What is Gaviscon? Uses, benefits, dosage and side effects

Gaviscon is a reflux suppressant and its active ingredient is sodium alginate + bicarbonate. It relieves symptoms such as heartburn or burning due to reflux. It reduces stomach complaints that occur after meals and during pregnancy. It prevents acid indigestion and gastric fluid coming up into the mouth. It is also used to treat inflammation of esophagus. It is usually prescribed to be used for a short period of time, depending on the frequency and intensity of complaints. In occasional conditions, it can only be used as symptoms appear. For symptoms with increasing intensity and frequency, a seven-day treatment can be administered. If complaints are not relieved during this period, the doctor should be informed. It is a safe medicine and its side effects are limited. But it should not be used without medical advice.

What is Gaviscon?

What is Gaviscon used for?

Gaviscon is mainly used for relieving the complaints especially due to the following conditions: (2)

• Acid reflux (stomach content including gastric fluid coming up into the mouth from esophagus)
• Oesophagitis (inflammation of esophagus)
• Pregnancy reflux (gastroesophageal reflux that can occur due to pregnancy hormones)

What is Gastritis? Causes, symptoms, treatment and natural healing

The symptoms of the conditions that appear especially after meals are as follows:

• Hearthburn-stomach burning
• Acid indigestion
• Acid coming from the stomach up into the mouth

How does Gaviscon work?

• form a protective barrier on the stomach contents,
• control the release of stomach acid and other stomach fluids,
• protect the irritated surface of the stomach with the barrier they form,
• prevent the acid escaping back up to esophagus.

When does Gaviscon start to work?

As soon as the medicine is taken, it starts to show its effect. The effect of a dose can last about 4 hours.

What is indigestion (dyspepsia)? Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

How to use Gaviscon?

• Take it after meals.
• Shake the bottle well before taking the syrup form.
• Tablet form should be chewed. It may be easier to divide a tablet into small pieces and chew. If you need, drink water after taking it.
• In case of occasional stomach conditions, take it only when needed.
• If stomach problems increase, continue taking the medicine regularly, even if there are no complaints.
• Take the medicine in a dose recommended by the doctor and in accordance with the instructions.
• Do not take a double dose to balance missed dose. Just skip that dose and follow your routine dose cycle.
• If symptoms do not relieve within 7 days and get worse, immediately inform your doctor.
• Do not stop treatment with this medicine without consulting your doctor. Symptoms may reappear.
• Do not extend the use of the medicine, except the control of your doctor.
• The medicine is prescribed just for you. Don’t share it with others.

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Gaviscon dosage

Gaviscon syrup (liquid) form

• Children between 6-12 years old: 1-2 dessertspoonful (5-10 ml) x 4
• Children over 12 years old and adults: 2-4 dessertspoonful (10-20 ml) x4

Gaviscon chewable tablet form

• Children over 12 years old and adults: 1-2 tablets x 4

Dose adjustment is not required for both forms for the elderly. In patients with renal failure, a special dose adjustment is required due to sodium and calcium content in the medicine.

Gaviscon overdose

This medicine does not have any serious side effects due to overdose. If taken too much by accident, it may cause a temporary bloating in the stomach-abdominal area. This does not cause any health hazards. If you are worried, you can consult your doctor.

How long can I use Gaviscon?

Warnings for Gaviscon

• As the medicine contains sodium, patients on a controlled sodium diet should inform their doctor for dose adjustment.
• Patients with recurrent kidney stones should take the medicine under the supervision of a doctor due to the calcium carbonate content.
• Misuse may mask more serious underlying medical conditions. Therefore, it should not be taken for a long time.

Gaviscon drug interactions

Particular attention should be paid to the following medications:

• Histamine (h2) antagonists: Medicines used to treat peptic ulcer and heartburn
• Antibiotics: Quinolone group antibiotics with tetracycline or norfloxacin active ingredient, especially used in many bacterial infections
• Antifungals: Ketoconazole-containing medicines used to treat many fungal skin infections
• Neuroleptics: Medicines, also known as antipsychotics, used to treat psychosis like schizophrenia
• Some cardiovascular drugs: Beta blockers such as atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol, and digoxin
• Bisphosphonates: Medicines used for osteoporosis mostly seen in women
• Chloroquine: Medicines to prevent and treat malaria
• Thyroxine: A medicine used in thyroid disease
• Glucocorticoid: A kind of hormone medicine
• Iron tablets

In order to regulate the time of medicine intake, inform your doctor about all prescription or over-the-counter medications you use.

Gaviscon and drinking alcohol

Gaviscon does not interact with alcohol and cause side effects. But it can adversely affect the healing activity of the medicine. Alcohol makes the stomach produce more acid than normal. This can irritate the stomach lining and make symptoms worse. Therefore, it is not recommended to use alcohol during Gaviscon treatment.

Gaviscon food interactions

Different forms of Gaviscon

Gaviscon Original:

• Peppermint Flavour Liquid – 600 m
• Aniseed Relief – 300 ml
• Chewable Tablets Peppermint – 24 tabs

Gaviscon Double Action:

• Mint Tablets – 48 tabs
• Liquid Aniseed – 300 ml
• Liquid Sachets – 12 x 10 ml
• Liquid Peppermint – 300 ml

Gaviscon Advance:

• Liquid Peppermint – 300 ml
• Aniseed Flavour Oral Suspension – 300 ml
• Mint Chewable Tablets – 24 tabs

Gaviscon Infant – 30 sachets

Gaviscon equivalent (generic) medicines

• Rennie: Chewable tablet – Suspension
• Acid Gone: Chewable tablet – Suspension

Gaviscon contraindications

Who should not take Gaviscon?

Gaviscon is a very safe medicine in general. However;

• Children <6 years old
• Patients who are on a solid salt or sodium restricted diet, i.e. cardiac or renal patients, due to the sodium content
• Patients with high blood calcium levels and kidney stone history, due to the calcium content
• Those who are allergic or likely to be allergic to active and inactive ingredients in its content, should avoid from taking this medicine.

Those who have the following health conditions should take this medicine with caution:

• History of renal or heart disease (such conditions may be triggered by the salt content)
• Severe renal failure
• Very low-level of acid in the stomach (this may reduce the effect of the medicine)

Taking Gaviscon during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Gaviscon can be used safely during pregnancy and breastfeeding with the prescription of the doctor and in accordance with the instructions. Becoming pregnant while taking the medicine does not cause any health problem. Nevertheless, you should inform your doctor about all medicines taken during pregnancy. (4,5)

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What are the side effects of Gaviscon?

• Gaviscon is a very safe medicine and doesn’t have side effects in general.
• Possible side effects are very mild and will disappear when stop taking it.
• Each form contains different inactive ingredients, and these may cause vomiting, constipation, or diarrhoea in some individuals.
• Inform your doctor immediately if you notice any sudden side effect.

• Itchy, red, swollen, blistered or peeling skin rash
• Wheezing in the chest
• Tightness in the chest and throat
• Face, lips, mouth, throat, hands and/or feet start swelling
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Difficulty in breathing