g. Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Trisilicate Tablets (Gaviscon).
This tablet product is used as a gastric antacid and as a protectant for the lower
esophagus. Gaviscon produces a foam when ingested. This foam floats on the
stomach contents. Thus, the foam protects the delicate mucosa of the esophagus from
irritation when stomach contents are forced into the esophagus. Gaviscon produces a
local effect--the entire stomach contents are not neutralized. The usual dose is two to
four tablets four times daily, after meals and at bedtime. Side effects of this product,
depending on the dose, are either diarrhea or constipation. When you dispense these
tablets to the patient, you should tell him to chew them thoroughly before swallowing.
Each tablet has 80 milligrams of aluminum hydroxide and 20 milligrams of magnesium
trisilicate.
h. Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Carbonate Liquid (Gaviscon
liquid antacid). Like the product in paragraph g above, this liquid antacid preparation
is used as a gastric antacid and as a protectant for the lower esophagus. The usual
dose of this product is one to two tablespoonsful four times daily. The product contains
95 milligrams of aluminum hydroxide and 412 milligrams of magnesium carbonate in
each 15 milliliters (one tablespoonful). When you dispense this product to a patient, tell
him that the container should be shaken well before the dose is taken.
i. Simethicone (Mylicon). Simethicone is used as an antiflatulent. An
antiflatulent is a product which relieves the painful symptoms of excess gas in the
gastrointestinal system by breaking apart mucous surrounded gas pockets or
preventing their formation. The usual dose of this product is 40 to 80 milligrams four
times daily after meals and at bedtime. When you dispense this product in tablet form,
you should tell the patient to chew the tablet(s) thoroughly before swallowing. Mylicon
is supplied in two forms--tablets (40 or 80 milligrams per tablet) and drops (40
milligrams per 0.6 milliliters).
j. Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone
(Mylanta, Gelusil). This product is used as a gastric antacid, antiflatulant, and as an
agent useful in ulcer therapy. The side effects associated with this preparation
(depending on the dose) are diarrhea and constipation. This product is available in both
suspension and tablet form. The formulation of the product by form basis is below:
Aluminum
Simethicone
Magnesium Hydroxide
Hydroxide
Tablets
200 milligrams
200 milligrams
25 milligrams
(Gelusil)
Suspension 200 milligrams
200 milligrams
20 milligrams
(Mylanta)
(per 5
milliliters)
CAUTION:
When you dispense the tablets, you should tell the patient to chew them
thoroughly before swallowing. When you dispense the suspension, you
should tell the patient to shake the container well before taking the dose.
MD0807
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