Alka-Seltzer

Alka-Seltzer Original is an over the counter medication used to relieve acid indigestion, heartburn and pain in adults and children over 12 years of age.

It is a single product containing 3 medications: sodium bicarbonate, anhydrous citric acid, and aspirin. Sodium Bicarbonate and anhydrous citric acid belong to a group of drugs called antacids. These work by neutralizing acid found in the stomach. Aspirin belongs to a group of drugs called analgesics. These work by stopping the production of certain natural substances that cause pain.

This medication comes in tablets and are dissolved in 4 ounces of water every 4 hours as needed.

Common side effects of Alka-Seltzer Original include belching and nausea.

• Bayer HealthCare LLC, Consumer Care

Make certain your health care professional knows if you are on any special diet, such as a low-sodium or low-sugar diet. This medicine contains a large amount of sodium (more than 500 mg in each tablet).

Unless otherwise directed by your doctor, do not take more of this medicine than is recommended on the package label. If too much is taken, serious side effects may occur.

Do not take this medicine if it has a strong vinegar-like odor. This odor means the aspirin in it is breaking down. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.

To use this medicine:

• The tablets must be dissolved in water before taking. Do not swallow the tablets or any pieces of the tablets.
• Place the number of tablets needed for one dose (1 or 2 tablets) into a glass. Then add ½ glass (4 ounces) of cool water.
• Check to be sure that the tablets have disappeared completely. This shows that all of the medicine is in the liquid. Then drink all of the liquid. You may drink the liquid while it is still fizzing or after the fizzing stops.
• Add a little more water to the glass and drink that, to make sure that you get the full amount of the medicine.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage forms (effervescent tablets):
  • For pain and upset stomach:
    • Adults and teenagers—One or two regular-strength (325-milligram [mg]) tablets every four to six hours as needed, one extra-strength (500-mg) tablet every four to six hours as needed, or two extra-strength (500-mg) tablets every six hours as needed, dissolved in water. Elderly people should not take more than four regular-strength or extra-strength tablets a day. Other adults and teenagers should not take more than 6 regular-strength flavored tablets, 8 regular-strength unflavored tablets, or 7 extra-strength tablets a day.
    • Children—The dose depends on the child's age.
      • Children younger than 3 years of age: Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
      • Children 3 to 5 years of age: One-half of a regular-strength (325-mg) tablet, dissolved in water, every four to six hours as needed.
      • Children 6 to 12 years of age: One regular-strength (325-mg) tablet, dissolved in water, every four to six hours as needed.
  • For reducing the chance of heart attack, stroke, or other problems that may occur when a blood vessel is blocked by blood clots:
    • Adults—One regular-strength (325-mg) tablet a day, dissolved in water.
    • Children and teenagers—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although the following side effects occur very rarely when 1 or 2 doses of this combination medicine is taken occasionally, they may be more likely to occur if: too much medicine is taken, the medicine is taken several times a day, or the medicine is taken for more than a few days in a row.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Changes in behavior
• drowsiness or tiredness (severe)
• fast or deep breathing

• Any loss of hearing
• bloody urine
• confusion
• convulsions (seizures)
• diarrhea (severe or continuing)
• difficulty in swallowing
• dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling faint (severe)
• drowsiness (severe)
• excitement or nervousness (severe)
• fast or deep breathing
• flushing, redness, or other change in skin color
• hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
• nausea or vomiting (severe or continuing)
• shortness of breath, troubled breathing, tightness in chest, or wheezing
• stomach pain (severe or continuing)
• swelling of eyelids, face, or lips
• unexplained fever
• uncontrollable flapping movements of the hands (especially in elderly patients)
• vision problems

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Bloody or black, tarry stools
• frequent urge to urinate
• headache (severe or continuing)
• increased blood pressure
• loss of appetite (continuing)
• mood or mental changes
• muscle pain or twitching
• ringing or buzzing in ears (continuing)
• skin rash, hives, or itching
• slow breathing
• swelling of face, fingers, ankles, feet, or lower legs
• unpleasant taste
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
• weight gain (unusual)

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Heartburn or indigestion
• increased thirst
• nausea or vomiting
• stomach pain (mild)

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

For all patients taking Alka-Seltzer (aspirin, citric acid, and sodium bicarbonate):

• If you have an allergy to this medicine or any part of Alka-Seltzer.
• If you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• If you have any of these health problems: Asthma, bleeding problems, nose polyps, or rhinitis.
• If you are more than 24 weeks pregnant.
• If you are taking another drug that has the same drug in it.
• If you are taking any other NSAID.

Children:

• If your child has or is getting better from flu signs, chickenpox, or other viral infections.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Alka-Seltzer with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this medicine. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Do not give to children and teenagers who have or are getting better from flu signs, chickenpox, or other viral infections due to the chance of Reye's syndrome. Reye's syndrome causes very bad problems to the brain and liver.
• Do not take more than what your doctor told you to take. Taking more than you are told may raise your chance of very bad side effects.
• Do not take Alka-Seltzer for longer than you were told by your doctor.
• You may bleed more easily. Be careful and avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.
• If you smoke, talk with your doctor.
• If you are on a low-sodium or sodium-free diet, talk with your doctor. Some of these products have sodium.
• If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), talk with your doctor. Some products have phenylalanine.
• This medicine may raise the chance of very bad and sometimes deadly stomach or bowel side effects like ulcers or bleeding. The risk is greater in older people. The risk is also greater in people who have had stomach or bowel ulcers or bleeding before. These problems may occur without warning signs. Talk with the doctor.
• If you are over the age of 60, use this medicine with care. You could have more side effects.
• This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or you get pregnant while taking Alka-Seltzer, call your doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.