TUMS is an antacid

Antacid

An antacid is a substance which neutralizes stomach acidity.-Mechanism of action:Antacids perform a neutralization reaction, increasing the pH to reduce acidity in the stomach. When gastric hydrochloric acid reaches the nerves in the gastrointestinal mucosa, they signal pain to the central nervous...

 made of sucrose

Sucrose

Sucrose is the organic compound commonly known as table sugar and sometimes called saccharose. A white, odorless, crystalline powder with a sweet taste, it is best known for its role in human nutrition. The molecule is a disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose with the molecular formula...

 (sugar) and calcium carbonate

Calcium carbonate

Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound with the formula CaCO3. It is a common substance found in rocks in all parts of the world, and is the main component of shells of marine organisms, snails, coal balls, pearls, and eggshells. Calcium carbonate is the active ingredient in agricultural lime,...

 manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline plc is a global pharmaceutical, biologics, vaccines and consumer healthcare company headquartered in London, United Kingdom...

 in St.Louis, Missouri, USA. It is a non-prescription drug

Prescription drug

A prescription medication is a licensed medicine that is regulated by legislation to require a medical prescription before it can be obtained. The term is used to distinguish it from over-the-counter drugs which can be obtained without a prescription...

 and available at many retail stores, including drug stores, grocery stores and mass merchandisers. It provides relief from acid indigestion, heartburn

Heartburn

Heartburn, also known as pyrosis or acid indigestion is a burning sensation in the chest, just behind the breastbone or in the epigastrium...

, and indigestion ("sour stomach") and is considered a calcium supplement. The antacid was first created in 1928 and introduced commercially in 1930. Originally made by Norcliff Thayer

Norcliff Thayer

Norcliff Thayer, Inc., was a healthcare company that made Tums, Oxy, and Avail. In 1986, the company was acquired by Beecham. The Tums brand is the only remaining product owned by GlaxoSmithKline as of 2010; the Oxy brand was sold to The Mentholatum Company and Avail was discontinued....

, it was acquired by Beecham

Beecham

- Surname :* Thomas Beecham , British chemist, grandfather of the conductor* Thomas Beecham , British conductor* Sir Joseph Beecham, 1st Baronet , eldest son of Thomas Beecham the chemist...

 in 1986. Famous advertising campaigns for Tums have included "Tums for the Tummy" and, much later for television

Television advertisement

A television advertisement or television commercial, often just commercial, advert, ad, or ad-film – is a span of television programming produced and paid for by an organization that conveys a message, typically one intended to market a product...

, by a memorable barbershop jingle

Jingle

A jingle is a short tune used in advertising and for other commercial uses. The jingle contains one or more hooks and lyrics that explicitly promote the product being advertised, usually through the use of one or more advertising slogans. Ad buyers use jingles in radio and television...

 sung to the theme music used in all versions of Dragnet

Dragnet (series)

Dragnet is a radio and television crime drama about the cases of a dedicated Los Angeles police detective, Sergeant Joe Friday, and his partners...

.

Tums comes in tablets, capsules, syrup, or chewable tablets that are taken orally. It is also available in different flavors such as peppermint and fruits such as berries and orange.