Q. I have a curious question. Whenever I take a Tums Dual Action tablet for heartburn, I can’t go to sleep. It keeps me awake all night.
I’ve tried taking half a tablet and taking it earlier but it still keeps me awake. Why could this be? Is it the famotidine? I can take the regular Tums just fine.
A. Tums Dual Action contains calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide and famotidine. Famotidine is an acid reducer that doesn’t usually cause insomnia. Nevertheless, this symptom has been reported (infrequently) as a side effect in some clinical trials. You may be one of those rare individuals who are affected. You might want to stick with regular Tums (calcium carbonate) or find a different way to treat your heartburn.
