Are Maalox and Mylanta the Same? Uses, Differences & Maalox vs Mylanta vs Gaviscon

If you are comparing antacids, you may wonder: are Maalox and Mylanta the same? The simple answer is: they are very similar in many versions, but they are not always exactly the same product. Both are commonly used for heartburn, acid indigestion, sour stomach, upset stomach, and sometimes gas or bloating, depending on the formula.

Many Maalox and Mylanta liquid products use the same general type of active ingredients: aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and simethicone. Aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide are antacids that help neutralize stomach acid, while simethicone is used for gas relief. MedlinePlus explains that aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide are used together to relieve heartburn, acid indigestion, and upset stomach by neutralizing stomach acid.

Mylanta and Maalox are similar antacid brands, but they are not automatically identical. Some versions contain the same kinds of ingredients, while others may have different strengths, added ingredients, or different formulas depending on the country and product type.

For example, one Maalox antacid liquid label lists aluminum hydroxide 200 mg, magnesium hydroxide 200 mg, and simethicone 20 mg per 5 mL. A Mylanta Maximum Strength liquid label lists aluminum hydroxide 800 mg, magnesium hydroxide 800 mg, and simethicone 80 mg per 10 mL.

So, when people ask is Maalox and Mylanta the same, the best answer is:

They may work in a very similar way, but you should compare the Drug Facts label because the dose and strength may not be the same.

Maalox is an over-the-counter antacid product used to reduce symptoms caused by excess stomach acid. Depending on the formula, it may also help with gas. The active antacid ingredients neutralize acid already present in the stomach, while simethicone helps break up gas bubbles so they may pass more easily.

So, what does Maalox do in plain English?

It may help relieve:

Heartburn
Acid indigestion
Sour stomach
Upset stomach
Bloating caused by gas
Stomach discomfort after eating or drinking too much

Drugs.com describes aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and simethicone combination products as medicines used for heartburn, acid indigestion, upset stomach, gas bloating, and stomach discomfort from overeating or drinking.

If you search Maalox what is it used for, you are usually looking for when it makes sense to take it. Maalox is generally used for short-term relief of mild digestive symptoms, especially after meals or when stomach acid causes burning discomfort.

Common uses include:

Occasional heartburn after spicy, greasy, or heavy meals
Acid indigestion after eating too much
Sour stomach or stomach burning
Gas pressure when the product contains simethicone
Mild reflux symptoms where acid rises into the chest or throat

Antacids can work quickly because they neutralize existing acid, but they do not heal an esophagus damaged by repeated acid reflux. Mayo Clinic notes that antacids may provide quick heartburn relief, but they cannot heal an esophagus damaged by stomach acid.

Mylanta is not the same brand as Maalox, but many Mylanta products are made for a similar purpose. Mylanta Maximum Strength Liquid Antacid/Anti-Gas, for example, contains aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and simethicone, which makes it similar to many Maalox-style antacid and anti-gas liquids.

The difference is usually in:

Brand name
Dose strength
Serving size
Flavor and inactive ingredients
Country-specific formula
Liquid vs chewable product type

That is why the answer to is Mylanta and Maalox the same is not a simple yes. They can be close alternatives, but you should not assume one capful, spoonful, or tablet equals the same dose as the other.

The main difference between Maalox vs Mylanta is not always the active ingredient category. In many liquid versions, both use antacid ingredients plus an anti-gas ingredient. The real difference is often the amount per dose.

For example:

This is why labels matter. Two products can look similar on the shelf but deliver different amounts of active ingredients per dose.

The comparison Maalox vs Mylanta vs Gaviscon is useful because Gaviscon works a little differently from standard antacids.

Maalox and Mylanta mainly focus on neutralizing stomach acid. When they include simethicone, they also help with gas symptoms.

Gaviscon, depending on the formula, often contains sodium alginate, which reacts with stomach acid to form a floating “raft” on top of stomach contents. The Gaviscon Peppermint Liquid Relief product information says it reacts with gastric acid to form a raft of alginic acid gel that floats on stomach contents and helps impede gastroesophageal reflux for up to four hours.

