Can I take Tums if I take Lisinopril? A guide to managing heartburn safely

October 12, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Drugs.com, the interaction between calcium carbonate (Tums) and Lisinopril is considered minor, primarily affecting absorption rather than causing a major clinical reaction. However, careful timing is essential to ensure your blood pressure medication remains effective, making it vital to understand the answer to the question: Can I take Tums if I take Lisinopril? (Spoiler: Yes, but with precautions).

Quick Summary

The antacid Tums can decrease the absorption of Lisinopril, potentially reducing its effectiveness. This can be prevented by spacing out the doses by several hours. The interaction becomes more complex if the patient also takes a diuretic. Proper timing and considering alternative heartburn relief options are key to avoiding any adverse effects.

Key Points

Spaced Doses: If taking Lisinopril and Tums, separate the doses by at least 2 to 4 hours to prevent the antacid from decreasing Lisinopril's absorption.
Lisinopril-HCTZ Warning: For those on a combination Lisinopril-hydrochlorothiazide medication, taking Tums increases the risk of high blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia), a moderate interaction requiring doctor oversight.
Consider Alternatives: For regular heartburn relief, H2 blockers (like famotidine) and PPIs (like omeprazole) are generally safer alternatives with minimal interaction risks with Lisinopril.
Consult a Doctor: Always talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking any new over-the-counter medication with a prescription drug like Lisinopril.
Avoid Other Interactions: When taking Lisinopril, be mindful of other interactions, such as avoiding high-potassium supplements and NSAIDs like ibuprofen.
Prioritize Prescription: Never stop or change the timing of your Lisinopril without consulting a doctor, as it could have serious consequences for your blood pressure.

Understanding Lisinopril and Tums

Before exploring the interaction, it's helpful to understand what each medication does. Lisinopril is an Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitor prescribed to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, and improve survival after a heart attack. It works by relaxing blood vessels and decreasing fluid volume, which lowers blood pressure.

On the other hand, Tums is a common over-the-counter antacid, with its active ingredient being calcium carbonate. It provides quick relief for heartburn and indigestion by neutralizing stomach acid. Calcium carbonate can also be used as a calcium supplement.

The Potential Interaction: Why Timing Matters

The direct interaction between Lisinopril and Tums is not typically severe but can reduce the effectiveness of your blood pressure medication. The core issue lies in Tums' ability to affect the gastrointestinal tract:

Decreased Absorption: Antacids like Tums can increase the pH level in your stomach. Some studies on captopril, another ACE inhibitor, have shown that antacids can reduce the bioavailability (the rate and extent to which a drug is absorbed) of the medication by up to 50%. Lisinopril is also a sensitive medication, and this change in absorption can make it less effective at controlling your blood pressure.
Delayed Gastric Emptying: The presence of calcium carbonate can also delay the rate at which food and medications empty from the stomach, further affecting absorption.

The clinical significance of this interaction is generally considered minor, but precautions are necessary to ensure your Lisinopril dose is as effective as possible.

The Importance of Separation

To circumvent this absorption issue, medical professionals recommend separating the administration of the two drugs. Some sources suggest a 1 to 2-hour window, while others recommend up to 4 hours to be safe. A conservative and safe approach is to wait at least 2 to 4 hours between taking your Lisinopril and Tums. This gives the Lisinopril enough time to be absorbed before the stomach's pH is altered by the antacid.

A More Significant Risk with Lisinopril-HCTZ

For some patients, the situation is more complex. If you are taking a combination medication that includes both Lisinopril and a thiazide diuretic, such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), the interaction with Tums changes from minor to moderate.

This is because thiazide diuretics reduce the amount of calcium your body excretes, potentially leading to an increase in blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia). When you combine this with the calcium in Tums, the risk of your calcium levels becoming too high increases significantly. Hypercalcemia can cause symptoms like dizziness, weakness, lethargy, nausea, and in severe cases, seizures.

If you take this combination medication, it is even more critical to consult your healthcare provider before taking Tums.

Safer Heartburn Alternatives for Lisinopril Users

If heartburn is a frequent issue, relying on Tums might not be the best long-term solution due to the risk of interference. Thankfully, other options exist that are less likely to interact with Lisinopril.

