Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)

What is it?

Medicinally, aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3 is often used as an antacid to decrease stomach acidity and relieve "heartburn". It can causes constipation as a side effect, so it is often combined with magnesium hydroxide to counteract this effect. The hydroxide reacts with excess acid in the stomach, reducing its acidity. Aluminum hydroxide is also used as an adjuvant in vaccines. Aluminum is a naturally occurring mineral, and aluminum hydroxide is converted to aluminum oxide and used in the process of manufacturing aluminum metal. Large studies have shown that aluminum is not associated with neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease or Parkinson's Disease, as once thought.