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Hydrotalcite

  • Take all other medicines at least one hour before or two hours after a dose of hydrotalcite.
  • To relieve your symptoms and help stop indigestion from coming back, lifestyle changes are important, such as stopping smoking, avoiding foods that make your condition worse, don't eat late at night or before bedtime and reduce stress wherever possible.

About hydrotalcite

Type of medicine Antacid
Used for Neutralizing excess stomach acid in indigestion
Also called Aluminium magnesium carbonate hydroxide hydrate
Available as Oral suspension

Indigestion or acid reflux disease happens when stomach acid gets up into the tube leading from your mouth to your stomach (oesophagus). This causes pain in the chest and sometimes a strange taste in the mouth.

Before taking hydrotalcite

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
  • See Important information about all medicines at the bottom for general information.

How to take hydrotalcite

  • To prevent indigestion, hydrotalcite is usually taken between meals and at bedtime when required.
  • Take all other medicines at least one hour before or two hours after a dose of hydrotalcite; because it can reduce the amount of other medicines that your body absorbs.
  • Hydrotalcite is not recommended for children under six years of age.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • Smoking can cause or make dyspepsia worse, you should try to stop smoking.
  • If certain foods make your condition worse avoid eating them.
  • Stress can cause or make indigestion worse, you should exercise regularly and reduce you stress level wherever possible.
  • Don't eat late at night or before bedtime. Raising the head of your bed an inch or two with blocks under two legs may help.
  • Some over the counter pain-killers can cause or make indigestion worse especially ibuprofen; paracetamol is best if a pain killer is needed because it is gentle on the stomach.

Can hydrotalcite cause problems

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects What can I do if I experience this
Constipation You may have taken too much of the medicine. Reduce the dose or stop for a few days.
Diarrhoea You may have taken too much of the medicine. Reduce the dose or stop for a few days.

How to store hydrotalcite

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines


  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of you local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
© EMIS 2006 DocID:
612		 DocRef:
dils3814		 Last Updated:
24 Oct 2006		 Date of Next Review:
23 Oct 2008		 Version:
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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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