magnesium alginate + sodium alginate at a glance
Medicine class
Alginate reflux suppressant
Usual role
Reducing infant regurgitation and gastro-oesophageal reflux
Form
Powder mixed immediately before oral administration
Important precaution
Do not combine with feed thickeners or already-thickened infant formula
What is magnesium alginate + sodium alginate used for?
The selected product is licensed for reflux affecting infants and young children.
Gastric regurgitation or bringing up feeds
Gastro-oesophageal reflux
Reflux associated with hiatus hernia
How does magnesium alginate + sodium alginate work?
The alginates react with acidic stomach contents to form a viscous gel. This thickens and stabilises stomach contents, making them less likely to flow back into the oesophagus. Its action does not depend on absorption into the bloodstream.
How to take magnesium alginate + sodium alginate
Follow the pack instructions or a healthcare professional's directions. Prepare immediately before use. For bottle-fed infants, mix it into the milk feed and shake well. For breastfed infants, mix with cooled boiled water and give partway through the feed using a spoon or feeding bottle.
Use orally only after mixing with milk or cooled boiled water.
Do not combine with another feed thickener or formula that already contains a thickening agent.
Do not use a damaged sachet.
Ask a healthcare professional before use in an infant under one year; do not use in a premature infant.
magnesium alginate + sodium alginate side effects
Common or expected effects
- No effects are classified as common in the selected SmPC.
- Very rare constipation or diarrhoea may occur. Wind and abdominal bloating have also been reported with unknown frequency.
Get urgent medical advice
- Hypersensitivity, including symptoms of a severe allergic reaction
- Intestinal obstruction or formation of a mass within the stomach
- Marked or persistent abdominal distension
magnesium alginate + sodium alginate in pregnancy
Pregnancy is not relevant to the licensed use of this infant formulation. It is not intended as a reflux treatment for a pregnant adult; adult alginate products may contain different ingredients.
magnesium alginate + sodium alginate while breastfeeding
The product can be given to a breastfed infant after preparation with cooled boiled water, following pack or healthcare professional instructions. Maternal use is a separate question, although alginates are generally considered compatible with breastfeeding because oral absorption is poor.
magnesium alginate + sodium alginate interactions
The main product-specific interaction is with other methods of thickening feeds.
Feed-thickening agents and pre-thickened infant formula
Combining them may over-thicken stomach contents and increase the risk of gastrointestinal problems.
Common questions about magnesium alginate + sodium alginate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is it used for in babies?
It is used to reduce gastric regurgitation and gastro-oesophageal reflux by stabilising and thickening stomach contents.
Can it be given to a breastfed baby?
Yes. Mix the powder with cooled boiled water and give it partway through the feed as directed.
Can it be mixed into formula milk?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.