Aluminum Hydroxide Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 11, 2023.

Usual Adult Dose for Dyspepsia

640 mg orally up to 5 to 6 times a day as needed after meals and at bedtime

• Maximum dose: 3840 mg/day
• Duration of therapy: Up to 2 weeks

Comments:

• Patients should shake the bottle prior to dosing.
• The dose may be followed by a sip of water, if needed.

Uses:

• Relief of acid indigestion
• Relief of heartburn
• Relief of sour stomach

Usual Adult Dose for Duodenal Ulcer

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Recommendations:
Acute management of moderate/severe esophageal reflux: 320 mg orally every hour

Long-term therapy of esophageal reflux: 640 mg orally 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime

Uncomplicated duodenal/gastric ulcers: 640 mg orally 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime

• Duration of therapy: 4 to 6 weeks (duodenal ulcers); Until healing is complete (gastric ulcers)

Recurrent duodenal ulcers:
Treatment: 640 mg orally 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime

• Duration of therapy: 1 week

Maintenance: 640 mg orally 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime, decreasing the frequency

• Duration of therapy: 1 to 2 weeks

Comments:

• Patients with acute moderate/severe esophageal reflux disease who have persistent symptoms may receive doses every 30 minutes.

Uses:

• To increase gastric pH and lower esophageal sphincter pressure in the management of esophageal reflux
• Initial therapy for mild gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Usual Adult Dose for Erosive Esophagitis

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Recommendations:
Acute management of moderate/severe esophageal reflux: 320 mg orally every hour

Long-term therapy of esophageal reflux: 640 mg orally 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime

Uncomplicated duodenal/gastric ulcers: 640 mg orally 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime

• Duration of therapy: 4 to 6 weeks (duodenal ulcers); Until healing is complete (gastric ulcers)

Recurrent duodenal ulcers:
Treatment: 640 mg orally 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime

• Duration of therapy: 1 week

Maintenance: 640 mg orally 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime, decreasing the frequency

• Duration of therapy: 1 to 2 weeks

Comments:

• Patients with acute moderate/severe esophageal reflux disease who have persistent symptoms may receive doses every 30 minutes.

Uses:

• To increase gastric pH and lower esophageal sphincter pressure in the management of esophageal reflux
• Initial therapy for mild gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Usual Adult Dose for Gastric Ulcer

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Recommendations:
Acute management of moderate/severe esophageal reflux: 320 mg orally every hour

Long-term therapy of esophageal reflux: 640 mg orally 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime

Uncomplicated duodenal/gastric ulcers: 640 mg orally 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime

• Duration of therapy: 4 to 6 weeks (duodenal ulcers); Until healing is complete (gastric ulcers)

Recurrent duodenal ulcers:
Treatment: 640 mg orally 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime

• Duration of therapy: 1 week

Maintenance: 640 mg orally 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime, decreasing the frequency

• Duration of therapy: 1 to 2 weeks

Comments:

• Patients with acute moderate/severe esophageal reflux disease who have persistent symptoms may receive doses every 30 minutes.

Uses:

• To increase gastric pH and lower esophageal sphincter pressure in the management of esophageal reflux
• Initial therapy for mild gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Usual Adult Dose for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Recommendations:
Acute management of moderate/severe esophageal reflux: 320 mg orally every hour

Long-term therapy of esophageal reflux: 640 mg orally 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime

Uncomplicated duodenal/gastric ulcers: 640 mg orally 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime

• Duration of therapy: 4 to 6 weeks (duodenal ulcers); Until healing is complete (gastric ulcers)

Recurrent duodenal ulcers:
Treatment: 640 mg orally 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime

• Duration of therapy: 1 week

Maintenance: 640 mg orally 1 and 3 hours after meals and at bedtime, decreasing the frequency

• Duration of therapy: 1 to 2 weeks

Comments:

• Patients with acute moderate/severe esophageal reflux disease who have persistent symptoms may receive doses every 30 minutes.

Uses:

• To increase gastric pH and lower esophageal sphincter pressure in the management of esophageal reflux
• Initial therapy for mild gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Usual Adult Dose for Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis

ASHP Recommendations: 640 mg orally up to 5 to 6 times a day as needed after meals and at bedtime

• Maximum dose: 3840 mg/day
• Duration of therapy: Up to 2 weeks

Comments:

• Patients with severe symptoms may be given this drug (diluted with water or milk) via continuous intragastric infusion.
• Patients with gastrointestinal bleeding should be given doses to maintain nasogastric aspirate over a pH of 3.5.

Uses:

• Prevention of gastrointestinal bleeding
• Prevention of stress ulceration

Usual Adult Dose for Upper GI Hemorrhage

ASHP Recommendations: 640 mg orally up to 5 to 6 times a day as needed after meals and at bedtime

• Maximum dose: 3840 mg/day
• Duration of therapy: Up to 2 weeks

Comments:

• Patients with severe symptoms may be given this drug (diluted with water or milk) via continuous intragastric infusion.
• Patients with gastrointestinal bleeding should be given doses to maintain nasogastric aspirate over a pH of 3.5.

Uses:

• Prevention of gastrointestinal bleeding
• Prevention of stress ulceration

Usual Adult Dose for Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage

ASHP Recommendations: 640 mg orally up to 5 to 6 times a day as needed after meals and at bedtime

• Maximum dose: 3840 mg/day
• Duration of therapy: Up to 2 weeks

Comments:

• Patients with severe symptoms may be given this drug (diluted with water or milk) via continuous intragastric infusion.
• Patients with gastrointestinal bleeding should be given doses to maintain nasogastric aspirate over a pH of 3.5.

Uses:

• Prevention of gastrointestinal bleeding
• Prevention of stress ulceration

Usual Adult Dose for Surgical Prophylaxis

ASHP Recommendations: 640 mg orally ONCE 30 minutes prior to anesthesia

Use: Adjunct of prophylactic therapy to reduce the risk of gastric acid aspiration in patients undergoing cesarean section or emergency surgery

Usual Adult Dose for Hyperphosphatemia

ASHP Recommendations: 1920 to 2560 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day

Comment: Aluminum carbonate binds more phosphate and may be preferred to this drug.

Use: In conjunction with dietary phosphate restriction in the management of hyperphosphatemia, including calcinosis universalis, hyperparathyroidism secondary to chronic hemodialysis, and to prevent recurrent phosphoric renal calculi

Renal Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Liver Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Dose Adjustments

Therapeutic drug monitoring/range:

• Gastric pH: Above 3.5
• Nasogastric aspirate (pH): 3.5

Precautions

CONTRAINDICATIONS: None.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:

• Liquid: Shake well before use.

Storage requirements:

• Liquid: Protect from freezing; keep tightly closed when not in use.

Monitoring:

• METABOLIC: Bimonthly serum phosphate levels in patients receiving maintenance dialysis

Patient advice:

• Advise patients to speak to their healthcare provider if they become pregnant, intend to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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