What is equivalent to Mylanta? Understanding Your Antacid and Anti-Gas Options

October 12, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2018 survey by the American Gastroenterological Association, over 60 million Americans experience heartburn at least once a month. When seeking relief from heartburn and gas, many turn to familiar brands like Mylanta. Finding out what is equivalent to Mylanta, whether a generic or an alternative with different ingredients, can help you choose the right product for your specific symptoms.

Quick Summary

This guide examines direct and indirect equivalents to Mylanta for treating heartburn, acid indigestion, and gas. It compares different antacid options, including generic substitutes and alternatives like Tums and Pepcid, focusing on their active ingredients, action speed, and duration.

Key Points

Generic Equivalent: The most direct equivalent to Mylanta Maximum Strength is a generic product containing aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and simethicone.
Symptom-Specific Alternatives: For isolated heartburn, alternatives like Tums (calcium carbonate) work quickly, while for gas and bloating, a product containing only simethicone like Gas-X is effective.
Long-Term Relief: For frequent or chronic heartburn, H2 blockers (e.g., Pepcid AC) or Proton Pump Inhibitors (e.g., Prilosec OTC) offer longer-lasting acid reduction compared to Mylanta's fast-acting antacid effect.
Consider Side Effects: Be mindful of Mylanta's potential side effects—magnesium can cause diarrhea and aluminum can cause constipation—which can be a deciding factor when choosing an alternative.
Consult a Doctor: Individuals with kidney problems, pregnant women, or those taking other medications should consult a healthcare provider, as some Mylanta ingredients and alternatives may not be suitable.

Mylanta's Multi-Symptom Formula

To understand what is equivalent to Mylanta, it's essential to know its active ingredients. The classic liquid Mylanta is a combination product designed for multi-symptom relief. It contains two primary antacids and one anti-gas agent:

Aluminum Hydroxide: This antacid neutralizes stomach acid to relieve heartburn and indigestion. However, it is also known to cause constipation.
Magnesium Hydroxide: Another antacid that works quickly to neutralize stomach acid. Magnesium is known for its laxative effect, which counterbalances the constipating effect of aluminum hydroxide.
Simethicone: This anti-gas agent works by breaking down gas bubbles trapped in the digestive tract, relieving pressure, bloating, and discomfort.

This specific combination allows Mylanta to address both acid and gas-related discomfort quickly. Its effects are fast-acting, typically occurring within minutes, but they are also relatively short-lived, lasting about an hour.

Direct Equivalents and Similar Antacids

For a direct equivalent to Mylanta, look for store-brand or generic formulations containing the same three active ingredients: aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and simethicone. These products offer an identical mechanism of action for potentially less cost.

Generic Aluminum Hydroxide/Magnesium Hydroxide/Simethicone

Many pharmacies sell their own versions of this combination product. Checking the 'Drug Facts' label is the most reliable way to find a true equivalent. These generic versions are available in liquid and sometimes chewable tablet forms, just like Mylanta.

Maalox

Maalox was historically very similar to Mylanta, containing aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide. Some versions also included simethicone. While the original Maalox brand may no longer be on the market, some generic products are still referred to as 'Maalox' equivalents. The key is to check the specific active ingredients on the label, as not all 'Maalox' generics are identical to Mylanta's formula.

Alternatives with Different Ingredients or Mechanisms

If you prefer to avoid Mylanta's specific ingredients or need different symptom coverage, several alternatives are available. These may not be a direct equivalent but can be effective depending on your needs.

For Heartburn and Indigestion

Tums (Calcium Carbonate): A popular, fast-acting chewable antacid that neutralizes stomach acid. It provides a calcium supplement but does not contain an anti-gas agent.
Rolaids (Calcium Carbonate/Magnesium Hydroxide): Another chewable antacid with a different combination of acid-neutralizing agents.
Milk of Magnesia (Magnesium Hydroxide): This liquid is a simple and effective antacid, but its magnesium content can cause diarrhea if used frequently.
Gaviscon (Aluminum Hydroxide/Magnesium Carbonate): Gaviscon's unique formulation creates a foam barrier that floats on top of stomach acid, providing longer-lasting relief by preventing reflux.
Pepto-Bismol (Bismuth Subsalicylate): While it treats upset stomach, it is also effective for diarrhea, a key difference from Mylanta.

