8 Tums Side Effects You Should Know About

Tums (calcium carbonate) is a popular over-the-counter (OTC) medication for treating heartburn, or acid reflux. Tums, which is available in several different forms, is part of a group of medications called antacids.

Although Tums is available OTC, it can cause side effects like any other medication, even serious ones in rare instances. Knowing about Tums side effects can help keep you safe, even if you only use this product on occasion.

Tums side effects at a glance

Since Tums is often used short term, serious side effects are rare. The potential mild side effects include:

• Constipation

• Nausea and vomiting

• Abdominal pain

• Gas

• Decreased appetite

• Headaches

• Dry mouth

Although severe side effects are rare, they're more likely if you take high dosages of Tums or take it for a long period of time. Examples of severe side effects include:

• High blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia)

• Low phosphate levels (hypophosphatemia)

• Milk-alkali syndrome

• Kidney problems

• Acid rebound if used for a long time

Now, let's take a closer look at eight Tums side effects and what to do if you develop them.

1. Constipation

Constipation is a possible side effect of calcium carbonate, the active ingredient in Tums. The best way to manage constipation is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Here are some tips that can help:

• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

• Eat foods that are high in fiber, such as whole grains, beans, and fruit.

• Exercise regularly.

There are also several OTC medications that can treat constipation. Examples include bisacodyl (Dulcolax) and senna (Senokot). But it's best to talk with a healthcare professional before taking these products. Even though they're available OTC, they may not be the best option for you if you have certain health conditions or take certain medications.

It's important to note that constipation can also be a sign of hypercalcemia. This is a rare but serious Tums side effect that we'll cover below.

2. Nausea and vomiting

It's possible to develop nausea and vomiting as a side effect of taking Tums. But there are several potential causes for nausea and vomiting. So it can be hard to determine whether the symptoms are due to Tums or something else.

If you develop nausea or vomiting after you start taking Tums and your symptoms don't improve within a few days, let a healthcare professional know. They can help determine if there's another possible cause.

In the meantime, you can try some home remedies to manage nausea. Drinking plenty of water, eating smaller (but more frequent) meals, and avoiding certain foods (like fried or spicy foods) may help keep nausea at bay.

3. Gas

Tums may cause gas as a side effect. Symptoms of gas include bloating and discomfort in the abdomen.

Like nausea and vomiting, there are several possible causes of gas besides Tums. And acid reflux itself can also lead to gas. So if you had gas before taking Tums and it doesn't improve, you may need another medication to treat your reflux. This is when it's best to talk to a healthcare professional.

If you do have gas related to Tums, it should be temporary. In the meantime, here are a few tips you can try to relieve gas:

• Avoid carbonated beverages.

• Eat more slowly and eat smaller (but more frequent) meals throughout the day

• Take a short walk after eating.

• Consider trying Tums+ Gas Relief, a product that contains simethicone (a medication that relieves gas).

4. Decreased appetite

Some people experience decreased appetite with Tums. But the research on whether Tums actually causes decreased appetite is mixed. One small study showed calcium reduced appetite, but another small study found that it didn't.

If you experience appetite loss with Tums, let your healthcare professional know. Appetite loss can occur for several reasons, including some medications and health conditions. For example, appetite loss may be a sign of hypercalcemia, another potential side effect of Tums.

5. Dry mouth

Dry mouth usually isn't serious, but it can be uncomfortable and affect your quality of life. It's a possible side effect of numerous medications, including Tums.

One tip for managing dry mouth is to change the Tums product you use. Some formulations have more of a dry, chalky feeling than others, which may make dry mouth more likely. You can ask your pharmacist for help choosing a Tums product if needed.

Additionally, drink plenty of water when taking Tums. This not only helps with dry mouth, but can help prevent other side effects, such as constipation. There are also other home remedies that may help, such as chewing sugar-free gum.

Long-term dry mouth can lead to dental problems, including mouth infections. So reach out to your healthcare professional if your symptoms disrupt your ability to eat or last for more than a few days.

6. Hypercalcemia

The active ingredient in Tums (calcium carbonate) can be used as a calcium supplement to treat low blood calcium (hypocalcemia). But having too much calcium (hypercalcemia) can also be problematic.

It's possible for Tums to cause hypercalcemia. This side effect is unlikely if you only take Tums occasionally for heartburn relief. But if you're using Tums long term, the risk is higher. Symptoms of hypercalcemia include:

• Fatigue

• Appetite loss

• Muscle weakness

• Nausea and vomiting

• Constipation

• Bone pain

Hypercalcemia can lead to kidney and heart problems. So contact your healthcare professional if you think you're experiencing symptoms of this condition. If the symptoms feel severe, seek emergency care.

If you have a health condition that can increase calcium levels - such as kidney problems, low phosphate levels, or heart failure - talk with your healthcare professional before taking Tums. They may recommend another heartburn medication instead.

If you have low calcium levels, talk with your healthcare professional before you start taking a calcium supplement like Tums, especially if you're considering taking it long term. They may suggest other ways to increase your calcium, such as eating foods high in calcium, since Tums can cause side effects. And some research suggests that Tums and other calcium supplements may lead to heart and blood vessel problems.

7. Hypophosphatemia

Calcium carbonate (the active ingredient in Tums) works as a phosphate binder. This means it attaches to the phosphate you get from food and helps eliminate it through your stool. This can be useful for people with high phosphate levels (hyperphosphatemia).

However, taking a calcium supplement like Tums can lead to low phosphate levels (hypophosphatemia) if you take it long term. You may not experience symptoms with hypophosphatemia, but general body weakness is the most common symptom. Others may include confusion and numbness.

Hypophosphatemia with Tums is rare. But this side effect can be serious. Contact your healthcare professional right away if you experience weakness. They may recommend that you stop taking Tums and want to check your phosphate levels.

8. Kidney problems

While rare, kidney problems are a possible Tums side effect. This is unlikely to happen if you only use Tums as needed to treat heartburn. But it's more likely if you take Tums long term or in high dosages.

Potential kidney problems related to Tums include kidney stones, or more seriously, sudden kidney failure. Kidney failure typically only happens when an extremely large dose is taken at once, or when high dosages are taken for a long time. Kidney stones may not cause symptoms. But larger ones can lead to fever, pain, and blood in the urine. Symptoms of sudden kidney failure include producing less or no urine, shortness of breath, and confusion.

If you experience symptoms like peeing less or blood in your urine, contact your healthcare professional immediately. If your symptoms feel severe, seek emergency care.