How many Tums can I take in a day? Slightly TMI.

JustSadie · January 2010

I woke up at 3 a.m. this morning sooooo sick to my stomach, but despite numerous bathroom trips nothing will come out . . . either end. It's just festering and rolling around in my stomach and I'm in agony! Usually Pepto is my go-to for this kind of thing, but I know I can't have that.

Anyway, I took 2 Tums at 3:30 and 2 more at 6:15. Do I need to stop? They're just regular strength.

sherina825 · January 2010

Aren't Tums just a step above candy?

mrsjenni · January 2010

If it's acid reflux, I recommend Zantac. It's safe and works 1000x better then Tums.

Temp9692015347082299 · January 2010

Yeah tums don't really work for me and i've been told that the calcium in them can cause stones if you take too many, too often. I have been loving the plain mylanta. Just a sip and I feel so much better!

emolee84 · January 2010

you can take more than that. when i had my thyroid removed they had me taking i think around 10 of the extra strength tums a day (might have been more i don't remember) for my calcium levels.

cml29 · January 2010

My sister in law (pregnant with her third child) said not to take more than one, because they can make you constipated.

jknigh8 · January 2010

My doctor AND pharmacist said that you can take as many Tums as you want, it's just extra calcium which is good for you. If they dont work that well then try something else, but for your actual question, go nuts and take as many as you want.

mrsjengle · January 2010

jknigh8:
My doctor AND pharmacist said that you can take as many Tums as you want, it's just extra calcium which is good for you. If they dont work that well then try something else, but for your actual question, go nuts and take as many as you want.

I second that. I got the same advice. I have chronic upset stomach for which I take Priolosec OTC everyday, but I do take Tums 750 for break through. I haven't noticed any problem with them making me constipated, and I know you can use them as a calcium suppliment. I would follow the directions on the bottle. Good luck!

Stephanie2167 · January 2010

I take 3 Tums everytime I have indigestion. I haven't noticed constipation but that is because I have it anyway.

ToBeFrank · January 2010

Tums can cause kidney stones if you take too many so I avoid them because I am not even going to put myself anywhere close to that situation.

rmaxim · January 2010

My doctor told me to take as many Tums as I want (and the calcium is good for you right now), and Zantac if the Tums don't work. I end up taking 1-2 extra strength Tums a day (lots of mild heartburn), and Zantac occasionally if it's severe.

BUT it sounds like your problem is constipation (me too!) and Tums do nothing for that. I started out just taking Colace stool softener but when even that didn't help (1 or 2 a day, 3 at worst), I started taking Metamucil "Clear" fiber (you can't taste or see it in drinks, phew) 2-3x/day and things got to be manageable.

Hope you feel better!