Is Tums Safe While Breastfeeding?

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Acidity and indigestion are common digestive issues women may face during nursing. While dietary changes are helpful, some might consider taking over-the-counter remedies such as Tums. But is Tums safe while breastfeeding? Certain medicines can pass through breast milk and reach the baby, increasing the risk of side effects (1).

Hence, consulting a doctor is essential before consuming any medicines, even mild antacids. It can help you avoid side effects while ensuring you take the correct dosage. Read on as we give you an insight into what Tums is, its safety during nursing, possible side effects, and tips to ensure its safe use for lactating mothers.

What Are Tums?

Tums is a type of antacid made with a combination of sucrose (which is also known as sugar) and calcium carbonate. In the U.S. it is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (2). Tums is available as an OTC, in the form of a sugar-free tablet as well. It helps relieve indigestion, acidity, heartburnⁱA burning sensation in your chest caused by stomach acid flowing back up into your food pipe. , and sour reflexes and is also considered a calcium supplement (3).

Point to consider

Since Tums is also a source of calcium, if you’re taking the medicine during breastfeeding, make sure to keep your total calcium intake (including the calcium-enriched foods) within the RDA, i.e., 1000mg (4).

Is It Safe To Take Tums While You Are Breastfeeding?

Tums contain calcium carbonate, which has poor oral bioavailability, meaning that even if it passes into breast milk, it is unlikely to be absorbed significantly by a breastfed infant (5). It also contains simethicone as an ingredient, but there is not enough evidence to show whether or not it passes into your breast milk. However, its high molecular weight makes it unlikely to transfer into breast milk (5). According to research from the University of California, simethicone is an anti-foaming agent that is considered unabsorbed by the maternal gastrointestinal tract. The study report states, “Even if small amounts were to appear in milk, simethicone is safely given directly to infants, so maternal use is not a concern during breastfeeding (6).” To ensure that your baby will not face any side effects from this antacid, consult your doctor first for breastfeeding safety.

Side Effects Of Taking Tums While Breastfeeding

Even though Tums is an over-the-counter medication, it is important to check with your doctor to ensure maternal health, especially when you are a breastfeeding mom. Do remember that not everyone will experience the same side effects. Also, the side effects you experience may range from mild to severe, but mentioning them to your doctor is essential. Here are a few side effects that you may experience when you take Tums when breastfeeding (3) (7):

1. Constipation

You may experience slight or sudden constipation. If you experience any discomfort or do not pass stool for two days at a stretch after you have taken Tums, make sure to stop it and speak to your doctor about it.

2. Loss of appetite

You may also experience a loss of appetite and may not feel hungry enough, as compared to how much you eat while you are breastfeeding.

3. Sudden and unexplained loss in weight

It is also possible that you notice a sudden loss of weight, even if you have not made any changes to your diet.

The weight loss that you will experience as a side effect of taking Tums will be sudden and kind of without any apparent reason. Also, if you do experience a loss of appetite as a result of the side effect of taking Tums, it may lead to weight loss.

4. Vomiting or nausea

In some cases, you may experience vomiting once you take Tums. Even if you experience it once or twice, do stop taking the medication and speak to your doctor about it.

Additional Side Effects Of Using Tums

In addition to the above signs and symptoms, you may also experience the following side effects when you take Tums. Do make sure to speak to your doctor immediately if you experience (7) (8):

• Pain in the muscles or the bones
• Sudden mood swings such as unexplained depression, over anxiousness, confusion and irritability, without any likely reason
• An increase in your thirst or feeling thirsty all the time, even when you have enough water or fluids
• Dry mouth and a metallic taste.
• Frequent urination or an increase in the number of times you urinate, as well as a sudden urge to urinate immediately
• Feeling weak or tired all the time, even if you have rested or slept well

Serious Side Effects Of Using Tums

Here are a few serious side effects of using Tums that are rare, but may still occur. Do visit your nearest medical center immediately if you experience (9) (10):

• Excessive dizziness
• Difficulty in breathing
• Swelling on any part of your body (especially if it is in the face, throat or tongue)
• Itching on any part of your body
• The appearance of rashes on any part of your body that may or may not spread or itch

Point to consider

It is advised to thoroughly chew Tums (a chewable calcium carbonate tablet) before swallowing it and to follow that up with a glass of water (3).

Before You Take Tums

While you are breastfeeding your baby, you have to check with your doctor before you take Tums. Also, if you have any health issues that you are currently being treated for, or are aware of, make sure you mention the same to your doctor. Here are a few health conditions about which you should speak to your doctor , when you ask about taking tums while breastfeeding (10) (11):

• Speak to your doctor if you are aware of any medical allergies that you have experienced in the past. In case you are allergic to calcium carbonate or simethicone, make sure you tell your doctor about the same.
• Sometimes, Tums can contain some inactive ingredients, such as soy, which may not always be mentioned in the ingredient list, or which you may not be aware of. If you know that you have an allergic reaction to soy, make sure to tell your doctor about it.
• Inform your doctor about any prescription or over-the-counter medications, supplements, vitamins, or herbal products you are currently taking or plan to take while using calcium carbonate.
• If you have suffered from or are currently suffering from very high levels of calcium in your body, a condition that is known as hypercalcemia, make sure you inform your doctor about it.
• If you have suffered from any blockage in the stomach or intestines, do keep your doctor informed.
• If you have ever experienced kidney stones or severe dehydration or are currently experiencing these symptoms, do speak to your doctor about it.

Tips For Managing Heartburn Or Indigestion While Breastfeeding

Heartburn and indigestion can often be managed with a few simple lifestyle adjustments. By making small changes to your eating habits and daily routine, you can reduce discomfort and focus on caring for your baby. Here are a few tips to manage the discomfort caused (12) (13):

• Adjust your eating habits by having smaller, frequent meals instead of large ones, and avoid eating within three hours of bedtime. 
• Eat slowly, chew thoroughly, and drink fluids between rather than during meals. 
• Keep track of trigger foods in a diary and avoid common culprits like spicy foods, fatty dishes, chocolate, mints, citrus, tomatoes, caffeine, carbonated drinks, and alcohol.
• For better digestion, stay upright for at least an hour after eating, and if sleeping, elevate your bed’s head by 10-15 cm and lie on your left side. 
• If you’re overweight, weight loss may help reduce symptoms.
• Consider chewing gum to neutralize acid and increase physical activity to improve gastric motility. 
• Additionally, avoid tobacco use as smoking can aggravate symptoms.

Infographic: Side Effects Of Taking Tums While Breastfeeding

Tums is an over-the-counter medication used to treat heartburn and indigestion; however, it may also pose the risk of specific side effects for nursing mothers, as suggested in this infographic. Therefore, consider taking medical advice while breastfeeding to determine if it is appropriate for you and your infant.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Tums While Breastfeeding - Everything You Should Know

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

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Dr. Dur Afshar AghaMS

Dr. Dur Afshar Agha is a consultant pediatrician with around 26 years of experience in various medical facilities both in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. She has headed the Department of Preventive Pediatrics at the prestigious, Children’s Hospital and Institute of Child Health in Pakistan and is a life member of the Pakistan Paediatric Association.

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Anindita Ghatak holds a B.Tech degree in Biotechnology from Amity University, Kolkata. During the course of her studies, she has worked on different research projects in the fields of Microbiology and Bioinformatics. Anindita has over three years of experience writing medical articles for journals.

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