Can I Take This With That?

Can I Take Tums with Metoprolol?

Older studies indicate a calcium carbonate antacid might interfere with beta-blockers, but current evidence is lacking

Macy Alcido

November 20, 2024

0 Comments

republish

Medically Reviewed By: Gina Jansheski, M.D.

Gina Jansheski, M.D., is a pediatrician with 22 years of practice experience. Dr. Jansheski completed her medical education at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, followed by a pediatric residency and a one-year fellowship in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. She served as the medical director of Tucson Pediatric Hospitalists, providing pediatric hospice and palliative care services.

If you’re experiencing digestive discomfort after a spicy meal, Tums antacids might be your first line of defense. However, individuals taking beta-blockers like metoprolol (brand names include Lopressor and Toprol XL) might be worried about the potential for drug interactions. The encouraging news is that these medications are generally safe to take together when appropriate doses are used.

Continue reading to learn more about the side effects of each medication and why the findings of one small study aren’t enough to warrant worry over co-administration.

Tums and Metoprolol: Safe to Take With Minimal Interactions

Tums is a popular antacid used to treat heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach and other symptoms resulting from too much stomach acid. As a calcium carbonate (a natural chemical compound), an antacid like Tums relieves discomfort by reducing or neutralizing stomach acid. It does this by raising the pH level in your stomach, creating a less acidic environment. It also makes the digestive enzyme pepsin less active, which can further ease discomfort.

Mild side effects like constipation or diarrhea might occur with antacids formulated with other ingredients, such as calcium or magnesium. Additionally, over-the-counter antacids aren’t intended for long-term use as they can lead to problems with acid regulation, increase the risk of osteoporosis and potentially mask more serious conditions.

Metoprolol, a beta-blocker, is typically prescribed to manage high blood pressure, but can also be used to treat severe chest pain. Beta-blockers interfere with adrenaline’s impact on the body’s beta receptors—proteins that influence adrenaline—helping to slow your heartbeat and decrease blood pressure. Common side effects of metoprolol include dizziness, dry mouth, stomach pain and cold hands or feet.

While it’s important to consult a physician before taking any medications alone or simultaneously, there are no proven adverse interactions between Tums and metoprolol, according to Eric Stahl, M.D., a New York-based cardiologist at Northwell Health.

A small study from 1981 found that the concentration of atenolol, a beta-blocker similar to metoprolol, was reduced when the drug was taken in tandem with a calcium carbonate similar to Tums. However, that finding didn’t appear to greatly interfere with the beta-blocker’s effectiveness, Dr. Stahl explains.

“While the concentration of beta-blocker may have been reduced, no change was seen in the physiologic effect of the beta-blocker, as blood pressure remained similar,” clarifies Dr. Stahl. “There have not been any large population studies to further evaluate this interaction.”

To prevent any theoretical absorption issues, individuals might consider taking metoprolol and Tums at least two hours apart, says Stefanie Nigro, PharmD, an associate clinical professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Connecticut.

However, there are plenty of antacid alternatives to Tums. “Other types of acid-suppressing medications are available over the counter, including Pepcid AC and Prilosec OTC,” says Dr. Nigro. “Individuals looking for an alternative antacid should speak to their pharmacist for guidance on selection.”

Check out two more articles in our interaction series: Can I Take Benadryl With Zoloft? and Can I Take Ibuprofen With Prednisone?

Want to Share Your Story?

If you’ve experienced side effects or medication issues related to this topic, we want to hear from you.

Submit Your Story

republish this story

DISCLAIMER: MedShadow provides information and resources related to medications, their effects, and potential side effects. However, it is important to note that we are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content on our site is intended for educational and informational purposes only. Individuals dealing with medical conditions or symptoms should seek guidance from a licensed healthcare professional, such as a physician or pharmacist, who can provide personalized medical advice tailored to their specific circumstances.

While we strive to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented on MedShadow, we cannot guarantee its completeness or suitability for any particular individual’s medical needs. Therefore, we strongly encourage users to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any health-related concerns or decisions. By accessing and using MedShadow, you acknowledge and agree that the information provided on the site is not a substitute for professional medical advice and that you should always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any medical concerns.

Can I Drink Coffee While Taking Iron Supplements?

February 18, 2026

Can I Take Sudafed and DayQuil Together?

January 21, 2026

Can I Take Antibiotics and Birth Control?

DONATE:

Help fund our fight for improved medication safety and transparency by supporting our independent journalism.

Give Now

We seek to create a world where there are safer medications for all and where all people are fully informed about their medication benefits and side effects, using our explanatory and investigative journalism to both inform and stimulate public discussion to drive toward solutions.

Our Mission

MedShadow Foundation

Our Founder

Republish This Story for Free

Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

MedShadow.org is dedicated to empowering people with our evidence-based journalism about the safest ways to take over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription (Rx) medications.

We also seek to stimulate public discussion about potential improvements to drug research, manufacturing and distribution processes. and also to encourage the improvement of processes to ensure that we are all better protected.

As a result, we encourage other nonprofit newsrooms, mission-aligned outlets, and advocacy organizations to republish our original content under the following conditions:

You May Republish Our Articles for Free If:

1. We Are Credited Fully and Clearly
You must include the byline and credit MedShadow.org as the original publisher. Please include a link to the original article at the top or bottom of the piece. Use the following attribution:

This article was originally published by MedShadow, a nonprofit foundation that focuses on the safest ways to take over-the-counter and prescription medications.

