Antacids Nursing Cheat Sheet – Drug Interactions & Absorption Pharmacology Study Guide (Printable PDF)

Most nurses know aluminum constipates and magnesium loosens. Far fewer can explain why the patient’s other meds suddenly stopped working. This one-page visual connects the dots: antacids are bases that neutralize stomach acid — but that same acid is what dissolves and absorbs many oral drugs, so raising gastric pH quietly sabotages the meds the patient’s already on.

What’s inside:

• The mechanism — base neutralizes acid → acid-dependent oral meds don’t absorb
• The classic victims: levothyroxine, digoxin, tetracyclines, iron
• The timing rule that’s yours to make: separate antacids from other oral meds by 1–2 hours
• The GI split: aluminum slows the gut (constipation) vs. magnesium pulls in water (diarrhea)
• Red flag — magnesium antacids in renal failure: magnesium climbs, so watch for lost reflexes, bradycardia, hypotension → hold and call the provider
• Why this is a nursing call, not just a pharmacy one

Perfect for: nursing students, new grads, NCLEX prep, med-surg and critical care floors.

Instant PDF & PNG download — print it, slip it in your clinical binder, or save it to your phone.

For educational and study purposes only. Not medical advice or a treatment protocol.