MAALOX PLUS Oral suspension Ref.[50847] Active ingredients: Aluminium hydroxide Magnesium hydroxide Simethicone

Aluminium hydroxide may cause constipation and magnesium salts overdose may cause hypomotility of the bowel; large doses of this product may trigger or aggravate intestinal obstruction and ileus in patients at higher risk such as those with renal impairment, or the elderly.

Aluminium hydroxide is not well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and systemic effects are therefore rare in patients with normal renal function. However, excessive doses or long-term use, or even normal doses in patients with low-phosphorous diets, may lead to phosphate depletion (due to aluminium-phosphate binding) accompanied by increased bone resorption and hypercalciuria with the risk of osteomalacia. Medical advice is recommended in case of long-term use or in patients at risk of phosphate depletion.

In patients with renal impairment, plasma levels of both aluminium and magnesium increase. In these patients, a long-term exposure to high doses of aluminium and magnesium salts may lead to encephalopathy, dementia, microcytic anemiaor worsen dialysis-induced osteomalacia.

Aluminium hydroxide may be unsafe in patients with porphyria undergoing hemodialysis. The prolonged use of antacids in patients with renal failure should be avoided.

This product contains sorbitol (E420). Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance should not take this medicine.

Paediatric population

In young children the use of magnesium hydroxide can produce a hypermagnesemia, especially if they present renal impairment or dehydration.

Maalox Plus should not be taken simultaneously with other medicines as they may interfere with their absorption if taken within 1 hour.

Aluminium-containing antacids may prevent the proper absorption of drugs such as tetracyclines, vitamins, ciprofloxacin, ketoconazole, hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, chlorpromazine, rifampicin, cefdinir, cefpodoxime, levothyroxine, rosuvastatin, H2 antagonists, atenolol, cyclines, diflunisal, digoxin, bisphosphonates, ethambutol, fluoroquinolones, sodium fluoride, glucocorticoids, indomethacin, isoniazid, lincosamides, metoprolol, phenothiazine neuroleptics, penicillamine,propranolol and iron salts.

Levothyroxine may also bind to simeticone which may delay or reduce the absorption of levothyroxine.

Polystyrene sulphonate

Caution is advised when used concomitantly with polystyrene sulphonate due to the potential risks of reduced effectiveness of the resin in binding potassium, of metabolic alkalosis in patients with renal failure (reported with aluminium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide), and of intestinal obstruction (reported with aluminium hydroxide).

Quinidine

Concomitant use of aluminium products with quinidines may increase the serum levels of quinidine and lead to quinidine overdosage.

Tetracycline

Because of the aluminium content, Maalox Plus should not be concomitantly administered with tetracycline-containing antibiotics or any tetracycline salts.

Citrates

Aluminium hydroxide and citrates may result in increased aluminium levels, especially in patients with renal impairment.

Urine alkalinisation secondary to administration of magnesium hydroxide may modify excretion of some drugs; thus, increased excretion of salicylates has been seen.

The safety of Maalox Plus (Suspension) in pregnancy has not been established.

Pregnancy

There are no available data on Maalox Plus use in pregnant women. No conclusions can be drawn regarding whether or not Maalox Plus is safe for use during pregnancy. Maalox Plus should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks, including those to the feotus.

Lactation

Because of the limited maternal absorption, when used as recommended, minimal amounts, if any, of aluminium hydroxide and magnesium salt combinations are expected to be excreted into breast milk.

Simeticone is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.

No effect on the breastfed newborn/infant are anticipated since the systemic exposure of the breast-feeding woman to aluminium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide and simeticone is negligible.

None stated.

The following CIOMS frequency rating is used, when applicable: Very common (≥1/10), common (≥1/100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100), rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000), very rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from available data).

Immune system disorders

Frequency not known: hypersensitivity reactions, such as pruritus, urticaria, angioedema and anaphylactic reactions

Gastrointestinal disorders

Gastrointestinal side-effects are uncommon.

Uncommon: diarrhoea or constipation (see Section 4.4)

Frequency not known: Abdominal pain

Injury, poisoning and procedural complications

Frequency not known: Hyperaluminemia (related to Aluminium component).

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Very rare: Hypermagnesemia, including observations after prolonged administration of magnesium hydroxide to patients with renal impairment

Frequency not known: Hyperaluminemia

Hypophosphatemia, in prolonged use or at high doses or even normal doses of the product in patients with low-phosphorus diets which may result in increased bone resorption hypercalciuria, osteomalacia (see section 4.4).

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

Not applicable.