For Gas Only

Gas-X or Phazyme (Simethicone): These products isolate Mylanta's anti-gas ingredient, simethicone, for targeted relief of bloating and gas pressure.

For Frequent Heartburn

Pepcid AC (Famotidine): An H2 blocker that reduces stomach acid production. It works slower than Mylanta's antacids (within an hour) but provides longer relief (up to 12 hours), making it suitable for frequent heartburn.
Prilosec OTC (Omeprazole): A Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) that drastically reduces stomach acid production over a 14-day course. It is not for immediate relief but is effective for chronic heartburn.

Comparison of Mylanta and Popular Alternatives


Feature	Mylanta (Max Strength)	Generic Equivalent	Tums (Calcium Carbonate)	Pepcid AC (Famotidine)	Gas-X (Simethicone)
Active Ingredients	Al Hydroxide, Mg Hydroxide, Simethicone	Al Hydroxide, Mg Hydroxide, Simethicone	Calcium Carbonate	Famotidine	Simethicone
Action	Neutralizes acid, breaks up gas bubbles	Neutralizes acid, breaks up gas bubbles	Neutralizes acid	Reduces acid production	Breaks up gas bubbles
Onset	Fast (minutes)	Fast (minutes)	Fast (minutes)	Slower (within an hour)	Fast (minutes)
Duration	Short-term (approx. 1 hour for antacid effect)	Short-term (approx. 1 hour)	Short-term	Long-term (up to 12 hours)	Short-term
Main Side Effects	Diarrhea (Mg), Constipation (Al)	Diarrhea (Mg), Constipation (Al)	Constipation, gas	Headache, dizziness	Belching, flatulence
Best For	Multi-symptom relief (acid and gas)	Multi-symptom relief	Fast heartburn relief, calcium boost	Frequent heartburn	Gas and bloating relief

Making an Informed Choice

Choosing a Mylanta equivalent or alternative requires understanding your specific symptoms and considering different factors. If you need multi-symptom relief (heartburn and gas) and prefer a liquid or chewable tablet format, a generic version is a direct equivalent. For isolated heartburn, a simpler antacid like Tums might suffice. For persistent, frequent heartburn, a longer-acting medication like Pepcid AC or Prilosec OTC may be more appropriate. Always read the label and consult a healthcare provider before starting any new medication, especially if you have underlying health conditions like kidney disease or are taking other medications.

Conclusion

While no single product is a perfect match for every user's needs, several effective alternatives can replace Mylanta. Direct generic equivalents contain the same active ingredients (aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and simethicone) and provide multi-symptom relief from heartburn and gas. For those with specific concerns or different primary symptoms, other antacids like Tums, Rolaids, or Gaviscon, or even longer-acting H2 blockers like Pepcid AC, offer distinct advantages. By considering the onset of action, duration, and side effect profile of each option, you can find a suitable replacement for Mylanta that effectively manages your digestive discomfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Maalox and Mylanta are not identical, though they are very similar. Mylanta Maximum Strength contains aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and simethicone, while some versions of Maalox have slightly different formulations or may lack simethicone. Maalox has also been discontinued under its brand name, so any current product is a generic version.

The 'better' option depends on your symptoms. Tums provides faster relief solely for heartburn by neutralizing acid with calcium carbonate. Mylanta, containing a combination of antacids and simethicone, is a better choice if you also need relief from gas and bloating.

Pepcid AC (famotidine) is an alternative, but not an equivalent, to Mylanta. It is an H2 blocker that works differently by reducing acid production over a longer period (up to 12 hours), but it takes longer to start working. Mylanta provides immediate, but shorter-term, acid neutralization.

Yes, many store brands offer generic versions containing the same active ingredients as Mylanta: aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and simethicone. Check the 'Drug Facts' label to ensure the ingredients match.

Mylanta is generally not recommended during pregnancy due to its aluminum and magnesium content. Antacids containing only calcium carbonate, like Tums, are often considered a safer choice for pregnancy-related heartburn, but a doctor should always be consulted.

While both treat heartburn, Gaviscon works differently. It forms a foam barrier in the stomach to prevent acid from backing up into the esophagus, offering a protective coating effect in addition to its antacid properties.

For combined heartburn and gas relief, a generic version containing the same active ingredients as Mylanta (aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and simethicone) is the best equivalent. This combination specifically targets both issues at once.