Aluminium Hydroxide
Indications
Registered South African indications:
- Heartburn
- Hyperacidity
- Dyspepsia
- Gastritis
- Oesophageal reflux
- Reflux oesophagitis
- Peptic ulceration
Cautions
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any of its excipients
- In patients with symptoms of appendicitis since these medicines may increase the danger of perforation or rupture due to their constipating effects
- In patients with hypophosphataemia due to the phosphate binding properties of aluminium salts
- Presently taking a prescription antibiotic medicine containing any form of tetracycline
Cautions
- Renal impairment
- Elderly
- Prolonged use
- Cardiac failure
- Oedema
- Cirrhosis
- Low sodium diets
- Recently suffered gastrointestinal haemorrhage
- Uremic patients not receiving dialysis
- Bone resorption disorders (hypercalciuria, osteomalacia)
- Fructose intolerance
- Patients at risk of phosphate depletion
Adult dosage
Forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: sus
Indigestion
Heartburn
Hyperacidity
Dyspepsia
Gastritis
Oesophageal reflux with heartburn
Reflux oesophagitis
Peptic ulceration
- Oral (sus): 600mg (5-10ml), 5-6 times daily, between meals and at bedtime
Paediatric dosage
Not established for use in children
Special populations
Pregnancy
- Safe
- Aluminium hydroxide may be used during pregnancy at normal recommended doses
Breastfeeding
- Compatible
- Aluminium is present in breast milk. Aluminium hydroxide may be used by breastfeeding mothers at normal recommended doses. The breastfed infant should be observed for occurrence of any adverse effects
Renal Impairment
Hepatic Impairment
Elderly
Porphyria Information
Drugs in Sport
- Permitted - No warnings
Adverse reactions
Central Nervous System Disorders
- Encephalopathy
- Dementia
Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Obstruction
- Decreased bowel motility
Genitourinary Disorders
- Dehydration
- Chronic renal failure
Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
- Phosphate depletion
Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Osteomalacia
Interactions
- Allopurinol
- Ascorbic acid
- Atazanavir
- Bisacodyl
- Bismuth subcitrate
- Bisphosphonate derivatives
- Bosutinib
- Calcium polystyrene sulfonate
- Cefditoren
- Cefuroxime
- Chenodiol
- Chloroquine
- Cholic acid
- Corticosteroids
- Dabigatran etexilate
- Dasatinib
- Deferasirox
- Deferiprone
- Delavirdine
- Dolutegravir
- Eltrombopag
- Elvitegravir
- Erlotinib
- Ethambutol
- Fexofenadine
- Fosinopril
- Gabapentin
- Gefitinib
- Hyoscyamine
- Iron salts
- Isoniazid
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Lanthanum
- Ledipasvir
- Levothyroxine
- Mequitazine
- Mesalamine
- Methenamine
- Multivitamins
- Fluoride
- Minerals
- Mycophenolate
- Neratinib
- Nilotinib
- Pazopanib
- Penicillamine
- Phosphate supplements
- Potassium phosphate
- Quinine
- Quinolone antibiotics
- Raltegravir
- Rilpivirine
- Riociguat
- Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
- Sotalol
- Strontium ranelate
- Sulpiride
- Tetracycline derivatives
- Trientine
- Ursodiol
- Velpatasvir
- Vitamin D analogs
Monitoring
None routine. Specific cases may require
- Calcium levels
- Phosphorous levels
Mechanism of action
Aluminium hydroxide reacts chemically to neutralize or buffer existing quantities of stomach acids but has no direct effects on its production. The action increases gastric pH, providing symptomatic relief of hyperacidity.
