Dear XXXXXXX

Thanks for your query.

Let me put across this way; you have reported 2 problems:

1. You been suffering from nausea and acid reflux not controlled by antacids for a week
2. You developed palpitation (feeling your heart beat) with inability to sleep 2 nights ago following use of Maalox tablet

It would have been good if you had mentioned your age, if you suffer from previous illness such as heart disease, anxiety problems in the past. You have also not mentioned which brand of Maalox did you use?
I shall presume it to be Maalox regular one and not Maalox Total Relief (which also contains bismuth subsalicylate).

Now, to answer your queries:

Since you report that nausea and discomfort is persisting inspite of the use of antacids, you probably need a better treatment for GERD. A course of proton pump inhibitor medications can be very useful in such cases.
Since smoking has a very bad effects on GERD, I think it is high time that you quit smoking absolutely and not for a short while.
A bland, low spicy diet and physical exercises play a vital role in preventing these symptoms.

Tab. Maalox is not known to cause side effects such as palpitations. However there are some reports that use of bismuth subsalicylate can cause abdominal discomfort. So if you are using bismuth subsalicylate containing antacid, you may have to stop them.

The palpitation and inability to sleep is more suggesting of anxiety than a heart problem. I hope you are better by the time you read this.

However, if you continue to have the symptoms of restlessness, palpitations and difficulty to sleep, you need medical attention. You need to report to a doctor then for prescription medication. Believe me you can be easily cured with simple prescription. They are not over the counter any more.

Wish you the best and hope I have answered your query.

If there are any further queries, you can write back to me. I will be happy to answer them as well.

Best Regards.

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