7 Surprising Things That Can Happen If You Take Antacids Too Often

Constipation

“Constipation is one of the most common symptoms of excessive use of antacid," says Glatter. "It is usually seen with calcium, as well as aluminum antacids." And, the backup may not clear so easily.

“Constipation is not just a fleeting symptom, but tends to continue as long as antacids are being used," he says. "If this happens, it’s a good idea to switch to a different type of medication altogether, such as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) or H2 Blocker."

What’s more, you might get hit on the opposite end of the spectrum: “Antacids can also cause diarrhea—chiefly, the magnesium-containing antacids," he says. "The diarrhoea is usually short-lived but can recur with continued use of the antacid.” Either way, those hours spent on the toilet won’t feel too good.

Muscle issues

“Muscle twitching, generalised weakness, and even muscle tenderness and pain are the most common complaints," says Glatter. "This is due to effects on the levels of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus in the bloodstream."

In simple terms, any changes in levels of various electrolyte levels may adversely impact muscle and nerve function, he explains, so taking antacids in high doses or too casually can alter the balance in your body and lead to some weird musculature symptoms. “The severity of the symptoms is influenced by the amount of antacids and duration of use,” says Glatter, so if you start to notice anything strange, book it to the doctor.

Respiratory issues

Slower breathing could also be a sign you're going overboard on antacids. This effect happens if you consume too many that contain sodium bicarbonate or calcium carbonate, which can elevate the pH in your bloodstream, says Glatter.

“As the pH in the bloodstream rises, the body compensates for the more alkaline environment, thus reducing the respiratory or breathing rate,” he explains. “When breathing slows excessively, it could lead to a buildup of carbon dioxide, leading to fatigue or sleepiness." If this change in breathing persists, it could interfere with your daily life and productivity, too.

Risk of infections

“While gastric acid helps to digest food, it also protects the body by destroying bacteria that are contained within food and beverages,” Glatter says. So, when there’s too much antacid present, it can be problematic.

“Excessive neutralization of stomach acid allows bacteria to survive in the GI tract. In essence, this weakens one of the body’s main defense mechanisms,” he explains. “This could allow bacteria to contribute to gastroenteritis, as well as diarrhoea due to varying types of bacteria." It could also put you at increased risk for upper respiratory illness, he says.

Hypercalcemia

Excessive use of antacids containing calcium carbonate may lead to hypercalcemia, or a condition known as milk-alkali syndrome. “This syndrome was originally recognised in the 1920s during administration of the Sippy regimen—milk and bicarbonate—to treat peptic ulcer disease,” Glatter says. “[It's] a condition where there is a breakdown in the lining of the stomach, or the first part of the small intestine (duodenum).”

Unless it’s treated, the condition is worrisome. “Milk-alkali syndrome can lead to kidney failure and deposition of calcium throughout organs, especially in the kidney,” he says. And that could be dangerous: Accumulation of calcium in the kidneys, GI tract, and the lungs—especially in blood vessels—may impair organ functionality due to poor blood flow and even lead to organ failure, he explains. Luckily, this syndrome is reversible by stopping antacid use.

Kidney stones

Antacids containing calcium may also increase the excretion of calcium in the urine, which in turn can lead to the formation of kidney stones, says Glatter.

What are those? “A kidney stone is a hard and crystalline mineral formed and embedded within the kidney or urinary tract," he explains. "Kidney stones may lead to blood in urine as well as pain in the lower back or flank.” They can be painful, and they may even cause a spasm of the ureter (which connects the kidney to the bladder) that blocks the passage of urine, he says.

People with kidney disease should also avoid taking antacids—especially those containing aluminium—because their impaired renal function can lead to a toxic level of aluminum building up in the bloodstream, Glatter says.

Osteoporosis