Do Antacids help Gallbladder Pain?

The gallbladder is a small organ that stores bile from the liver and helps break down fats during digestion. Gallstones form when the liquid inside the gallbladder hardens into tiny stones. Gallstones can cause pain and inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis). Common symptoms of cholecystitis include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain on the right side below the ribs, and fever. Other complications may occur if a stone moves out of the gallbladder and blocks one of the major bile ducts that lead to and from the liver. This blockage is called a biliary obstruction. A doctor can remove or dissolve gallstones using several methods such as shock wave lithotripsy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), or open surgery.

What are antacids?

Antacids are medications that neutralize the acid in the stomach (1). They include commonly used over-the-counter drugs such as Rolaids, Tums, and Mylanta, which contain calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, or aluminum hydroxide, respectively. Other antacids are available by prescription only.

How do antacids work to relieve gallbladder pain?

Antacids neutralize excess stomach acid that may be causing the inflammation of the gallbladder or bile ducts because they cannot dissolve large particles (2). Antacids also decrease the risk of stomach ulcers. They can be used safely for a long time to treat chronic conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which is characterized by uncontrolled acid production in the stomach.

What are the common side effects associated with antacids?

The most common side effects include: bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. People who take large doses or use them too often may be at increased risk for kidney stones. It is important to limit the amount you take and how often you take these medicines because they contain aluminum and calcium, which can accumulate in your body over time and lead to serious health problems such as Alzheimer’s disease. When taken as recommended, however, they are safe and effective.

Who should not take antacids?

People who have certain medical conditions or take certain medications should not take antacids without first consulting a physician because they may interfere with how the other medications work. For instance, people who have a problem absorbing nutrients from food, such as those with cystic fibrosis, severe kidney disease, or some cases of anemia, should avoid antacids that contain aluminum hydroxide. Antacids may also decrease the effectiveness of tetracycline antibiotics. Talk to your doctor before taking any medication for stomach problems.

What are alternatives there to treating gallbladder pain?

Medical scientists have been developing new drugs that prevent stones from forming in the gallbladder in recent years (3). In very rare cases, surgery is required to remove the gallbladder when other treatments have not been successful.

1. They neutralize excess stomach acid.
2. They decrease the risk of stomach ulcers
3. Antacids can be used safely for a long period
4. Antacids work by decreasing pain due to inflammation or obstruction of bile ducts
5. The most common side effects include: bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation

Who should not take antacids?

People who have certain medical conditions or take certain medications should not take antacids without first consulting a physician because they may interfere with how the other medications are.

What are alternatives there to treating gallbladder pain?

Medical scientists have been developing new drugs that prevent stones from forming in the gallbladder in recent years. In very rare cases, surgery is required to remove the gallbladder when other treatments have not been successful.

Conclusion:

Antacids are widely used to treat heartburn, indigestion, and ulcers. They work by neutralizing stomach acid, but they do not affect the underlying cause of your pain. If you have gallbladder problems or inflammation in this region, antacids will provide relief for these symptoms but could worsen your condition. Talk to a doctor about other treatment options if any of these apply to you.

 

Article Studies, References, and Resources

1. Antacids revisited: review on contemporary facts and relevance for self-management by Vandana Garg – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8966100/
2. The different types of antacids and how they work By Louisa Richards – https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/antacids
3. Gallstones (Cholelithiasis) Treatment & Management by Douglas M Heuman, MD, FACP, FACG, AGAF – https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/175667-treatment