Is taking MAALOX all day/everyday safe?even if it causes diarrhea - Acid Reflux / GERD Message Board

jennyVee · 03-18-2006, 08:03 AM

Hi guys i wanted to ask you all a question

I have been doing much better but have been drinking maalox after every meal, and i have been going to the bathroom with diarhea ever since I started maalox, I know it has magnesium and that causes diarhea but I am not sure how safe it is to have constant diarhea, I was on the toilet 2x during the night, the dirahea hits me at anytime of the day, anyway i think i will start gaviscon again since that works the other way around for me it constipates me, but i just want this diarhea to stop, i am not sure if havibg the runs everyday is safe.

ssborrow · 03-18-2006, 07:37 PM

I think you need to see a doctor. I don't think it's safe to be taking medications daily without the advice of one.

BrendaB · 03-19-2006, 08:28 PM

JennyVee,
I also take Maalox or Mylanta after every meal and at bedtime on the advice of my GI doctor. I think it's the magnesium it in that causes diarrhea. My doctor recommended another brand (I can't remember the name) that I have to ask for behind the pharmacy counter. It doesn't cause diarrhea, but it is so nasty tasting that I gag trying to take it! I am back to Mylanta, but am now just taking it after dinner and at bedtime. You should make sure you drink plenty of liquids to keep from dehydrating from the diarrhea. If you ask your dr. about the danger of prolonged diarrhea, post the reply here. I'd be curious of the answer.

jennyVee · 03-19-2006, 08:43 PM

Hi, and thanks a bunch for your response

I was really worried about taking it daily, not sure if it was safe but if your doctor said it was safe at least that is good news, one thing though did he say you could take it daily for life?

anyway i stopped mylanta and maalox and am back on gaviscon but that gets me so constipated,but the diarrhea does worry me, even though some peopel say some PPI's give them diarrhea, i have been overdoing it on maalox though been taking way too much, but even at a low dose i still get diarrhea, maybe not 8 times a day like its been for a few days but at least 3 times which i would say is normal, i am drinking gatorade daily, but i still worry if this daily diarrhea can affect my health

anyway i will ask my gastro doc whether its safe or not, but for now I will have to try taking some thing else, since like i said maalox/mylanta gives me the runs and gaviscon contsipates me,I know that i dfeinately have to take an antacid after meals since my acid is still pretty bad, but not as bad as it was. i am also down to 1 nexium a day and it seems to be enough but of course i need an antacid too, i will just keep trying different ones, if you find out the name of the one that doesnt cause diarrhea let me know thanks

jennyVee · 03-19-2006, 09:31 PM

hi i will try this AlternaGel Antacid Liquid hae anyone else tried it, hopefully it will help will post you all on the results after i take it