Aluminum, Magnesium Hydroxide (OTC drug) & Nutrient Depletion
Also searched as Wingel. What the clinical evidence reports, what it may mean, and what to discuss with your pharmacist.
Aluminum, Magnesium Hydroxide (OTC drug) has been associated with depletion of CALCIUM. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these are worth knowing about and, if you take Aluminum, Magnesium Hydroxide (OTC drug) long-term, worth raising with your pharmacist or healthcare provider.
Take more than one medication? Open the checker with Aluminum, Magnesium Hydroxide (OTC drug) pre-loaded and add the rest to see overlapping nutrient signals.
Reported nutrient depletions with Aluminum, Magnesium Hydroxide (OTC drug)
Each record below is shown as published in our licensed clinical database, with its evidence rating and citations. Expand a section for food sources and talking points.
CALCIUM
Moderate DepletionALUMINUM
Large doses of aluminum salts (aluminum hydroxide 1-3 grams four times daily, e.g., 90-260 mL Maalox daily) bind dietary phosphate, causing hypophosphatemia. This induces movement of calcium from bone into the blood, increasing urinary calcium excretion. There are reports of negative calcium balance after short-term use of large doses of aluminum-containing antacids, and of osteomalacia after prolonged use of large doses, especially in people with a low dietary phosphate intake, or a low dietary calcium intake (less than 250 mg per day). Advise patients to avoid taking large doses of aluminum-containing antacids for prolonged periods, unless they are taking them for hyperphosphatemia associated with chronic renal failure.
Calcium keeps your bones strong and helps your muscles and heart work properly, so it is worth paying attention to when taking large amounts of aluminum-containing antacids like this one. Here is the concern: aluminum can grab onto phosphate in your gut before it is absorbed, which causes phosphate levels to drop. Your body then pulls calcium out of your bones to compensate, and more of it ends up flushed out through your urine. This is really only a meaningful concern with very high doses taken over a long stretch of time, especially if your diet is already low in calcium or phosphate. If you rely on this antacid regularly, it is a good idea to bring it up with your pharmacist or doctor.
What Calcium does & food sources
Calcium builds and maintains bone and is essential for muscle contraction and nerve signaling.
Common food sources:
- Dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese)
- Fortified plant milks and juices
- Canned fish with bones (sardines, salmon)
- Leafy greens like kale
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
What to discuss with your clinician
Ask your provider whether bone health monitoring (and vitamin D testing) makes sense with long-term use of an associated medication — a blood calcium level alone does not capture bone calcium status.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Supplement considerations
Calcium can interfere with the absorption of several medications (some antibiotics, thyroid medication, iron) — separate the doses and confirm timing with your pharmacist. Total intake from food plus supplements matters more than supplements alone.
Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance — supplements can interact with prescription medications.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Caution: Very high calcium intake has its own risks (kidney stones in susceptible people) — more is not better.
Learn more about this nutrient: Calcium — uses, safety & interactions
References (2)
This tool is educational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. An association is not a diagnosis and does not mean a deficiency will occur. Always talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or supplement.
Disclaimer: This checker finds which nutrients might be depleted by prescription or over-the-counter medications. Each nutrient depletion issue is rated based on clinical significance. Use your own professional judgment prior to making clinical decisions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center Licensed records refresh weekly · last updated July 3, 2026.
More about Aluminum, Magnesium Hydroxide (OTC drug)
What drug-induced nutrient depletion means
Some medications can, over time, lower the levels of certain vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients — through reduced absorption, increased loss, or changes in how the body uses them.
Association is not deficiency
An entry here means a depletion has been reported or studied — not that it happens to everyone, or that you are deficient. Dose, duration, diet, and your own health all matter.
Evidence varies by pair
Some drug–nutrient links (like metformin and vitamin B12) are well studied; others rest on limited or preliminary research. Each entry shows the evidence rating from our licensed clinical database.
When to ask about labs
If you take an associated medication long-term, ask your healthcare provider whether monitoring is appropriate for you. Not everyone needs testing — your provider can weigh your dose, duration, and symptoms.
Don't self-supplement blindly
Supplements are not risk-free: some can interact with medications, and some (like potassium or magnesium) can be risky with kidney disease. Talk to your pharmacist before adding anything.
Never stop a medication over this
These medications are prescribed for good reasons, and the benefit usually far outweighs a manageable nutrient consideration. Any change belongs in a conversation with your prescriber.
Food first, usually
For many nutrients, a varied diet covers the gap. Each entry lists common food sources; a supplement is a decision to make with your pharmacist or provider, not a default.
Aluminum, Magnesium Hydroxide (OTC drug) & nutrients: FAQs
Does Aluminum, Magnesium Hydroxide (OTC drug) deplete CALCIUM?
Should I take a supplement because I take Aluminum, Magnesium Hydroxide (OTC drug)?
Should I stop taking Aluminum, Magnesium Hydroxide (OTC drug)?
Where does this information come from?
Questions about Aluminum, Magnesium Hydroxide (OTC drug) and your nutrition?
Ask a licensed pharmacist — free, no appointment needed.
Sources & How We Checked
Nutrient depletion records for Aluminum, Magnesium Hydroxide (OTC drug) are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database, and are displayed as published with their citations.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference for drug-induced nutrient depletions, supplements, and interactions — the basis for this page.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine — NIH consumer drug information, used for medication overviews across the site.
Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.