Most antacids deliver 0–10 calories per dose; the numbers that matter are calcium or sodium amounts listed on the Drug Facts label.
Calories
Typical
Higher
Chewable Tablets
- Elemental calcium listed per tab
- Many sugar-free lines
- Low sodium on panel
Zero to low kcal
Liquid Dose
- Magnesium/aluminum in mg
- Sweetener type drives kcal
- 10–20 mL per use
Soothing coat
Effervescent
- Sodium shown per dose
- Fast mix and sip
- Daily caps on label
Watch sodium
What The Label Tells You About Antacid Nutrients
That slim panel on the package is your map. The Drug Facts label lists actives, per-dose amounts, and other info that shapes a small nutrition footprint. You’ll also see minerals that matter to your day: elemental calcium for chewables, magnesium or aluminum for liquid blends, and sodium for effervescent products.
Start by scanning serving size and the active ingredient line. Two common patterns show up again and again: calcium carbonate chewables and aluminum/magnesium hydroxide liquids. Both relieve acid fast, but their “nutrition” profile looks different. One leans on calcium; the other adds no calcium but may include sweeteners. If you want a primer on how to read that panel, the Drug Facts label shows the same layout across OTC products.
| Form | Label Numbers To Check | Extra Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Chewable Tablets | Elemental calcium per tablet; sugars; serving size | Many sugar-free lines post 0 kcal; flavored chews may add 5–10 kcal per 2 tabs. |
| Liquid Dose | Magnesium/aluminum per 10–20 mL; sweetener type | Some liquids include sucrose or sorbitol; calories vary by brand and flavor. |
| Effervescent/Sodium Bicarbonate | Sodium per tablet or packet; maximum daily dose | Watch total sodium if you track blood pressure or follow a sodium-limited plan. |
Antacid Label Nutrition Details — What Counts Most
People reach for these products to settle a sour burn, not for fuel. Even so, the small numbers on the label can add up if you dose several times in a day. Here’s how to read those numbers with purpose.
Calories: Where Small Differences Come From
Plain calcium carbonate tablets tend to be lean. Many sugar-free lines list 0 kcal, while classic flavored tablets often land around 5–10 kcal for a typical two-tablet use. Gummies and some liquids sit higher because of added sugars. When you need a no-kcal option, scan for a sugar-free chewable or a brand that uses non-nutritive sweeteners.
Calcium: Useful Mineral, Real Math
Chewables supply elemental calcium along with acid relief. Brand pages list the amount per tablet. As one example, a Smoothies chew shows elemental calcium of 410 mg per tablet, with a tiny 2 mg sodium listing on the same line (TUMS Smoothies page). That figure helps you track daily totals from food, supplements, and any antacid you use. MedlinePlus explains that calcium carbonate works as both a mineral source and a fast neutralizer for heartburn, which is why it appears in so many chewable lines.
Sodium: The Hidden Number In Effervescent Products
Sodium bicarbonate products can carry a higher sodium load per dose. Labels and drug monographs call out sodium-restricted diets because that mineral can climb with multiple uses. DailyMed includes this warning language for sodium bicarbonate antacids, and that page is worth a quick check before you choose a format, when needed.
Sweeteners: Sugar, Sugar Alcohols, Or None
Sucrose adds small calories and sticky contact on teeth; sugar alcohols like sorbitol can reduce kcal but may loosen stools in sensitive folks. Sugar-free chewables skip both sugar and calories, while gummies trade texture and taste for a higher kcal footprint. Pick based on your priorities: blood sugar steadiness, dental exposure, or a simple 0 kcal dose.
Magnesium And Aluminum: What They Add
Liquid blends often use magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide. These minerals do not add calories, but they can shift bowels at higher intake: magnesium can loosen; aluminum can bind. Brands such as Mylanta publish active ingredient amounts per 10 mL so you can line up dosing with your needs and tolerance.
How Serving Size Changes The Math
The panel shows numbers per serving. With chewables that’s often two tablets; with liquids it’s usually 10–20 mL. If you take more, multiply the energy and mineral figures accordingly. Most labels also include a daily cap. For sodium bicarbonate products, the cap is lower for older adults and appears right on the label along with sodium-diet cautions.
