Alka Seltzer

Who is Alka Seltzer for ?

Alka Seltzer is used to relieve mild to moderate pain; reduce fever, redness, and swelling; and to help prevent blood from clotting. Alka Seltzer is used to relieve discomfort caused by numerous medical problems, including headache, infections, and arthritis. Alka Seltzer also is used to reduce the risk of a second heart attack or stroke. Larger doses of Alka Seltzer are used to treat gout. Alka Seltzer is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

When should I be careful taking Alka Seltzer ?

Before taking Alka Seltzer,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Alka Seltzer, other arthritis or pain medications (e.g., ibuprofen), tartrazine dye, or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially acetazolamide (Diamox); anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin); corticosteroids such as cortisone (Cortone), dexamethasone (Decadron), hydrocortisone (Cortef), or prednisone (Deltasone); medications for diabetes, gout, or high blood pressure; methotrexate; nizatidine (Azid); valproic acid (Depakene, Depakote); and vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had anemia, diabetes, hemophilia or other bleeding problems, a history of ulcers, asthma, kidney or liver disease, gout, Hodgkin's disease, or a history of nasal polyps.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Alka Seltzer, call your doctor. Alka Seltzer and other salicylates should not be taken during the last 3 months of pregnancy or while breast-feeding.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Alka Seltzer. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking Alka Seltzer 1 week before surgery.
• tell your doctor about your use of alcohol. You should not drink alcoholic beverages while taking Alka Seltzer.

Alka Seltzer Side Effects

Although side effects from Alka Seltzer are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• upset stomach
• vomiting
• stomach pain

• ringing in the ears
• loss of hearing
• bloody or black stools
• wheezing
• difficulty breathing
• dizziness
• mental confusion
• drowsiness
• skin rash