When your chest burns after eating, or you feel that sour taste rising up, antacids, over-the-counter medications that neutralize stomach acid to quickly relieve heartburn and indigestion. Also known as acid neutralizers, they’re often the first thing people reach for—Tums, Rolaids, Maalox—but they’re just one tool in a bigger toolbox for managing stomach acid. Antacids work fast, usually in minutes, by counteracting excess acid with bases like calcium carbonate or magnesium hydroxide. But they don’t stop your body from making more acid. That’s where other treatments like proton pump inhibitors, medications that reduce acid production at the source by blocking the stomach’s acid pumps. Also known as PPIs, they’re used for longer-term control of GERD and ulcers and H2 blockers, drugs that cut acid production by blocking histamine receptors in the stomach lining. Also known as H2 antagonists, they include famotidine and ranitidine come in. PPIs take hours to kick in but last all day. H2 blockers are in between—faster than PPIs, longer-lasting than antacids.
Many people use antacids daily without realizing they’re masking a deeper issue. Frequent heartburn isn’t just "bad pizza"—it could be GERD, a hiatal hernia, or even a sign of something more serious. And while antacids are safe for occasional use, long-term use can cause problems. Calcium-based ones may lead to kidney stones or constipation. Magnesium-based ones can cause diarrhea. Aluminum-based ones can mess with phosphate levels. Plus, if you’re taking other meds—like antibiotics, thyroid pills, or iron supplements—antacids can block their absorption. That’s why timing matters: wait at least two hours after taking other drugs before using an antacid.
What’s missing from most people’s understanding is that antacids don’t treat the cause. They just quiet the symptoms. If you’re relying on them more than twice a week, it’s time to look at lifestyle changes—cutting back on coffee, spicy food, late-night meals, or losing weight. Sometimes, switching to a PPI or H2 blocker makes more sense. Other times, it’s not acid at all—it’s functional dyspepsia, bile reflux, or even a heart issue. The posts below cover real cases: how antacids interact with clopidogrel, why some people mistake acid reflux for heart problems, how PPIs can cause kidney damage, and when skipping antacids entirely is the best move. You’ll find practical advice on choosing what works, avoiding hidden risks, and knowing when to stop guessing and start testing.
Antacids like Tums and Milk of Magnesia can be dangerous for people with kidney disease. Learn how calcium, magnesium, and aluminum in these drugs affect phosphate levels, cause toxicity, and interact with prescription binders - and what to do instead.
