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Home: Health A to Z: Calcium carbonate with magnesium overdose

Health A to Z


Calcium carbonate with magnesium overdose

Definition
Home Treatment
Alternative Names
Before Calling Emergency
Poisonous Ingredient
Poison Control, or a local emergency number
Where Found
What to expect at the emergency room
Symptoms
Expectations (prognosis)


 Definition  

The combination of calcium carbonate and magnesium is commonly found in antacids, which are medicines that provide heartburn relief.

Calcium carbonate with magnesium overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended of a substance containing these ingredients.

See also: Calcium carbonate overdose

 Alternative Names  

Rolaids overdose; Antacids overdose

 Poisonous Ingredient  

Calcium carbonate and magnesium.

 Where Found  

Calcium carbonate with magnesium is found in many (but not all) antacids, including the following brands:

  • Maalox
  • Mylanta
  • Rolaids
  • Tums
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

 Symptoms  

  • Bone pain (from chronic over-use)
  • Constipation
  • Decreased reflexes
  • Diarrhea
  • Dry mouth
  • Irregular heart beat
  • Poor balance
  • Shallow, rapid breathing
  • Stupor(lack of alertness)

 Home Treatment  

Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

 Before Calling Emergency  

Determine the following information:

  • Patient's age, weight, and condition
  • Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
  • Time it was swallowed
  • Amount swallowed

 Poison Control, or a local emergency number  

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

 What to expect at the emergency room  

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The patient may receive:

  • Activated charcoal
  • Breathing support
  • Fluids by IV
  • Laxative
  • Tube thru the mouth into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)

 Expectations (prognosis)  

With proper medical treatment, recovery is good.

Review date: 10/29/2007

Reviewed By: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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