Important Supplements
What is MCS?
You may have seen it mentioned all over the place if you are on a Facebook group, a Babycenter board, or something like that. But what exactly is MCS?
Many, many years ago Mylanta made Mylanta Cherry Supreme. The active ingredients were Calcium Carbonate and Magnesium Hydroxide. For whatever reason, Mylanta discontinued this product, but the generic is still available, if you can find it. The most common to be found is CVS Supreme Antacid Liquid.
While there are several options to be found, the most important thing is to make sure the product you pick does not have Aluminum in it.
All of the products below can be used to home compound Zantac and Omeprazole.
All of these products are corn light, so may not work for a baby who needs to be corn free.
See products below needed for recipes to make your own variation of antacid liquid.
Here is an easy guide table. See below for details.
| Product | Active Ingredients | Dose |
| CVS Supreme Antacid Liquid | Calcium Carbonate 400mg/5ml, Magnesium Hydroxie 135mg/5ml | 1-2.5ml up to 5 times a day. |
| Mylanta Tonight | Calcium Carbonate 400mg/5ml, Magnesium Hydroxie 135mg/5ml | 1-2.5ml up to 5 times a day. |
| Rolaids Liquid Antacid | Calium Carbonate 1000mg/5ml, Magnesium Hydroxide 200mg/5ml | 0.5-1ml up to 5 times a day. |
CVS Supreme Antacid Liquid
The original generic for Mylanta Cherry Supreme. Usually readily available at CVS. The active ingredients are Calcium Carbonate 400mg/5ml and Magnesium Hydroxide 135mg/5ml.
Dosing: 1-2.5ml up to 5 times a day as needed for reflux flares.
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Recently Mylanta released a new product, Mylanta Tonight. The active ingredients are Calcium Carbonate 800mg/10ml, Magnesium Hydroxide 270mg/10ml, and Simethicone 80mg/5ml.
This translates to the exact concentration of CVS Supreme Antacid Liquid, with the added benefit of Simethicone, which can help with gas. If you were to give 2.5mls, you would be giving the same amount of Simethicone recommended in baby gas drops such as Mylicon. There appears to be no honey or actual chamomile in this product.
According to the company, this product contains both artificial and natural honey flavor. Some moms feel the risk of botulism is minimal, but please be aware if using this on a baby under 1 year of age.
Dosing: 1-2.5ml up to 5 times a day as needed for reflux flares.
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Rolaids Liquid Antacid Ultra Strength
Liquid Rolaids is another option found at some stores. Active ingredients are Calcium Carbonate 1000mg/5mls and Magnesium Hydroxide 200mg/5mls.
Dosing is 0.5-1ml up to 5 times a day as needed for reflux flares.
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Home Compounding Antacid Liquid
What if you can’t find any of these products? What if your baby is extremely sensitive to corn, artifical flavorings or dyes, or any of the other inactive ingredients? You can actually make your own antacid liquid at home.
Your goal is to give 80-200mg of Calcium Carbonate per dose. If you are able to get Magnesium Oxide measured out small enough, your goal is to give 27-67mg per dose. While Magnesium helps as an antacid (and has many added benefits https://www.infantreflux.org/magnesium-for-the-littles), the biggest help for reflux flare will be your calium carbonate. Will be updating as we explore ways to get Magnesium Oxide dosed with mini spoons.
For now, home compounding with just Calcium Carbonate:
Tums
If baby does not have issues with corn, Tums can be an easy to find option. Tums has cornstarch in it, so a definite no no for corn reaction babies.
1 x Tums 1000mg
5mls water
Grind or crush Tums. Mix with water. Dose the same as Rolaids Liquid. Can multiply recipe to have larger batches on hand.
Dosing: 0.5-1ml up to 5 times a day as needed for reflux flares.
Now Calcium Carbonate Powder
½ teaspoon Now Calcium Carbonate Powder
20mls water
Shake well.
This may actually be corn free or, the most corn light you can get. Dosing is the same as CVS Supreme.
Dosing: 1-2.5ml up to 5 times a day as needed for reflux flares.