That means Gaviscon may be especially useful for reflux-style symptoms, such as acid coming back up into the throat or chest after eating. Maalox or Mylanta may be more focused on general acid indigestion, sour stomach, and gas.

Maalox, Mylanta, and Gaviscon are all intended for relatively quick symptom relief, but they do not all work in the same way.

Maalox and Mylanta neutralize acid already in the stomach.
Gaviscon may neutralize acid and also create a physical barrier, depending on the formula.
Simethicone-containing products may help with gas pressure and bloating.

For occasional heartburn after food, any of these may help. For reflux that feels like liquid or burning rising upward, Gaviscon may have an advantage because of the alginate raft effect. For sour stomach with gas and bloating, Maalox or Mylanta formulas with simethicone may be more directly matched.

Before choosing between Maalox, Mylanta, and Gaviscon, check the active ingredients. Product names can be confusing because brands often sell multiple versions.

Look for:

Aluminum hydroxide
Helps neutralize acid, but may cause constipation in some people.

Magnesium hydroxide
Helps neutralize acid, but may cause diarrhea in some people.

Simethicone
Helps with gas and bloating.

Calcium carbonate
A fast-acting antacid found in many chewable antacids and some Gaviscon formulas.

Sodium alginate
Common in Gaviscon-style reflux products; helps form a floating barrier.

Gaviscon Peppermint Liquid Relief, for example, contains sodium alginate, sodium bicarbonate, and calcium carbonate per 5 mL, which is different from the typical aluminum-magnesium-simethicone antacid combination.

Occasional use is common, but daily or frequent use should be discussed with a healthcare professional. MedlinePlus advises not taking aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide antacids for more than 1 to 2 weeks unless prescribed by a doctor.

Frequent heartburn may be a sign of GERD, which may need a different treatment plan. NIDDK says you should see a doctor if GERD symptoms do not improve with over-the-counter medicines or lifestyle changes.

Antacids can affect how your body absorbs some medicines. This is important if you take antibiotics, thyroid medication, iron, heart medicines, or other regular prescriptions.

MedlinePlus says that if your doctor tells you to take antacids while taking certain medications, you should not take them within 2 hours of an antacid. Drugs.com also warns that aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and simethicone products can make it harder for the body to absorb other medicines, especially certain antibiotics.

Gaviscon product information also recommends considering a 2-hour interval between Gaviscon and several other medicines, including tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, iron salts, thyroid hormones, beta-blockers, and other drug types.

Antacids are easy to buy, but they are still medicines. You should ask a doctor or pharmacist before using Maalox, Mylanta, or similar antacids if you have kidney disease, are on a magnesium-restricted diet, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take multiple medications. Drugs.com specifically advises asking a doctor or pharmacist before using aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and simethicone if you have kidney disease or are on a low-magnesium diet.

Gaviscon formulas may contain sodium, which can matter for people on a low-salt diet. The UK Gaviscon Peppermint Liquid Relief information notes that its sodium content should be taken into account for people on low-salt diets, including some people with heart failure or renal impairment.

Do not keep treating serious symptoms with antacids without medical advice. Seek urgent help if you have severe chest pain or pressure, especially with pain in the arm or jaw or trouble breathing. Mayo Clinic warns that chest pain can be a symptom of a heart attack and should be treated urgently when symptoms are concerning.

You should also speak with a doctor if you have trouble swallowing, pain while swallowing, unexplained weight loss, vomiting blood, black stools, frequent heartburn, or symptoms that keep returning despite over-the-counter medicine.

Choose Maalox or Mylanta if your main issue is occasional heartburn, sour stomach, acid indigestion, upset stomach, or gas, especially when the product contains simethicone.

Choose Gaviscon if your main issue feels more like acid reflux, where burning or fluid rises into your chest or throat after meals or when lying down.

The best answer to are Maalox and Mylanta the same is this:

Maalox and Mylanta are similar antacid brands, and some formulas use similar active ingredients. But they are not always exactly the same, especially in strength, dose, and product type. Gaviscon is different because many formulas use alginate to help form a reflux barrier, making it more targeted for acid reflux symptoms. Always compare the Drug Facts label and ask a pharmacist if you take other medicines or have ongoing symptoms.