Aluminum Hydroxide/Magnesium Hydroxide (Maalox, Extra-Strength Maalox)

Category:

  • Gastrointestinal

Description:

  • Antacid

Indications:

  • Duodenal ulcer

  • Dyspepsia

  • Gastric ulcer

  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Contraindications:

  • Ulcerative colitis; patients with colostomy, diverticulitis, or ileostomy

  • Children <6 years, CHF, edema, preeclampsia

Precautions:

  • Patients with chronic diarrhea and/or renal impairment

  • Patients with constipation or fecal impaction, undiagnosed rectal or GI bleeding

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

  • constipation, diarrhea, edema

  • hypermagnesemia, hypophosphatemia, osteomalacia, osteoporosis

 

Dosage:

Administered orally

Symptomatic relief of dyspepsia and conditions associated with hyperacidity, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, GERD, stress gastritis prophylaxis:

  • Regular Suspension           

    • Adults: PO 30-50ml every 3-4 hours, or 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime.  Recommended OTC dose is 10-20ml PO 4 times daily.  Maximum OTC daily dose is 80ml

    • Children:  PO 5-15ml every 3-6 hours, or 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime

    • Infants:  PO 1-2 ml/kg per dose, given after meals and at bedtime

  • Therapeutic concentrate [TC] suspension: 

    • Adults: PO 30-50ml every 3-4 hours, or 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime. The recommended OTC dose is 5-10ml PO 4 times daily, 20 minutes to 1 hours after meals and at bedtime

    • Children: PO 2.5-7.5ml every 3-6 hours, or 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime

    • Infants:  PO 0.5-1 mg/kg per dose given after meals and at bedtime

  • Chewable tablets:  

    • Adults: PO 1-4 tablets dosed every 3-4 hours, or 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime.  Maximum dose 16 tablets daily

  • Extra-strength chewable tablets: 

    • Adults: PO 1-2 tablets dosed every 3-4 hours, or 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime.  Maximum dose 8 tablets daily

 NOTE: Dose is variable; however, an acid neutralizing capacity of 80-140 mEq per dose is often required

Source: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300

Gynecology and Obstetrics CD-ROM
Volumes 1-6
2004 Edition
 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Copyright 2004
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