2. Our Content Isn’t Edited Without Permission
You may make small changes for clarity, such as adjusting headlines, subheadings, or transitions, but you may not change the core meaning, tone, or intent of the article. For substantive edits, email us at republish@medshadow.org for review and approval.

3. You Do Not Sell Or Use Our Content Commercially
Our work is free to share, but it may not be sold, monetized, or repurposed for commercial gain. You may not republish our articles behind a paywall or in publications whose primary purpose is advertising or product promotion. You may not place drug or supplement advertising adjacent to our story.

4. Photos, Graphics, and Multimedia Are Not Used Without Permission
Only the text of the article is available for republication. Images, graphics, and videos may not be reused without explicit written permission, unless they are clearly marked as Creative Commons licensed. Contact us if you’d like to request reuse of a visual asset.

You May Not:

Use our content to promote a product, service, or political candidate
Republish only part of an article or create derivative works without permission
Add affiliate links, advertising overlays, or lead generators
Translate the article without written permission

Contact Us

If you’re unsure whether your intended use falls within these guidelines, or would like to discuss a formal syndication or licensing arrangement, please email: republish@medshadow.org

We want our journalism to reach as many people as possible, especially those making critical decisions about medications and health.

Article HTML

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>If you’re experiencing digestive discomfort after a spicy meal, <a href="https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3988e3f8-b276-43a0-bdd3-01ddd422c986&audience=consumer#" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tums</a> antacids might be your first line of defense. However, individuals taking beta-blockers like <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532923/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">metoprolol</a> (brand names include Lopressor and Toprol XL) might be worried about the potential for drug interactions. The encouraging news is that these medications are generally safe to take together when appropriate doses are used.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Continue reading to learn more about the side effects of each medication and why the findings of one small study aren’t enough to warrant worry over co-administration.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tums and Metoprolol: Safe to Take With Minimal Interactions</h2>
<!-- /wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><a href="https://reference.medscape.com/drug/tums-calcium-carbonate-341983" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tums</a> is a popular antacid used to treat heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach and other symptoms resulting from too much stomach acid. As a <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/20402-calcium-carbonate-chewable-tablets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">calcium carbonate</a> (a natural chemical <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/calcium-carbonate" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">compound</a>), an antacid like Tums relieves discomfort by reducing or neutralizing stomach acid. It does this by raising the <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8966100/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pH level in your stomach</a>, creating a less acidic environment. It also makes the digestive enzyme pepsin less active, which can further ease discomfort.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000198.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mild side effects</a> like constipation or diarrhea might occur with antacids formulated with other ingredients, such as calcium or magnesium. Additionally, over-the-counter antacids <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8966100/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aren’t intended for long-term use</a> as they can lead to problems with acid regulation, increase the risk of osteoporosis and potentially <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526049/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mask more serious conditions</a>.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/metoprolol-oral-route/description/drg-20071141" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Metoprolol</a>, a beta-blocker, is typically prescribed to manage <a href="https://medshadow.org/everything-you-need-to-know-about-blood-pressure-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">high blood pressure</a>, but can also be used to treat severe chest pain. <a href="https://www.texasheart.org/heart-health/heart-information-center/topics/beta-blockers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beta-blockers</a> interfere with adrenaline’s impact on the body’s beta receptors—proteins that influence adrenaline—helping to slow your heartbeat and decrease blood pressure. <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682864.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Common side effects</a> of metoprolol include dizziness, dry mouth, stomach pain and cold hands or feet.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>While it’s important to consult a physician before taking any medications alone or simultaneously, there are no proven adverse interactions between Tums and metoprolol, according to <a href="https://www.northwell.edu/find-care/find-a-doctor/dr-eric-stahl-md-11516318" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Stahl, M.D.</a>, a New York-based cardiologist at Northwell Health.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>A <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7236872/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">small study from 1981</a> found that the concentration of <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/atenolol-oral-route/description/drg-20071070" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atenolol</a>, a beta-blocker similar to metoprolol, was reduced when the drug was taken in tandem with a calcium carbonate similar to Tums. However, that finding didn’t appear to greatly interfere with the beta-blocker’s effectiveness, Dr. Stahl explains.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>“While the concentration of beta-blocker may have been reduced, no change was seen in the physiologic effect of the beta-blocker, as blood pressure remained similar,” clarifies Dr. Stahl. “There have not been any large population studies to further evaluate this interaction.”</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>To prevent any theoretical absorption issues, individuals might consider taking metoprolol and Tums at least two hours apart, says <a href="https://pharmacy.uconn.edu/person/stefanie-nigro/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stefanie Nigro, PharmD</a>, an associate clinical professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Connecticut.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>However, there are plenty of antacid alternatives to Tums. “Other types of acid-suppressing medications are available over the counter, including <a href="https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=2854047f-c5c4-43c3-8ef2-5c0a84a307f2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pepcid AC</a> and <a href="https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=77ed80a2-a482-4838-ac55-4865b5c31d9f" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prilosec OTC</a>,” says Dr. Nigro. “Individuals looking for an alternative antacid should speak to their pharmacist for guidance on selection.”</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Check out two more articles in our interaction series: <a href="https://medshadow.org/can-i-take-benadryl-with-zoloft/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Can I Take Benadryl With Zoloft?</a> and <a href="https://medshadow.org/can-i-take-ibuprofen-with-prednisone/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Can I Take Ibuprofen With Prednisone?</a></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

Can I Take Tums with Metoprolol?