H2 Blockers: Medications like famotidine (Pepcid AC) work differently than antacids by reducing the amount of acid your stomach produces. Drugs.com lists no known interactions between Pepcid and Lisinopril, making it a safer option for concurrent use.
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): For chronic or more severe heartburn, PPIs such as omeprazole (Prilosec) or lansoprazole (Prevacid) are a stronger option. They work by blocking the stomach's acid production. Like H2 blockers, they typically have no significant interactions with Lisinopril.

Comparison of Heartburn Relief Options with Lisinopril


Feature	Tums (Calcium Carbonate)	H2 Blockers (e.g., Famotidine)	PPIs (e.g., Omeprazole)
Mechanism	Neutralizes existing stomach acid.	Reduces the amount of acid the stomach produces.	Blocks the enzyme that produces stomach acid.
Speed of Relief	Fast-acting (minutes).	Slower than antacids (30-60 minutes).	Slower onset than H2 blockers (several days for full effect).
Duration of Effect	Short-lived (1-3 hours).	Longer-lasting than antacids (up to 12 hours).	Longest duration (up to 24 hours).
Lisinopril Interaction	Minor, but requires a 2-4 hour dosing separation to avoid reduced absorption.	Minimal to no significant interaction reported.	Minimal to no significant interaction reported.
Lisinopril-HCTZ Interaction	Moderate risk of hypercalcemia, requires careful monitoring and doctor consultation.	Minimal to no significant interaction reported.	Minimal to no significant interaction reported.
Ideal Use Case	Occasional, on-demand relief with careful timing.	Frequent heartburn relief.	Chronic, persistent heartburn relief.

Additional Precautions While on Lisinopril

Beyond Tums, it's wise to be aware of other potential interactions when taking Lisinopril. Key things to remember include:

Potassium: Lisinopril can increase blood potassium levels. Avoid salt substitutes that contain potassium, as well as excess intake of potassium-rich foods (e.g., bananas, oranges) and supplements, unless advised by your doctor.
NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can make Lisinopril less effective and increase the risk of kidney problems, especially in older adults or those with pre-existing kidney issues.
Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption can have an additive effect in lowering blood pressure, potentially causing dizziness and fainting.

Conclusion

In summary, while you can take Tums if you take Lisinopril, it's crucial to do so with caution. The primary concern is that Tums can decrease the absorption of Lisinopril, reducing its effectiveness. This risk can be mitigated by separating your doses by at least 2 to 4 hours. The interaction is more serious if your prescription includes a thiazide diuretic, as combining it with Tums raises the risk of high blood calcium levels. For individuals with frequent heartburn, safer and more effective alternatives like H2 blockers (e.g., famotidine) or PPIs (e.g., omeprazole) are often a better choice. The most important step before combining any medications is to consult your doctor or pharmacist to ensure it is safe for your specific health needs.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before taking any medication or making changes to your treatment plan.

Medical News Today provides additional information on Lisinopril interactions for further reading.

Frequently Asked Questions

You should wait at least 2 to 4 hours between taking your Lisinopril and taking Tums. This timing allows your body to fully absorb the Lisinopril before the antacid affects your stomach's pH and slows its absorption.

While it is not usually dangerous in the same way as a major drug interaction, taking them at the same time is not recommended. It can significantly reduce the amount of Lisinopril your body absorbs, making your blood pressure medication less effective.

If you take a combination medication with Lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), there is a moderate risk of developing high blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia) from taking calcium carbonate (Tums). This combination requires monitoring and doctor supervision.

Safer alternatives for managing heartburn while on Lisinopril include H2 blockers like famotidine (Pepcid AC) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole (Prilosec), as they do not have significant interactions.

Yes, standard oral calcium supplements generally do not interact with Lisinopril alone. However, if you are also taking a thiazide diuretic, you should discuss the appropriate dosage and have your calcium levels monitored by a doctor.

One instance of taking them together is unlikely to cause serious harm, but it may temporarily reduce the effectiveness of your Lisinopril dose. Continue with your normal schedule for both medications, ensuring you follow the spaced-dosing rule from now on. If you have concerns, contact your doctor.

Yes. You should also avoid excessive use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, and be cautious with potassium supplements and salt substitutes, as Lisinopril can increase potassium levels.