experiencing painful gas, ginger or peppermint tea might help soothe your digestive system. While other OTC options are considered pregnancy-safe, such as Maalox or Mylanta, its worth noting that they contain the same type of drug as Gas-X.
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Alternatives To Tums: What Can You Take To Treat Heartburn During Pregnancy
While you can take tums during pregnancy, the following are some medical alternatives to Tums that you should discuss with your doctor:
- Magnesium hydroxide, for example, is available over the counter.
- H2 blockers are heartburn medications that are safe to take during pregnancy.
- Sucralfate , a coating agent and prescription medication for heartburn relief.
Tums Side Effects During Pregnancy
Tums, unlike a few other medications, are likely to cause specific potential side effects while pregnant. They are as follows:
- Mouth dryness
- Belching
- Urge to urinate frequently
When taking Tums during pregnancy, you must be cautious and keep a few things in mind.
If you have a history of kidney or parathyroid gland disease, you should avoid taking Tums. Tums, which contain a high calcium content, may cause kidney stone formation and an imbalance in the bodys calcium levels.
- To avoid side effects, consult your doctor about the proper dosage to take. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
- Tums for heartburn can increase calcium intake, but it should not be used as a calcium supplement during pregnancy.
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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.
What Can I Take For Pregnancy Heartburn Besides Tums
Women often wonder if there is anything they can do to prevent or minimize the chances of the unpleasant experience of heartburn during pregnancy. Luckily for expecting mothers, there are a number of small lifestyle modifications that can help.
- Remain upright after eating: Sitting up or standing lets gravity do some of the heavy lifting to keep reflux at bay. If you need to lay down, try propping your torso and head up with some pillows.
- Eat smaller meals: Smaller meals digest more quickly, lowering the likelihood of heartburn and reflux.
- Limit spicy and acidic foods: While this might be a tough sell for anyone with pregnancy cravings for acidic foods like citrus, tomatoes, or chocolate, it should come as no surprise that acidic foods can aggravate the stomach.
- Limit greasy/fried foods: Similar to acidic foods, greasy and heavily fried foods can also cause GI upset. The fat content in these foods can also slow digestion, which can cause reflux symptoms.
Tums also isnt the only brand on the market. Other popular brands that offer calcium carbonate antacids include Mylanta, Alka-Seltzer, and even store/generic brands. Pepto-Bismol and Maalox are also antacids, though use different active ingredients.
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Are Tums Safe During Pregnancy
Indigestion, also called heartburn or acid reflux, is common in pregnancy. It can be caused by hormonal changes and the growing baby pressing against your stomach. During pregnancy, hormone changes can allow the muscles in the esophagus, including the LES, to relax more frequently. The result is that more acids may seep back up, particularly when youâre lying down or after youâve eaten a large meal.
In addition, as your fetus grows during the second and third trimesters and your uterus expands to accommodate that growth, your stomach is under more pressure. This can also result in food and acid being pushed back up into your esophagus.
What are TUMS and how do they work?
TUMS is an antacid used to relieve heartburn, sour stomach, acid indigestion, and upset stomach associated with these symptoms. Many other heartburn medications are absorbed into the bloodstream and can take hours or day to fully work. TUMS, with active ingredient Calcium Carbonate, travels directly to the source of the heartburn.
TUMS has been providing heartburn relief for more than 90 years. Created in 1928 by pharmacist James Howe to treat his wifeâs indigestion, the TUMS brand was introduced to the public in 1930 and quickly became an American favorite among antacid treatments.
Can you take TUMS while pregnant?
How should I take TUMS during pregnancy?
What other things can I do to improve my symptoms?
Can I Take Pepcid And Tums Together During Pregnancy
Sometimes Tums just are not enough to eliminate acid reflux or heartburn. Pepcid, the brand name for famotidine, is another common over-the-counter heartburn relief medication. Pepcid belongs to the H2-blocker drug class, meaning that it works to reduce reflux by reducing the amount of acid produced by the stomach.
Tums works differently than Pepcid. Instead of decreasing the amount of acid produced by the stomach, Tums neutralizes the acid already present in the stomach . Because these two medications work differently, it is safe to use them at the same time .
