Alka-Seltzer

What is Alka-Seltzer?[edit | edit source]

Alka-Seltzer is a commercial antacid; tablets dissolve in water to give an effervescent solution.
Alka-Seltzer contains three active ingredients: aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) (ASA), sodium bicarbonate, and anhydrous citric acid.

Aspirin-skeletal

What are the uses of this medicine?[edit | edit source]

Alka-Seltzer is used for the temporary relief of:

heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach when accompanied with headache or body aches and pains
upset stomach with headache from overindulgence in food or drink
headache, body aches, and pain alone

How does this medicine work?[edit | edit source]

The aspirin is a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory, the sodium bicarbonate is an antacid, and the citric acid reacts with the sodium bicarbonate and water to form effervescence.

Who Should Not Use this medicine ?[edit | edit source]

Children and teenagers who have or are recovering from chicken pox or flu-like symptoms should not use this product.

This medicine cannot be used in patients who:

are allergic to aspirin or any other pain reliever/fever reducer
have ever had an allergic reaction to this product or any of its ingredients

What drug interactions can this medicine cause?[edit | edit source]

Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.

Be sure to mention any of the following:

presently taking a prescription drug. Antacids may interact with certain prescription drugs.
taking a prescription drug for diabetes, gout, or arthritis

Is this medicine FDA approved?[edit | edit source]

Yes, it is FDA approved.

How should this medicine be used?[edit | edit source]

Recommended dosage: Adults and children 12 years and over:

2 tablets every 4 hours, or as directed by a doctor.
Do not exceed 8 tablets in 24 hours.

Adults 60 years and over:

2 tablets every 4 hours, or as directed by a doctor.
Do not exceed 4 tablets in 24 hours.

children under 12 years:

consult a doctor.

Administration:

Fully dissolve 2 tablets in 4 ounces of water before taking.

What are the dosage forms and brand names of this medicine?[edit | edit source]

This medicine is available in fallowing doasage form:

As Tablets

This medicine is available in fallowing brand namesː Alka-Seltzer

What side effects can this medication cause?[edit | edit source]

The most common side effects of this medicine include:

hives
facial swelling
asthma (wheezing)
shock
redness or swelling
ringing in the ears or a loss of hearing

What special precautions should I follow?[edit | edit source]

Children and teenagers who have or are recovering from chicken pox or flu-like symptoms should not use this product. When using this product, if changes in behavior with nausea and vomiting occur, consult a doctor because these symptoms could be an early sign of Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious illness.
Aspirin may cause a severe allergic reaction which may include: hives; facial swelling; asthma (wheezing); shock.

This product contains an NSAID, which may cause severe stomach bleeding.

The chance is higher if you:

are age 60 or older
have had stomach ulcers or bleeding problems
take a blood thinning (anticoagulant) or steroid drug
take other drugs containing prescription or nonprescription NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or others)
have 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while using this product
take more or for a longer time than directed
If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use.

What to do in case of emergency/overdose?[edit | edit source]

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline of your country. In the United States, call 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose related information is also available online at poisonhelp.org/help.
In the event that the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services. In the United States, call 911.

Can this medicine be used in pregnancy?[edit | edit source]

It is especially important not to use aspirin during the last 3 months of pregnancy unless definitely directed to do so by a doctor because it may cause problems in the unborn child or complications during delivery.

Can this medicine be used in children?[edit | edit source]

Safety and effectiveness have been established in pediatric patients.
Children and teenagers who have or are recovering from chicken pox or flu-like symptoms should not use this product.

What are the active and inactive ingredients in this medicine?[edit | edit source]

Active ingredient:

ANHYDROUS CITRIC ACID
ASPIRIN
SODIUM BICARBONATE

Inactive ingredients:

none

Who manufactures and distributes this medicine?[edit | edit source]

Dist. by:

Bayer HealthCare LLC
Whippany, NJ

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?[edit | edit source]

store at room temperature.
Avoid excessive heat.
Alka-Seltzer in water contains principally the antacid sodium citrate and the analgesic sodium acetylsalicylate

Alka-Seltzer Resources
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