Maalox vs Mylanta – Ingredients & Differences

Maalox vs Mylanta: which is better?

Introduction

Heartburn is associated with a burning pain in the throat or chest.

It usually happens when your stomach acid flows back into your esophagus.

Heartburn is one of the most frequent symptoms of Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease.

Symptoms

Symptoms of heartburn include:

bitter taste in the mouth;
pain which worsens when bending over or lying down;
rising pain, possibly reaching the jaw;
a burning pain in the middle of the chest which typically occurs after eating.

Note – there are some similarities between heart attack symptoms and heartburn.

Therefore, if you have any warning signs of a heart attack or any chest pain which lasts for more than several minutes, seek immediate medical attention.

Causes

A few factors may lead to heartburn or make it feel worse, such as:

use of certain medicines, particularly anti-inflammatory drugs;
eating large food portions;
having GERD;
being obese or overweight;
having a condition called hiatal hernia (when the upper part of the stomach bulges through an opening in the diaphragm);
eating shortly before bedtime;
pregnancy;
regularly drinking alcohol, carbonated beverages, and caffeinated beverages;
emotional stress;
wearing belts and tight clothes;
smoking tobacco and second-hand smoking;
eating certain foods, like – chocolate, peppermint, onions, high-fat foods, garlic, cayenne pepper, citrus fruits, and tomato-based products.

This article reveals the differences between Maalox and Mylanta:

Maalox

It is a medication that is used to treat heartburn.

This drug is produced in Switzerland by the company Novartis.

Ingredients

Active ingredients:

aluminum hydroxide (antacid);
magnesium hydroxide (antacid).

The 2 substances are commonly combined in antacid mixtures.

Magnesium hydroxide may cause diarrhea, however, this effect is balanced by the effect of aluminum hydroxide which is an astringent and may cause constipation.

Inactive ingredients:

sorbitol;
saccharin sodium;
purified water;
propylparaben (in the paraben family of preservatives);
cellulose;
microcrystalline;
hypromellose (a semisynthetic, inert, viscoelastic polymer);
flavor;
carboxymethylcellulose sodium;
butylparaben.

Mylanta

This medication acts by neutralizing the excess acid produced in the stomach.

Ingredients

Active ingredients:

aluminum hydroxide (an inorganic compound that has aluminum);
magnesium hydroxide;
simethicone.

Inactive ingredients:

xanthan gum (a polysaccharide used as a food additive);
sucralose;
sorbitol;
sodium carbonate;
purified water;
microcrystalline cellulose;
glycerin (a trihydroxy alcohol with laxative properties);
flavors;
carboxymethylcellulose sodium;
benzyl alcohol.

Uses

Maalox is used for the relief of:

heartburn;
upset stomach;
sour stomach;
acid indigestion.

Mylanta is used:

to treat heartburn and upset stomach;
to ease too much gas in the stomach.

Mechanism of Action

Maalox

increases gastric pH;
neutralizes gastric acid.

Mylanta

simethicone – it prevents gas pockets in the gastrointestinal system by decreasing the surface tension of gas bubbles;
magnesium hydroxide – it promotes bowel evacuation by causing osmotic retention of fluid;
aluminum hydroxide – it neutralizes stomach hydrochloride to form AlCl3 salt plus water.

Side Effects

Possible side effects of Maalox include:

muscle weakness;
diarrhea;
loss of appetite;
unusual tiredness;
constipation.

Possible side effects of Mylanta include:

Benoit Daoust/Shutterstock

high levels of eosinophils (a variety of white blood cells);
low white blood cell count;
diarrhea;
a low platelet count;
vomiting;
erythema multiforme (a localized eruption of the skin);
nausea;
an immediate or delayed hypersensitivity reaction;
hives;
a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis;
hairy tongue;
skin rash;
swollen or infected tongue;
oral yeast infection.

Dosage

Maalox

The usual recommended dosage is 2 tablets 4 times per day.

It is suggested to take the medication after meals and at bedtime.

Mylanta

The usual recommended dosage for adults and children 12 years and over is 10 to 20 mL between meals and at bedtime.

The maximum recommended dose is 60 mL in a 24-hour period.

Warnings & Precautions

Maalox

It should not be used in:

people with porphyria, a rare hereditary blood disorder;
people on a low-phosphorus diet;
people who are debilitated or very weak;
people with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance;
people with low levels of phosphate in their blood;
people with decreased kidney function.

Important note – if taken in large doses, this medication can lead to degradation of the bones since it disrupts the metabolism of phosphorus.

Mylanta

It should not be used if you:

are dehydrated or are restricting fluids;
are bleeding from the stomach;
have kidney failure;
have kidney stones;
have poorly functioning kidneys;
have a hole in your intestines;
have a blockage in your intestines or stomach;
have had a colostomy or ileostomy (a surgical opening in your abdominal wall);
are allergic to any of the ingredients in this product.

Drug Interactions

Maalox may interact in a negative way with the following medications:

hydroxychloroquine;
chloroquine (a medication used to prevent and to treat malaria);
mycophenolate;
chlorpromazine (an antipsychotic medication);
levothyroxine;
deferasirox;
ketoconazole;
deferiprone (a drug that is used to treat transfusion-related, chronic iron overload);
itraconazole;
dipyridamole (a medication that inhibits blood clot formation);
ferrous gluconate;
dolutegravir;
ferrous fumarate;
eltrombopag (a medication that is used to treat low platelet levels due to chronic hepatitis C virus infection or chronic immune thrombocytopenia);
ferrous sulfate;
elvitegravir (an integrase inhibitor that is used to treat HIV infection);
gabapentin;
fexofenadine (an antihistamine medication that is used in the treatment of allergy symptoms);
erlotinib (a drug used to treat non-small cell lung cancer);
enteric-coated tablets.

Mylanta may interact in a negative way with the following medications:

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexelate);
Digoxin (Lanoxin);
paricalcitol (Zemplar);
Calcitriol (Bioactive vitamin D);
Doxercalficerol (Hectoral);
minocycline (a broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic);
doxycycline (Vibramycin);
Mesalamine (Apriso, Rowasa);
Orencia (a drug that is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis);
Ursodiol (Actigall);
Levaquin (levofloxacin);
Quinine;
K-Phos (used in people who cannot get sufficient phosphorus from their nutrition);
Cipro (ciprofloxacin);
any medication that is used prior to a colonoscopy;
Pancrelipase (used to improve digestion of food in babies who do not have sufficient pancreatic enzymes);
lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse);
methamphetamine (Desoxyn);
amphetamine (a potent central nervous system stimulant).

Alcohol

You should avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking these medications.

Is It Safe During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding?

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, both medications should be used only when clearly needed.

Discuss the benefits and risks with your healthcare provider.

Bottom Line – Maalox vs Mylanta

Maalox is a mixture of two antacids – magnesium hydroxide (a fast-acting antacid) and aluminum hydroxide (a slow-acting antacid) which is used to treat upset stomach and heartburn.

Mylanta is an antacid medication that is used to promote healing of duodenal ulcers and to relieve the symptoms of excess stomach acid. It contains aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and simethicone.

The main difference between Mylanta and Maalox is that Mylanta contains simethicone (an anti-foaming agent that facilitates the removal of gas from the digestive tract) while Maalox does not.

In addition, these medications have different inactive ingredients and price (Mylanta is slightly cheaper).

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Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10594395
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24867512
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10099040
https://www.karger.com/Article/PDF/286002