Sunward Suntacid

Sunward Suntacid is an antacid tablet from the Malaysian pharmaceutical brand Sunward, supplied by DoctorOnCall as a strip of 10 tablets. Its active ingredients are aluminium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide, a long-established combination of two alkaline antacid compounds. The tablet is designed to be chewed or sucked slowly and then swallowed with water, as described in the product information shown on DoctorOnCall.

Aluminium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide are often combined because their effects on the bowel differ, with aluminium compounds tending to firm the stool and magnesium compounds tending to loosen it. The sources reviewed do not publish the milligram strength of each ingredient, or the full list of tablet excipients such as flavouring and binders, so please refer to the pack for the exact composition. Antacid tablets of this type are formulated to be chewed, so that the particles are broken down before the tablet is swallowed.

Sunward Suntacid is for oral use only, and it should be taken as directed on the pack rather than in larger amounts or for prolonged periods. It contains aluminium and magnesium, so people with kidney disease, and people taking other medicines that need to be absorbed carefully, should speak with a doctor or pharmacist before use. Our pharmacist team at DoctorOnCall can answer questions about ingredients, suitability and how to space this product from other medicines before you order.

Chew or suck the tablet slowly and then swallow it with a glass of water, rather than swallowing it whole without chewing. Take it after meals and at bedtime, or as directed on the pack or by a healthcare professional. Wash and dry your hands before handling the tablet and keep the remaining tablets in their strip until needed.

To avoid interfering with other medicines, leave a gap of about 2 hours between this antacid and any other medicine you take, unless a pharmacist has told you otherwise. Do not use more tablets than the pack directs, and do not use the product continuously for long periods without medical advice.

• Drink a glass of water after chewing so the tablet is washed down fully.
• Do not crush the tablet into food or drinks unless the pack allows this.
• Avoid taking it at the same time as citrus juices or citrate-containing products, since these can increase aluminium absorption.

Adults: 1 to 2 tablets, taken after meals and at bedtime, or as directed by a healthcare professional, as stated in the product information shown on DoctorOnCall. Do not exceed the dose on the pack, and note that the pack instructions take priority if they differ. Not to be used continuously for more than 2 weeks without medical advice.

Children: use only on the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. Missed dose: this product is taken after meals and at bedtime, so simply take the next dose when it is due and do not double up. If symptoms persist for more than a few days, recur frequently or worsen, stop taking the tablets and consult a doctor.

Check the expiry date printed on the strip and carton. A fixed shelf life is not stated in the sources reviewed, so please use the tablets before the printed expiry date and discard any tablet that is discoloured, crumbling or damaged.

Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from direct sunlight, heat and moisture. Keep the tablets in their original strip and carton until you are ready to use them.

• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not store in a humid bathroom or a hot car.
• Do not use after the expiry date on the pack.

• Common: Constipation, which is more often associated with the aluminium hydroxide component.
• Common: Diarrhoea or loose stools, which are more often associated with the magnesium hydroxide component.
• Common: Nausea, burping, bloating or a chalky taste in the mouth.
• Serious: Muscle weakness, unusual tiredness, a slow or irregular heartbeat or confusion, which can be signs of raised magnesium or aluminium levels, particularly in people with kidney problems, and need urgent medical care.
• Serious: Severe or persistent abdominal pain, black or bloody stools or vomiting blood, which need immediate medical assessment.
• Serious: Allergic reactions such as rash, swelling of the face, lips or throat, or difficulty breathing, which need emergency care.

• Known hypersensitivity to aluminium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide or any other ingredient in the tablet.
• Severe kidney impairment, unless a doctor has specifically advised use, because aluminium and magnesium can build up in the body.
• Symptoms that suggest a serious condition, such as black stools, vomiting blood, difficulty swallowing or unexplained weight loss, which need medical assessment rather than self-medication.
• Use in people with low blood phosphate levels, or a history of bowel obstruction, unless advised by a doctor.

• Antacids containing aluminium and magnesium can reduce the absorption of many medicines, including tetracycline and quinolone antibiotics, iron supplements, levothyroxine, digoxin, some antifungals and bisphosphonates, so take other medicines at least 2 hours before or after this product unless advised otherwise.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you take medicines for kidney disease, blood pressure or heart rhythm, as the magnesium and aluminium in this product may add to their effects or accumulate.
• Do not use with other antacids or magnesium- or aluminium-containing products at the same time, since this increases the total amount of aluminium and magnesium taken.
• Citrus fruit juices and other citrate-containing products may increase aluminium absorption, so avoid taking the tablet at the same time as them.
• No other food interactions are known when the tablet is taken as directed.

• Chew the tablet slowly and drink water afterwards.
• Space this antacid about 2 hours away from other medicines, including iron and antibiotics.
• Take it after meals and at bedtime as directed, rather than on an empty stomach.
• Note how often you need the tablets, because frequent use should be reviewed by a doctor.
• Store the strip in a dry place below 30°C and away from children.
• Do not use it continuously for more than 2 weeks without medical advice.

Precautions: Consult a doctor before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have kidney disease, heart disease, or a low-phosphate or restricted-magnesium diet, or if you take regular medicines. Do not exceed the recommended dose, do not use it continuously for prolonged periods, and do not give it to children unless a doctor or pharmacist has advised. Long-term high-dose use of aluminium-containing antacids can lower phosphate levels and, in people with kidney problems, allow aluminium or magnesium to accumulate. Keep out of the reach of children.

When to See a Doctor or Pharmacist: seek advice if your symptoms persist for more than a few days, recur often, or worsen despite taking the tablets. See a doctor promptly if you have difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, persistent vomiting, black or bloody stools, severe abdominal pain, or chest pain, since these need assessment. Seek emergency care immediately if you develop muscle weakness, an irregular heartbeat, confusion, swelling of the face or throat, or difficulty breathing.