Ulgicid Suspension 200 mL Cherry Flavour is a trusted, over-the-counter (OTC) antacid suspension combining two well-established and complementary antacid agents — aluminium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide — in a pleasant cherry-flavoured liquid formulation. The suspension format delivers fast, direct neutralisation of excess stomach acid, providing rapid relief from the burning discomfort of heartburn, acid indigestion, sour stomach, and gastric upset.
The combination of aluminium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide in a single formulation is a deliberately balanced antacid strategy — the two agents counteract each other’s main gastrointestinal side effects, with magnesium hydroxide’s mild laxative tendency offsetting the constipating effect of aluminium hydroxide, resulting in a product that is well tolerated by the majority of patients. If you are looking to buy Ulgicid Suspension in Kenya, this product is widely available at registered pharmacies nationwide and is one of the most practical and affordable options for heartburn and acid indigestion treatment in Kenya. The price of Ulgicid Antacid Suspension in Kenya is highly accessible, making it a popular first-line choice for symptomatic gastric acid relief.
Key Benefits
- Dual antacid formula — aluminium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide work together to rapidly and effectively neutralise excess stomach acid
- Fast-acting liquid suspension — onset of antacid action typically within minutes of ingestion, faster than solid antacid tablets
- Balanced gastrointestinal tolerability — the combination minimises both the constipating effect of aluminium hydroxide and the laxative effect of magnesium hydroxide
- Pleasant cherry flavour — improves palatability and compliance, particularly in patients feeling unwell
- Coats and soothes the gastric lining — the suspension format provides a physical coating action on the gastric mucosa, adding a protective layer that helps relieve irritation
- Suitable for adults and children aged 12 years and above at standard doses
- Generous 200 mL bottle — provides multiple doses for ongoing symptomatic management
- OTC — no prescription required for standard adult use
- Accessible and affordable — widely available at registered pharmacies across Kenya
What It Is & How It Works
Active Ingredients
Each 10 mL of suspension contains:
| Active Ingredient | Strength per 10 mL | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium Hydroxide | 400 mg | Antacid — neutralises excess stomach acid and coats the gastric lining |
| Magnesium Hydroxide | 400 mg | Antacid — neutralises stomach acid and provides mild laxative buffering |
How Each Ingredient Works
Aluminium Hydroxide
Aluminium hydroxide is a weak base that reacts directly with hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach in a neutralisation reaction, converting the highly acidic gastric contents to aluminium chloride and water. This raises the gastric pH from its highly acidic resting level, reducing the concentration of free acid in the stomach and relieving the burning sensation of heartburn and acid irritation. Aluminium hydroxide also has a mild astringent and mucosal coating effect — it forms a viscous gel layer on the gastric mucosa that provides a physical protective barrier against further acid irritation.
Magnesium Hydroxide
Magnesium hydroxide — also known as milk of magnesia — is a highly effective and fast-acting antacid that reacts rapidly with gastric hydrochloric acid to form magnesium chloride and water, quickly raising gastric pH and neutralising acid. Its neutralising capacity is higher than that of aluminium hydroxide on a weight-for-weight basis, contributing significantly to the rapid antacid effect of the combination. At standard antacid doses, magnesium hydroxide also exerts a mild osmotic laxative effect by drawing water into the intestinal lumen — an effect that usefully counterbalances the constipating tendency of aluminium hydroxide in the combination formulation.
The Clinical Rationale for Combining Both Agents
The combination of aluminium and magnesium hydroxides has been the cornerstone of antacid therapy for decades precisely because it combines the strengths of both agents while minimising their individual gastrointestinal side effects. Aluminium hydroxide alone tends to cause constipation; magnesium hydroxide alone tends to cause loose stools or diarrhoea. Together in balanced proportions, as in Ulgicid Suspension, the two agents produce superior and more sustained antacid efficacy with a gastrointestinal side effect profile that is well tolerated by most patients.
Classification
This product is classified as an Over-the-Counter (OTC) medicine in Kenya. It can be purchased without a prescription for standard symptomatic use in adults and children aged 12 years and above. Consult a pharmacist or doctor if you are unsure whether this product is suitable for you or if symptoms are frequent or severe.
Formulation
Oral suspension. Each bottle contains 200 mL of cherry-flavoured antacid suspension. Shake well before each use to ensure uniform distribution of the active ingredients. Measure doses using the provided measuring cup or a calibrated oral syringe.