Dosage forms
- Suspension
Formulation
Suspension (per 5ml) 300mg
- Amphojel (Akromed)
References
1. SAMF_12th Edition_Page 37 2. PI: Amphogel suspension, Akromed: Date of Registration; Jan 2005 https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B0xnChtF7vduVXZyR1puM21iQWs 3. U2D: Aluminium hydroxide: Drug information; Uptodate: Downloaded online 22 October 2018 https://www.uptodate.com/contents/aluminum-hydroxide-drug-information?source=search_result&search=aluminum%20hydroxide&selectedTitle=1~61 4. NAPOS The Drug Database for Acute Porphyria: Aluminium hydroxide; Accessed online 22 October 2018 http://www.drugs-porphyria.org/languages/UnitedKingdom/s1.php?l=gbr 5. South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport; Aluminium hydroxide; Accessed online 22 October 2018 http://www.drugfreesport.org.za/online-medication-check/ 6. SmPC: Maalox 175mg/200mg Oral Suspension (SANOFI); Last updated on 22 Oct 2019; Downloaded: 04 mar 2020 - [https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/2716/smpc] 7. Clinical Pharmacologist - Dr. M Irhuma [https://trello.com/c/rMS5bjHg/321-list-of-hot-monographs] 8. http://porphyriadrugs.com/ (NAPOS) (accessed on 21/1/2020 *No SPC available
Brands & products
12 products · stale NAPPI snapshot · refreshed 5/28/2026 · 159 days oldsuspensionGeneric· 9 products
from R0.25/unit| Product | Strength | Pack | Sched | SEP | Unit | Disp fee | NAPPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dicyclomine co gel | 400 mg/10ml | 200 | S2 | R50.26 | R0.25 | R29.27 | 702725002 |
| Alumag D | 400 mg/10ml | 350 | S2 | R87.37 | R0.25 | R42.11 | 703640002 |
| Betaclomin Gel | 200 mg/10ml | 350 | S2 | R94.06 | R0.27 | R44.43 | 707899028 |
| Alumag d | 400 mg/10ml | 200 | S2 | R57.75 | R0.29 | R31.86 | 703640001 |
| Betaclomin Gel | 200 mg/10ml | 200 | S2 | R61.49 | R0.31 | R33.16 | 707899001 |
| Dicyclomine co gel | 400 mg/10ml | 100 | S2 | R34.19 | R0.34 | R23.71 | 702725001 |
| Gelumen | 400 mg/10ml | 200 | S2 | R68.13 | R0.34 | R35.46 | 789933101 |
| Betaclomin Gel | 400 mg/10ml | 100 | S2 | R39.84 | R0.40 | R25.67 | 707899044 |
| Microgel | 50 mg | 350 | S2 | R170.67 | R0.49 | R70.93 | 743054008 |
syrupGeneric· 1 product
from R0.28/unit| Product | Strength | Pack | Sched | SEP | Unit | Disp fee | NAPPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meddev | 5 mg | 200 | S2 | R56.35 | R0.28 | R31.38 | 3006688001 |
powderGeneric· 2 products
from R0.44/unit| Product | Strength | Pack | Sched | SEP | Unit | Disp fee | NAPPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bisma-Rex Powder | 19 mg | 450 | S2 | R197.36 | R0.44 | R80.17 | 709776002 |
| Bisma-Rex Powder | 19 mg | 150 | S2 | R77.88 | R0.52 | R38.83 | 709776001 |
- Amphojel
Medical aid coverage
data not yet integrated- Comprehensive Series—
- Executive Plan—
- KeyCare Series—
- Priority Series—
- Saver Series—
Formulary scraper pending — coverage tier, co-pay and authorisation requirements will appear here once data is ingested.
- BonClassic—
- BonComprehensive—
- BonEssential—
- BonFit Select—
- BonSave—
- BonStart—
Formulary scraper pending — coverage tier, co-pay and authorisation requirements will appear here once data is ingested.
- Beryl—
- Emerald—
- Onyx—
- Ruby—
- Sapphire—
- Tanzanite One—
Formulary scraper pending — coverage tier, co-pay and authorisation requirements will appear here once data is ingested.
- Aquarium Option—
- Efficiency Option—
- Marine Option—
Formulary scraper pending — coverage tier, co-pay and authorisation requirements will appear here once data is ingested.
Interacts with 28 known drugs
Check against other drugs →- Alfacalcidol
- Allopurinol
- Atazanavir
- Bisacodyl
- Cefuroxime
- Dabigatran Etexilate
- Dasatinib
- Deferasirox
- Dolutegravir
- Ergocalciferol
- Erlotinib
- Fexofenadine
- Gabapentin
- Isoniazid
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Neratinib
- Nilotinib
- Pazopanib
- Potassium Phosphate
- Quinine
- Raltegravir
- Rilpivirine
- Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate
- Sotalol
- Strontium Ranelate
- Sulpiride
- Ursodeoxycholic Acid