Real-World Scenarios
Frequent small uses: If you nibble a chewable after spicy meals twice per day, a flavored tablet might add 10–20 kcal. Sugar-free versions drop that to zero. The calcium total, though, still counts toward your daily intake.
Liquid at bedtime: A 10–20 mL measure coats well and has no chew time. If a label lists sucrose, expect a few kcal; if it lists sorbitol, calories stay low but gas may nudge up for some people.
Effervescent packet: A fizzy sodium bicarbonate dose feels quick, yet adds sodium you may not want. People tracking blood pressure often choose a calcium carbonate chew instead.
Two Areas Most People Miss
Dose-Linked Calcium Load
Chewables carry a mineral you might also get from food and supplements. The Smoothies page shows 410 mg elemental calcium per tablet. Two tablets move you above 800 mg before you count dairy, fortified milk, or a daily pill. If you already meet your target from food, a non-calcium liquid can keep totals modest.
Sodium Flags On The Label
Monographs for sodium bicarbonate include clear cautions for people who limit salt. The DailyMed page repeats that people on sodium-limited diets should ask a professional before use. That’s sound advice for anyone who uses more than a single dose in a day.
Comparing Common Formats
Each format brings its own profile. This quick view helps you match the product to your nutrition goals along with symptom relief.
Chewable Calcium Carbonate
Pros: compact, on-the-go, and often zero kcal when sugar-free. Cons: adds calcium, which may or may not be what you want that day. Most lines list low sodium, a plus for many shoppers.
Liquid Aluminum/Magnesium
Pros: soothing coat and no chew required. Cons: taste varies; some bottles include sucrose, which adds a minor energy bump. Labels list milligrams per 10 mL, which makes dose math simple.
Effervescent Sodium Bicarbonate
Pros: quick mix, simple ingredient list. Cons: sodium can add up, and labels often warn people with sodium limits or certain medical conditions.
Sample Per-Dose Snapshots
| Product Type | Typical Per-Dose Numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-Free Calcium Chew | 0 kcal; ~400–500 mg elemental calcium per tablet | Two tablets deliver ~800–1000 mg calcium; sodium usually tiny on the panel. |
| Flavored Calcium Chew | 5–10 kcal per 2 tablets | Small sugars for taste; check if your day already includes sweets. |
| Liquid Blend | Per 10–20 mL: magnesium and aluminum listed in mg; kcal depends on sweeteners | Brand pages post exact milligrams; a quick label scan answers kcal questions. |
| Effervescent Bicarbonate | Sodium per tablet or packet shown on label | DailyMed pages flag sodium-limit cautions and dosing caps. |
| Gummy-Style Chew | Often 20–45 kcal per serving | Easy texture and taste; adds sugar and stickiness on teeth. |
Smart Shopping And Use
Pick By Your Goal
If your goal is zero energy from relief, choose sugar-free chewables or a liquid that lists no sucrose. If your goal is extra calcium, a classic flavored chewable can pull double duty.
Read The Panel Without Guesswork
Look for serving size, actives, and any line that lists sodium or sugars. The FDA page linked earlier walks you through the same layout used across OTC products.
Match Dose To Meals
Try the lowest helpful dose. Many labels cap total daily uses, and most direct you to stop and ask a professional if you reach that cap for two weeks.
Method And Source Notes
Figures in this guide come from brand pages and drug information hubs. TUMS product pages list elemental calcium and a tiny sodium figure on select chews. Mylanta’s professional sheet lists milligrams per 10 mL for liquid blends. NIH’s MedlinePlus explains why calcium carbonate appears across chewables. DailyMed posts sodium-restriction cautions for bicarbonate lines. The goal is simple: give you the label items that actually change your day.
When To Choose A Different Route
Symptoms that keep returning or wake you at night need a talk with a clinician. Frequent use can mask a bigger issue, and drug interactions are real. The label backs that up on every package.
Put it all together like this: match the format to your needs, skim the label for calories, sugars, calcium, or sodium, and keep dosing modest, safely. Now you can pick a bottle or a roll that fits your day today and your plate. Save the box for quick reference later.