Constipation from Antacids

[JazzysMom]

I recently started taking prescription antacids to save $$ thru my prescription plan. It is a generic version of zantac. Since taking it I have had a lot of problems with constipation & just general irregularity. It helps tremendously with the acid & I think it has contributed highly to my slight weight gain, but at this price I dont know if its worth it. It might be pure coincidence that my belly problem started after taking this, but I was wondering if anyone has noticed such a connection to antacids?!



I just realized that I posted in the wrong section. Please forgive me, my brain isnt working yet. I dont feel like retyping it & dont know how to move it if I can.

 

[Mockingbird]

Antacids can help enzymes be more effective. Enzymes are in a time-release capsule so they won't come out until they get to the intestine. That's how they're supposed to work, anyway. If stomach acid is high, it can eat thru the capsule before the intestine and um... something happens.... magic stomach elves steal the enzymes, or something. Anyway, if there is any connection, i'd say the antacid is making your enzymes a lot more effective, so you don't need to take as much. =-)

 

[kybert]

i hear ya jazzysmom. i have been on pariet for years now and that hasnt affected me badly in any way. recently my doc put me on another acid med, tazac, on top of that to see if it would stop me from puking all the time. it worked, but i started to get constipated. i thought i was just going through a nopoo phase but it has gotten worse and i get horribly bloated after eating meals too. im assuming its the new medication, but its odd because i read that tazac is sometimes used to help constipation [speeds up bowel emptying. i take it to speed up stomach emptying.] so who knows?

 

[kybert]

ok ive been searching the net and i found that taking more than you need of acid meds can cause constipation [stomach acid becomes TOO low]. perhaps you need a lower dose than what youre taking, or switch to a different class of acid med? i might try cutting 1 of my meds out and see what happens. i really dont want to have another jug of golytely <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">