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Calcium Carbonate Pregnancy And Breastfeeding Warnings
Calcium carbonate is also known as: Alcalak, Amitone, Calcarb, Calci-Chew, Caltrate, Chooz, Nephro Calci, Os-Cal, Oysco 500, Oyster, Oyster Calcium, Oyster Shell, Oyster Shell Calcium, Oyster Shell Calcium 500, Pepto Childrens, Titralac, Trial Antacid, Tums Antacid Naturals, Tums Chewy Bites, Tums Chewy Delights, Tums Extra Strength 750, Tums Kids, Tums Regular Strength, Tums Smoothies, Tums Ultra 1000
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 3, 2021.
Can I Take Tums While Pregnant For Nausea
And sometimes that stomach acid gets really ambitious and does more than cause heartburn.
Enter pregnancy nausea.
As it turns out, TUMS can come to the rescue here too. As this medical review of multiple studies tells us, antacids are a good first line of defense.
That being said, if youre really struggling with your symptoms, reach out to your healthcare provider for advice. You dont have to just battle through this alone.
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How Can I Prevent Heartburn During Pregnancy
They say prevention is the best medicine, so knowing common heartburn triggers can help you keep the acid at bay.
Of course, pregnancy itself is a major trigger for heartburn. As your growing uterus puts pressure on your stomach, this pushes stomach acid up your throat.
Those lovely hormones are no help either. They tend to relax the valve between your stomach and esophagus, which makes it easier for acid to make its way upward.
While theres nothing you can do to stop this entirely, there are a few things that can help prevent heartburn from flaring up during pregnancy:
Causes Of Indigestion In Pregnancy
Symptoms of indigestion come when the acid in your stomach irritates your stomach lining or your gullet. This causes pain and a burning feeling.
When youre pregnant, youre more likely to have indigestion because of:
- hormonal changes
- the growing baby pressing on your stomach
- the muscles between your stomach and gullet relaxing, allowing stomach acid to come back up
You may be more likely to get indigestion in pregnancy if:
- you had indigestion before you were pregnant
- youve been pregnant before
- youre in the later stages of pregnancy
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Can I Take Antacids While Pregnant
What medications are safe to take during pregnancy? 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.
Side Effects Of Tums During Pregnancy
Unlike a few other medications, Tums is likely to cause specific potential side effects during pregnancy. They are:
- Dry mouth
- Belching
- Frequent urge to urinate
You need to be cautious, and keep a few things in mind when taking Tums during pregnancy.
- Avoid taking Tums if you have a history of kidney disorder or parathyroid gland disorder. Tums, which is high in calcium content, might lead to kidney stone formation and imbalance the calcium levels in the body .
- Ask your doctor about the right dosage to take to prevent side effects. Do not exceed the required dosage.
- Taking Tums for heartburn can increase your calcium intake, but the medication should not be used as a calcium supplement during pregnancy.
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Is Tums Safe During Pregnancy: Tums For Heartburn During Pregnancy
Although certain exposure to chest X-rays, minor infections, chemicals, and some drugs during pregnancy have been proven harmless, pregnant women still have to be extra careful when taking medications to avoid risks and birth defects in their unborn child. Caution towards drug intake is especially significant since most drugs pass through the placenta.
Taking Antacids With Food Alcohol And Other Medicines
Its best to take antacids with food or soon after eating because this is when youre most likely to get indigestion or heartburn.
The effect of the medicine may also last longer if taken with food.
Antacids can affect how well other medicines work, so do not take other medicines within 2 to 4 hours of taking an antacid.
You can drink alcohol while taking antacids, but alcohol can irritate your stomach and make your symptoms worse.
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Can Too Many Tums Hurt The Baby During Pregnancy
Yes, excessive intake of Tums can increase calcium levels in the body , which is known to cause maternal, fetal and neonatal complications.
Heartburn during pregnancy is extremely uncomfortable, but you can surely avoid it by making some smart changes to your diet and lifestyle. Stay away from foods and beverages that trigger gastrointestinal distress, eat small meals at frequent intervals, drink enough water every day and avoid eating close to bedtime.
Focus On Liquid Foods
You should start implementing milkshakes, smoothies, soups, yogurts and puddings in your diet because these foods are a source of protein.
I hope you enjoy this guide I prepared for you so that in the future you would know when and how to take Tums while you are pregnant. Putting up this article is essential for me because I would like to ease your confusion and concerns regarding this medication. Remember all the points I made about Tums intake, how it is important and why you shouldnt take too much. Again, you can take Tums during your pregnancy but on moderation only.
If you like this article please let me know in the comment section below! If you have more questions, dont forget to write it down too!
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