Q: I had been using Mylanta for a few years before it was taken off the market. It worked really well for me. Can you tell me why it was taken off the market or if there will be new Mylanta on the market soon? Thank you.
A: To the best of my knowledge, Mylanta wasn’t taken off the market. However, nearly a year before you wrote, there was a recall of 12 Mylanta products and one AlternaGel product due to a labeling error. The recall was initiated by the manufacturer after an internal review found that alcohol (from flavoring) was not noted on the packaging. The amounts were very small (less than 1%) and didn’t pose any health risks to users, but the company choose to recall all products containing the inaccurate labeling.
My best guess is that this is the situation to which you are referring but I don’t know why you are still unable to locate any Mylanta products. Perhaps your store has opted to no longer carry the products due to low sales or for some other reason. I suggest you try asking your pharmacist to stock what you want or locate the particular product at another store, such as a large chain or even online.
Because I don’t know why you were taking the Mylanta I cannot offer you specific products to try as an alternative. However, I may be able to point you in some directions based on what the product is commonly used for (upset stomach, heartburn, gas, indigestion).
Upset stomach, heartburn and indigestion can all be treated with home remedies, over-the-counter drugs and prescriptions. Diet and exercise changes may also be beneficial. Home remedies include ginger pills or fresh ginger, apple cider vinegar, mustard, raw almonds, and more. Over-the-counter remedies include Tums, Pepto-Bismol and Maalox (which has the same ingredients as Mylanta). If your problem is heartburn, Tagemet, Prilosec OTC, Zantac, Pepcid may be used as a preventive and a treatment. Prescriptions include esomeprazole, omeprazole, rabeprazole, lansoprazole, and others.
Gas can be helped by diet changes, home remedies and over-the-counter medications. Home remedies include chlorophyll (which reduces the odor, not gas), baking soda, and more. There are several over-the-counters such as Beano, Pepto-Bismol and Gas-X, Maalox.
Readers who are interested in learning more can order a copy of Dr. Gott’s Health Report “Hiatal Hernia, Acid Reflux and Indigestion” by sending a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and a $2 US check or money order to Peter H. Gott, MD Health Report, PO Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form from www.AskDrGottMD.com.
