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TUMS FAQ

Get answers to your TUMS questions.

Would you like to know more about TUMS antacid? Here are answers to frequently asked
 questions (FAQs) about our product.

Click on the topic links below to jump to the section
 that interests you, or just browse the information on this page.

General

  • What is TUMS?

    TUMS is an antacid made of calcium carbonate. It is available over-the-counter at many retail stores, including drug stores, grocery stores and mass merchandisers. It provides relief from acid indigestion, heartburn and sour stomach.

  • Can TUMS be used in conjunction with other medication?

    Do not take TUMS® antacid within 2 hours of another medicine because the effectiveness of the medicine may be altered.

    Ask your doctor or pharmacist before use if you are taking any other medicines as calcium may affect the absorption of other medicines.

Contents of TUMS® Tablets

  • What is the calcium carbonate source of TUMS® antacid and where does it come from?

    TUMS® tablets contain calcium carbonate USP. The calcium carbonate in TUMS® antacid is obtained from limestone via a chemical process, which produces a high degree of purity. Our calcium carbonate is 99.5% pure and does not contain bone meal or oyster shell.

  • How much elemental calcium is there within each TUMS tablet?

    Each: Regular Strength TUMS® antacid contain 200 mg of elemental calcium.

    Each: Extra Strength TUMS® antacid contain 300 mg of elemental calcium. Extra Strength includes TUMS Smoothies®.

    Each: Ultra Strength TUMS® antacid contain 400 mg of elemental calcium.

    Each: TUMS® Freshers antacid contain 200 mg of elemental calcium.

  • How many carbohydrates are in TUMS antacid?

    The amount of carbohydrates in a TUMS® tablet depends upon the strength of the tablet. Following are the various strengths of TUMS® antacid and their corresponding carbohydrate contents (per tablet):

    Regular Strength: 747 mg

    Extra Strength: 1110 mg

    Ultra Strength: 1494 mg

    Extra Strength Smoothies: 540 mg

  • Does TUMS antacid contain gluten?

    Although we do not use gluten as a filler in TUMS® antacid, there may be trace amounts of gluten in the tablets via ingredients that are supplied by outside vendors.

  • Does TUMS contain animal derivatives?

    TUMS Tropical Fruit, TUMS Assorted Berries and TUMS Smoothies may contain animal derived ingredients.

  • Does TUMS antacid contain aluminum?

    GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare does not add aluminum during the manufacturing process of the TUMS® antacid tablets but one of the raw materials used in TUMS® does contain negligible amounts of aluminum, measured as parts per million (ppm), ranging approximately from 100 to 500 ppm.

  • Can TUMS antacid be taken by people who cannot tolerate dairy products?

    Yes, with a few exceptions.*

    The flavouring in the orange tablets in TUMS Smoothies Assorted Fruit antacid (US only) contain dairy.

    *If someone's milk allergies are very serious or life-threatening, any flavour can be put on any manufacturing line. The bins that hold the tablets are also used interchangeably. Although we have cleaning procedures in place, we cannot guarantee some small trace of the flavours would not be present in the other products. Also TUMS Smoothies antacid may contain milk.

TUMS Packaging

  • What flavours do the assorted packs of TUMS® antacid contain?

    Assorted Fruit: Lemon, Lime, Orange and Cherry
    Assorted Tropical Fruit: Mandarin Orange, Tropical Punch, Strawberry, Banana and Orange Pineapple
    Assorted Mint: Peppermint and Wintergreen
    Assorted Berries: Strawberry, Raspberry and Mixed Berry

  • Are TUMS bottles recyclable?

    TUMS® bottles and caps are made from plastic. Please check to see if this is recyclable in your local neighbourhood. TUMS® rolls packaging is made from foil and paper that can be disposed of with regular household waste.

Heartburn

  • How does TUMS® antacid work to provide relief from acid indigestion and heartburn?

    Antacids, such as TUMS®, have a direct and local effect on acid in the esophagus and stomach. TUMS® antacid reacts upon contact with the acid and neutralizes it. Heartburn pain results from regurgitation of stomach contents into the esophagus. When the acid is neutralized, this important factor causing the irritation is removed and heartburn is relieved.

  • What are symptoms of heartburn?

    Heartburn is a burning feeling rising from the stomach to the chest and up to the neck. Symptoms may include a sense of fullness in the middle of the chest and a bitter taste in the mouth or throat. Sometimes heartburn may bring on chest pain that can be mistaken for the pain of heart disease, but it is important to note that heartburn is not related to the heart at all. If you are concerned about this pain, consult your doctor.

  • Are certain foods more likely to cause heartburn?

    Different foods may cause heartburn for different reasons. Some cause the stomach to produce extra acid and some cause the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach to loosen, allowing stomach acid to enter the esophagus. Consuming fatty, greasy or spicy foods, alcohol, tomato products, peppermint, spearmint, citrus fruits and juices, caffeinated products, chocolate, milk, onion, and pepper can result in heartburn in some people. Some medications can also cause heartburn.

  • Is heartburn only triggered by eating certain foods?

    No, heartburn may be caused by weakness of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Certain conditions can trigger heartburn, such as hiatal hernia, excessive acid production, obesity and pregnancy.

Should you be taking TUMS®?

Miscellaneous