Antacids Can Cause Bleeding

After that pepperoni pizza that gave you heartburn, you may reach for relief in the form of an antacid. But be careful: Some antacids contain aspirin, which is generally taboo for people with bleeding disorders because of the increased risk of bleeding. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a safety announcement in June, warning consumers to read antacid labels, after receiving reports of serious bleeding in some people. 

Antacids that contain aspirin include generics and trade names you may recognize, such as Alka-Seltzer Original and Bromo Seltzer. 

According to the FDA, risk factors that increase the likelihood of a bleed in the stomach or gastrointestinal tract include:

• Being older than 60
• Having a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding problems
• Taking other medicines that contain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen

Source: fda.gov