Uses & Indications
Ulgicid Suspension may be used for the symptomatic relief of:
- Heartburn — the burning sensation in the chest and throat caused by gastric acid reflux into the oesophagus
- Acid indigestion — discomfort, burning, and bloating in the upper stomach associated with excess gastric acid production
- Sour stomach — a feeling of acidity, fullness, or nausea related to excess acid
- Upset stomach associated with dietary overindulgence — including overeating, fatty or spicy meals, and excessive alcohol consumption
- Gastric discomfort associated with NSAIDs or aspirin use — antacids can help buffer the gastric irritation caused by anti-inflammatory medicines
- Dyspepsia (functional indigestion) — upper abdominal discomfort, bloating, and burning without an identified structural cause
- Flatulence and bloating — some formulations contain simethicone for additional gas relief; check label
IMPORTANT: Ulgicid Suspension is intended for the symptomatic relief of occasional heartburn and acid indigestion. It is NOT intended for the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD/GERD), peptic ulcer disease, Helicobacter pylori infection, or other chronic acid-related conditions — all of which require medical diagnosis and appropriate prescription treatment. Frequent or severe heartburn occurring more than twice a week may indicate a more serious underlying condition and warrants medical evaluation.
Dosage & Administration
NOTE: Use only as directed on the label or by a pharmacist. Do not exceed the recommended dose or duration of use. Shake well before each use.
| Age Group | Dose | Frequency | Maximum Daily Dose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults and children 12+ years | As directed | As directed | As directed |
| Children under 12 years | Consult a pharmacist or doctor before use | — | — |
| Elderly patients | As directed | As needed | As directed |
| Patients with renal impairment | Consult a doctor before use — see Warnings | As directed | As directed |
Administration Instructions
- Shake the bottle thoroughly before each use — active ingredients may settle and uneven distribution will result in inaccurate dosing if not shaken
- Measure each dose carefully using the provided measuring cup or a calibrated oral syringe — do not estimate doses directly from the bottle
- Take 20–60 minutes after meals and at bedtime for best antacid efficacy — postprandial dosing aligns with the peak period of gastric acid secretion stimulated by food
- May also be taken at the onset of symptoms for immediate relief
- Do not take more than 4 doses in any 24-hour period
- Do not use continuously for more than 2 weeks without consulting a healthcare provider
- Drink a glass of water after taking the suspension to help rinse the active ingredients through to the stomach
- If taking other medicines, allow at least 2 hours before or after taking Ulgicid Suspension — antacids can significantly alter the absorption of many other drugs
Possible Side Effects
Like all medicines, Ulgicid Suspension may cause side effects in some people. These are generally mild and uncommon at recommended doses. Stop use and consult your pharmacist or doctor if you experience any of the following:
Common
- Constipation — related to the aluminium hydroxide component; usually mild and offset by the magnesium component; ensure adequate fluid and dietary fibre intake
- Loose stools or mild diarrhoea — related to the magnesium hydroxide component; usually mild and transient
- Chalky or altered taste — mild and transient; the cherry flavour helps minimise this
Less Common
- Nausea — usually mild and transient
- Belching or flatulence — mild gas release may occur during acid neutralisation
- Hypophosphataemia (low phosphate levels) — with prolonged or excessive use; aluminium hydroxide binds phosphate in the gut, reducing its absorption; symptoms include muscle weakness and bone pain
- Hypermagnesaemia (elevated magnesium levels) — with prolonged excessive use, particularly in patients with kidney disease; symptoms include muscle weakness, low blood pressure, and bradycardia
WARNING: Rare but serious — seek immediate medical attention if you experience: signs of aluminium toxicity with prolonged or very high-dose use (bone pain, muscle weakness, confusion — particularly in patients with kidney disease), signs of significant hypermagnesaemia (profound muscle weakness, very slow heart rate, or difficulty breathing — primarily a risk in patients with renal impairment), or severe allergic reactions to any component of this formulation (rash, swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing).
This is not a complete list of side effects. Consult a pharmacist or doctor for full information.
Warnings & Precautions
CONTRAINDICATION: Do NOT use Ulgicid Suspension if you have known hypersensitivity to aluminium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, or any excipient in this formulation. Do NOT use in patients with severe kidney disease without medical advice — both aluminium and magnesium may accumulate to toxic levels in renal impairment.
