How does it work?

Tums assorted fruit antacid tablets contain the active ingredient calcium carbonate, which is a type of medicine called an antacid.

Calcium carbonate works by binding to excess acid produced by the stomach. This neutralises the acid and decreases the acidity of the stomach contents.

Antacids relieve the pain and discomfort of indigestion, heartburn and other symptoms related to excess stomach acid, by reducing the acidity of the stomach contents. They work as soon as they reach the stomach.

What is it used for?

• Acid indigestion, heartburn, flatulence (excess gas) and nausea.

Warning!

• Do not exceed the recommended dose.
• If symptoms persist despite treatment, seek medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
• Indigestion and heartburn can sometimes be symptoms of more serious conditions such as stomach ulcers or stomach cancer. For this reason, you should consult your doctor before taking this medicine if any of the following apply to you: you are middle aged or older and your indigestion symptoms are new or recently changed; you also have difficulty swallowing; you have persistant stomach pain or unintended weight loss associated with indigestion; or you are taking painkillers called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), eg aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, indometacin, naproxen, azapropazone, piroxicam, ketoprofen.

Not to be used in

• Children under six years of age.
• Kidney problems.
• People with high levels of calcium in their blood (hypercalcaemia).
• People with low levels of phosphate in their blood (hypophosphataemia).

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

• There are no known harmful effects when this medicine is used by pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• Constipation.
• Increase in the level of calcium in the blood (hypercalcaemia).
• if used for long periods of time there may be an increase in the amount of stomach acid produced after you stop taking the tablets.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer.For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

Antacids such as calcium carbonate can reduce the absorption of other medicines from the gut, which may make the other medicines less effective. If you are taking any other medicines, consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking this antacid. In general, any interactions can be avoided by leaving an interval of about two hours between taking this medicine and any other medicine. This is particularly important for the following medicines:

• ciprofloxacin
• iron preparations
• tetracycline-type antibiotics, eg doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient