Mylanta Dosing Interval
Mylanta (aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide) should be administered 5-6 times daily after meals and at bedtime, with a maximum of 12 teaspoonfuls (2 teaspoonfuls per dose) in 24 hours. 1
Standard Dosing Regimen
The FDA-approved dosing for aluminum hydroxide-containing antacids like Mylanta is:
- Dose: 2 teaspoonfuls per administration 1
- Frequency: 5-6 times daily 1
- Timing: After meals and at bedtime 1
- Maximum daily dose: 12 teaspoonfuls in 24 hours 1
- Duration limitation: Do not use maximum dosage for more than 2 weeks 1
Important Administration Details
- Shake well before using to ensure proper suspension of active ingredients 1
- Follow with a sip of water if needed to ensure complete delivery to the stomach 1
- The frequent dosing interval (every 2-4 hours when awake) is necessary because antacids have a relatively short duration of action 2
Clinical Context and Comparative Effectiveness
Research demonstrates that Mylanta administered every 2 hours provides inferior acid control compared to H2-receptor antagonists. In critically ill patients, Mylanta II given every 2 hours maintained gastric pH above 4 for only 39-61% of the time in different stomach regions, compared to 75-91% with famotidine 2. This highlights the limitation of frequent antacid dosing even at 2-hour intervals.
Common pitfall: The every-2-hour dosing studied in research settings 2, 3 is more frequent than the FDA-labeled 5-6 times daily dosing 1. For routine dyspepsia management, follow the FDA-approved interval; more frequent dosing may be considered in specific clinical scenarios under medical supervision but provides limited additional benefit 2.
The duration of action for aluminum/magnesium hydroxide formulations is approximately 82 minutes in the esophagus and only 26 minutes in the stomach 4, explaining why frequent dosing throughout the day is necessary for sustained symptom relief.