Do Not Use If You:
- Have severe kidney disease or are on dialysis — aluminium and magnesium accumulate significantly in renal impairment, leading to aluminium toxicity (encephalopathy, osteomalacia) and hypermagnesaemia (cardiac and neuromuscular toxicity)
- Are allergic to any ingredient in this formulation
- Have low blood phosphate levels (hypophosphataemia) — aluminium hydroxide further reduces phosphate absorption
Use With Caution If You Have:
- Mild to moderate renal impairment — use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration; monitor aluminium and magnesium levels with prolonged use; consult a doctor
- Chronic constipation or bowel conditions — aluminium hydroxide may worsen constipation
- A low-phosphate diet or malnutrition — prolonged antacid use may worsen phosphate depletion
- Heart disease — avoid excess magnesium intake in patients with cardiac conduction abnormalities
- Elderly patients — at higher risk of both constipation from aluminium and magnesium accumulation from reduced renal clearance
Drug Interactions — Antacids Are Notorious for Reducing Drug Absorption:
- Allow at least 2 hours separation between Ulgicid Suspension and the following medicines to avoid significant reduction in their absorption and efficacy:
- Antibiotics — particularly tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin), and azithromycin; aluminium and magnesium ions chelate these antibiotics and dramatically reduce their oral bioavailability
- Iron supplements — antacids significantly reduce oral iron absorption; separate doses by at least 2 hours
- Thyroid replacement therapy (levothyroxine) — antacids reduce levothyroxine absorption; separate by at least 4 hours
- Bisphosphonates (alendronate) — antacids impair absorption; separate by at least 2 hours
- HIV antiretrovirals (atazanavir, rilpivirine) — antacids reduce absorption significantly
- Digoxin — antacids reduce digoxin absorption; monitor digoxin levels
- Ketoconazole and itraconazole — require an acidic stomach for absorption; antacids reduce their bioavailability substantially
- Phenytoin and other anticonvulsants — separate doses appropriately
- Any other prescription medicines — consult a pharmacist for a full interaction review before using Ulgicid alongside other medicines
CLINICAL NOTE (Kenya-specific): Heartburn, acid indigestion, and dyspepsia are among the most frequently reported gastrointestinal complaints in Kenya, significantly driven by dietary patterns — including high consumption of spicy foods, deep-fried dishes, strong tea, and fermented beverages — as well as the widespread use of NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and diclofenac for pain management, both of which are significant contributors to gastric acid irritation. Ulgicid Suspension is a practical, affordable, and rapidly effective option for symptomatic relief in this context. However, clinicians and pharmacists in Kenya should be vigilant about two important local considerations. First, Helicobacter pylori infection — a major cause of peptic ulcer disease and chronic dyspepsia — has a high prevalence in Kenya estimated at over 60% of the adult population; patients with frequent or recurrent indigestion symptoms should be evaluated for H. pylori and treated appropriately with prescription eradication therapy rather than relying on long-term antacid use. Second, the drug interaction profile of antacids is critically important in Kenya given the high burden of HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria — patients taking antiretroviral therapy, anti-tuberculosis medicines, or antimalarials must be counselled on the minimum 2-hour separation required between antacid use and these critical medicines to avoid treatment failure.
Keep out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, contact a poison control centre or emergency services immediately.
Storage Instructions
- Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place
- Protect from direct sunlight and excessive heat
- Keep away from freezing temperatures — do not freeze; freezing alters the suspension consistency and active ingredient distribution
- Keep the bottle tightly closed after each use
- Store out of reach and sight of children
- Do not use after the expiry date printed on the bottle or carton
- Do not transfer the suspension to another container
- Dispose of unused or expired suspension safely at your local registered pharmacy
Mandatory Disclaimer
Always read the label and use as directed. Shake well before use. Do not exceed the stated dose. If your heartburn or acid indigestion symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, occur more than twice a week, worsen, or are accompanied by difficulty swallowing, persistent vomiting, unexplained weight loss, or blood in stool, stop use and consult a healthcare professional immediately. Frequent heartburn may indicate a more serious underlying condition such as peptic ulcer disease or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease that requires proper medical diagnosis and treatment. This product information is provided for general guidance only and does not replace professional medical or pharmaceutical advice.
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