Tums® While Pregnant: What You Need to Know

While it’s important to pay attention to what you put in your body at all times, when you’re pregnant, the risks of pregnancy complications, side effects, drug interactions, or effects on your unborn baby are amplified.

Even some of the most common over-the-counter medications can be detrimental during pregnancy.

During pregnancy, nearly half of pregnant women will experience heartburn [1], as well as other gastrointestinal symptoms. If this is you, you might be tempted to reach for the roll of Tums® in your medicine cabinet.

Tums® is a brand name for calcium carbonate, which is not considered toxic when taken in small, concentrated doses. But is it safe during pregnancy?

First: What is Pregnancy Heartburn?

Heartburn is a common complaint during pregnancy, especially during the third trimester.

But why do you get pregnancy heartburn in the first place?

Simply put, the lower esophageal sphincter is a muscle valve that helps keep stomach acid in the stomach. It’s located where the food pipe meets the stomach, and it opens to let food in and gas out before closing again. But, if the LES doesn’t close properly, stomach acid can come back up and cause heartburn.

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect the lower esophageal sphincter and how quickly food moves through the digestive system. This can worsen as the fetus grows and places more pressure on the stomach.

Can You Take Tums® for Heartburn While Pregnant?

Tums® are rated a Category C medication, which means that the medication is generally considered safe to take during pregnancy. However, Tums® should be used with caution even if the benefits outweigh the risks.

How Often Can You Take Tums® If You are Pregnant?

Tums® can be taken as needed to relieve heartburn and other digestive symptoms during pregnancy. It is important, however, to follow recommended dosage instructions from your obstetrician and to be careful not to exceed the maximum daily dose.

How Many Tums® Can You Take at a Time While Pregnant?

Tums® vary in strength, depending on the type, and pregnant women must take caution not to exceed the maximum daily allowance.

Below is a quick-reference guide for popular types of Tums® and how much is recommended for a pregnant woman

Type of Tums	Non-Pregnant Females	Pregnant Females
Tums Regular, Tums Extra Strength, Tums Chewy Bites, Tums Smoothies	Do not exceed more than 6 tablets per 24 hours	Do not exceed more than 4 per 24 hours
Tums Naturals	Do not exceed more than 7 tablets per 24 hours	Do not exceed 5 tablets for 24 hours

What Happens if You Take Too Many Tums® During Pregnancy?

Although it is unlikely that taking too many Tums® will turn fatal, too many Tums® can lead to high calcium levels which can cause disturbances in heart rhythm as well as kidney stones and impaired kidney function.

These more severe side effects are most common for individuals who have exceeded the daily recommended dosage over a long period of time. But if you are pregnant, it is important to see your OB/GYN if you are concerned that you have taken too many Tums®.

Does Tums® Interact With Other Medications During Pregnancy?

It is possible that Tums® or any other drug may have an interaction with other drugs, and the effects of this interaction can be exacerbated if you are pregnant.

According to drugs.com, there are 216 drugs that may interact with Tums®. Some of the most commonly reported drug interactions with Tums® include [2]:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol®)
• Albuterol (ProAir®, Ventolin®)
• Alprazolam (Xanax®)
• Amlodipine (Norvasc®)
• Aspirin (Bayer®, Ecotrin®)
• Atorvastatin (Lipitor®)
• Benadryl® (diphenhydramine)
• Cetirizine (Zyrtec®)
• Cyanocobalamin (Nascobal®)
• Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3®)
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®)
• Fluticasone nasal (Flonase®)
• Famotidine (Pepcid®)
• Fish Oil (omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) (Lovaza®, Omacor®)
• Gabapentin (Neurontin®)
• Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®)
• Levothyroxine (Synthroid®, Levoxyl®)
• Lisinopril (Zestril®, Prinivil®)
• Magnesium oxide (Mag-Ox®)
• Melatonin (Natrol®, MidNite®)
• Metformin (Glucophage®, Fortamet®)
• Miralax® (polyethylene glycol 3350)
• Multivitamin (Centrum®, One-A-Day®)
• Omeprazole (Prilosec®)
• Pantoprazole (Protonix®)
• Pepto-Bismol® (bismuth subsalicylate)
• Polyethylene glycol 3350 (Miralax®)
• Prednisone (Deltasone®, Rayos®)
• Tramadol (Ultram®, ConZip®)
• Trazodone (Desyrel®)
• Tylenol® (acetaminophen)
• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) (Emergen-C®, Airborne®)
• Vitamin D3 (Caltrate®, Citracal®)
• Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol®)

This is not an exhaustive list of medications that may interact with Tums®. Just because here is a possibility of interaction does not guarantee that there will be one. Speak with your doctor to discuss your unique circumstances to determine whether or not it is safe to take Tums® if you are taking any other medications.

Stress and Pregnancy Symptoms

While being pregnant can be one of the most exciting experiences of your life, sometimes hormones, fear of the unknown, or other worries can exacerbate pregnancy symptoms, including sleeplessness, headaches, and gastrointestinal upset and heartburn, leaving you feeling stressed out during a time when you feel you should be happiest.

It is completely normal for you to experience feelings of stress during pregnancy, however, there are ways to manage stress that causes or worsens pregnancy symptoms.

Call and speak to one of our intake specialists today and discuss mental health treatment options so that you can get back to the best version of yourself and enjoy this beautiful time of your life.

 

More Frequently Asked Questions About Taking Tums® During Pregnancy

Do you have more questions about the safety and efficacy of taking Tums® during pregnancy, such as taking the medication while breastfeeding [3] or lactation [4]? We’ve answered some of the most common inquiries below.

Is it Safe to Take Tums® if You Have Gestational Diabetes?

Depending on how well controlled your gestational diabetes is, as well as your kidney function and calcium levels, it may be safe to take Tums® during pregnancy. However, it is important to get clearance from your doctor before taking any medications while pregnant.

Do Tums® Cause Constipation During Pregnancy?

It is not typical for Tums® to cause constipation during pregnancy. In fact, it’s often quite the opposite. Tums® neutralize stomach acid which can aid in digestion and promote regular bowel movements.

Can I Take Tums® While Breastfeeding?

It is generally considered safe to take Tums® if you are breastfeeding, as studies have not shown that this medication is found in breastmilk.

Can Tums® Affect My Prenatal Vitamins?

Studies have shown that calcium carbonate may decrease the effectiveness of prenatal vitamins. It is recommended to wait 2 hours between medications.

Can Tums Help with Morning Sickness?

Although Tums® are not meant to treat symptoms of morning sickness, some women use Tums® to relieve the associated nausea.

Can Tums® Help With Acid Reflux During Pregnancy?

Tums® works by neutralizing stomach acid and reducing the symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux during and outside of pregnancy.

Can Tums® help with Stomach Pain During Pregnancy?

Tums® can help alleviate pain and discomfort associated with gas, indigestion, heartburn, and other digestive problems during pregnancy, however, if you are experiencing any abdominal pain, it is important to seek medical attention right away to rule out more severe conditions.

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SOURCES:

[1] Vazquez, J. C. (2015). Heartburn in pregnancy. PubMed Central (PMC). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4562453/
[2] Drugs.com. (n.d.). Tums® Regular Strength Interactions. Retrieved from https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/calcium-carbonate,tums-regular-strength.html on 2023, 31 March.
[3] National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2022, July 18). Antacids. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501322/
[4] Lewis, J. H., & Weingold, A. B. NCBI. (1985, November). The use of gastrointestinal drugs during pregnancy and lactation. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2864852/ on 2023, 31 March.