Tablet
Sinacid 250 mg + 400 mg Tablet
Generic: Aluminium Hydroxide + Magnesium Hydroxide
Manufacturer: G.M. Laboratory
Therapeutic class: Antacid
What is Sinacid used for?
Sinacid (Tablet) contains Aluminium Hydroxide + Magnesium Hydroxide 250 mg + 400 mg and is made by G.M. Laboratory. Therapeutic class: Antacid.
What is Sinacid?
Sinacid is an antacid tablet containing aluminium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide. It is used to help relieve symptoms caused by excess stomach acid, such as heartburn, acid indigestion, and a sour or upset stomach.
Sinacid 250 mg + 400 mg tablet by G.M. Laboratory is a classic combination antacid containing Aluminium Hydroxide + Magnesium Hydroxide. It gives quick, short-term relief from heartburn, acid indigestion, gas and sour stomach. Chewable forms of Sinacid should be chewed well before swallowing for the fastest effect.
The two ingredients work by directly neutralising acid already present in the stomach — they do not stop new acid production. Aluminium hydroxide neutralises acid slowly and tends to cause constipation, while magnesium hydroxide acts faster and tends to loosen stools. Combining them balances these opposite bowel effects while providing prompt relief, usually within minutes.
Indications
Aluminium Hydroxide + Magnesium Hydroxide is used for short-term relief of:
- Heartburn — burning sensation behind the breastbone after meals
- Acid indigestion and sour stomach — including discomfort after spicy or oily food
- Hyperacidity associated with gastritis, peptic ulcer and reflux
- Gas and bloating — formulations with simethicone help further
It suits occasional, mild symptoms. If you need an antacid almost daily for more than two weeks, see a doctor — recurring symptoms may need acid-suppressing treatment or investigation rather than repeated self-medication.
Dosage & Administration
ChamberBD shows dosing only from the approved product label, with its source named, and no label is on file for Sinacid 250 mg + 400 mg Tablet. Use the dose your doctor prescribed and the instructions in the pack leaflet.
Side Effects
At usual doses Aluminium Hydroxide + Magnesium Hydroxide causes few problems. Possible effects:
- Common: chalky taste, mild constipation or loose stools, belching
- With high or prolonged use: significant constipation (aluminium) or diarrhoea (magnesium), low blood phosphate, weakness
- In kidney disease: magnesium and aluminium can accumulate, causing drowsiness, muscle weakness or more serious toxicity
Stop the antacid and consult a doctor if you notice persistent diarrhoea or constipation, unusual tiredness, irregular heartbeat, or no symptom relief despite proper use.
Precautions & Warnings
Precautions with Aluminium Hydroxide + Magnesium Hydroxide:
- Kidney disease: avoid regular use unless a doctor approves — risk of magnesium/aluminium accumulation
- Medicine spacing: take other medicines at least 2 hours before or after the antacid
- Antacids relieve symptoms but do not heal ulcers or reflux disease; persistent symptoms need proper diagnosis
- Low-phosphate diets plus long-term aluminium antacids can cause phosphate depletion and bone problems
- Diabetic patients should check sugar content of flavoured suspensions; some products also contain significant sodium
Drug Interactions
Aluminium Hydroxide + Magnesium Hydroxide reduces the absorption of many medicines by binding them or changing stomach acidity. Important examples:
- Antibiotics: tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones (e.g. ciprofloxacin) — separate by at least 2 hours
- Iron salts, thyroid hormone (levothyroxine): markedly reduced absorption
- Digoxin, gabapentin, bisphosphonates, ketoconazole, isoniazid: absorption may fall
- Enteric-coated medicines: coatings may dissolve early, causing stomach upset
The simple rule: keep a 2-hour gap between Sinacid and any other medicine, and remind your pharmacist about it.
Contraindications
Avoid Aluminium Hydroxide + Magnesium Hydroxide in these situations:
- Known allergy to aluminium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide or any ingredient of the tablet
- Severe kidney failure — high risk of magnesium and aluminium toxicity
- Hypophosphataemia (very low blood phosphate)
- Undiagnosed severe abdominal pain or suspected bowel obstruction — antacids can mask or worsen the picture
Children should not be given it routinely without a doctor's advice. If symptoms persist beyond two weeks despite the antacid, stop self-treating and seek medical evaluation.
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy: Aluminium-magnesium antacids are generally considered acceptable for occasional heartburn in pregnancy when used at recommended doses after lifestyle measures, and are among the antacids doctors commonly suggest. Avoid prolonged high doses, and confirm with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Lactation: These antacids are minimally absorbed into the bloodstream, so meaningful amounts do not reach breast milk. Occasional use at standard doses is generally regarded as compatible with breastfeeding. As always, a nursing mother with ongoing symptoms should consult a doctor rather than rely on antacids long term.
Storage Conditions
Store as printed on the pack and keep out of the reach of children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I chew Sinacid tablets or swallow them whole?
Chewable Sinacid tablets should be chewed thoroughly before swallowing, ideally followed by a little water. Chewing breaks the tablet into fine particles that spread over the stomach contents and neutralise acid within minutes; a swallowed whole tablet works slower and less completely. Take it 1-3 hours after meals and at bedtime, when reflux and acid symptoms are most likely.
Can I use Sinacid every day for months?
No — Sinacid is meant for short-term, occasional relief. Needing an antacid most days for more than about two weeks suggests an underlying problem such as reflux disease, gastritis or an ulcer that needs proper diagnosis and acid-suppressing treatment. Long-term heavy use also risks constipation or diarrhoea, phosphate depletion, and aluminium or magnesium build-up, especially with kidney problems. See a registered doctor instead of continuing daily antacids.