Gaviscon Double Strength Chewable Tablets

Gaviscon general information

What is Gaviscon used for?

Gaviscon Double Strength Chewable Tablets are used to relieve symptoms of heartburn and indigestion (dyspepsia).  Heartburn is caused by gastric reflux, which is when the acidic contents of the stomach flow back into the oesophagus and result in symptoms including burning and tightening at the back of the throat or chest area; also an acidic or bitter taste.  Reflux can cause damage to the oesophagus resulting in inflammation (oesophagitis).  Indigestion is also caused by stomach acid which can irritate the stomach wall causing symptoms including abdominal discomfort or pain, nausea and bloating.  The triggers for both heartburn and indigestion are related to the type of food eaten and eating habits.  For example, eating a large meal can cause overproduction of stomach acid resulting in overflow or reflux of acidic stomach contents back through the esophagus.  Eating too quickly and eating high fat or acidic foods; also drinking caffeine and alcohol increase release of stomach acid.  Indigestion and heartburn can also be side effects of some medications such as some heart medications and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), and the result of smoking.   

How does Gaviscon work?

Gaviscon Double Strength Chewable Tablets contain a combination of sodium alginate calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate.  Sodium alginate in Gaviscon Chewable Tablets is a naturally derived extract of brown algae that forms a thick layer over stomach contents soon after it has made contact with stomach acid.  Carbon dioxide becomes trapped in the sodium alginate and it floats to the top of the stomach, forming a raft, which acts as a strong physical barrier that helps prevent regurgitation or reflux of acidic stomach contents into the oesophagus.  Gaviscon Chewable Tablets also contain calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate that act together as an antacid to neutralise stomach acid.  The combined action of these components in Gaviscon Chewable Tablets helps relieve symptoms of excess stomach acid and lasts for up to 4 hours.  Gaviscon Chewable Tablets also have a soothing effect, which can help promote healing in reflux oesophagitis. 

What does Gaviscon contain?

Gaviscon Double Strength Chewable Tablets contains the active ingredient sodium alginate (500mg), calcium carbonate (160mg) and sodium bicarbonate (267mg) that are used in combination to help relieve symptoms of heartburn and indigestion.

Treating heartburn and indigestion with Gaviscon

Gaviscon Double Strength Chewable Tablets sodium alginate, a naturally derived extract of brown algae; they also contain two antacids calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate.  Gaviscon Chewable Tablets are used to relieve symptoms of heartburn (gastric reflux) and indigestion (dyspepsia), which are both caused by eating habits that stimulate over production of stomach acid, such as eating fatty foods, large meals, eating too quickly; also drinking caffeine and alcohol.  Indigestion and heartburn can also be side effects of some medications such as some heart medications and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), and the result of smoking.  Heartburn is caused by gastric reflux, which is when the acidic contents of the stomach flow back into the oesophagus and result in symptoms including burning and tightening at the back of the throat or chest area; also an acidic or bitter taste.  Indigestion is also caused by stomach acid which can irritate the stomach wall causing symptoms including abdominal discomfort or pain, nausea and bloating.  Sodium alginate in Gaviscon Chewable Tablets forms a thick layer or raft over stomach contents soon after it has made contact with stomach acid and this helps prevent regurgitation or reflux of acidic stomach contents into the oesophagus.  Calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate neutralise stomach acid, which helps prevent damage and promotes healing.   

What are the side effects of Gaviscon?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Gaviscon Double Strength Chewable Tablets include constipation and diarrhoea.

When should Gaviscon not be used?

You should not use Gaviscon Double Strength Chewable Tablets if you:

• are allergic to sodium alginate, calcium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate or any ingredients in Gaviscon
• are pregnant or breastfeeding, without consulting your doctor
• are also taking citrate salts found in some calcium supplements, antacids, and laxatives
• have Alzheimer disease, appendicitis, diarrhoea, a stomach blockage, kidney problems, or an ileostomy
• have recently had stomach bleeding
• taking medicines that interact with Gaviscon, including cation exchange resins like sodium polystyrene sulfonate, citrate salts (found in some calcium supplements, antacids, and laxatives), anticoagulants like, warfarin, quinidine, or sulfonylureas like glyburide for diabetes, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors like enalapril for high blood pressure, beta-blockers like propranolol for heart conditions, bisphosphonates like risedronate for osteoporosis, cephalosporin antibiotics like cephalexin, corticosteroids like hydrocortisone, cyclosporine, delavirdine for HIV, digoxin for heart failure, antifungals like ketoconazole), the immunosuppressive mycophenolate, the antibiotics penicillamine, the quinolone antibiotic ciprofloxacin, the tetracycline antibiotic doxycycline, thyroid hormones

What medications interact with Gaviscon?

Several medications interact with Gaviscon Double Strength Chewable Tablets and should either not be taken while you are taking Gaviscon or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that have increased action and risk of side effects when taken with Gaviscon: anticoagulants like, warfarin, quinidine, or sulfonylureas like glyburide for diabetes
• Drugs that affect Gaviscon: Cation exchange resins like sodium polystyrene sulfonate and citrate salts (found in some calcium supplements, antacids, and laxatives)
• Gaviscon Chewable Tablets should not be taken within 2 hours before or after taking these drugs that are affected by Gaviscon: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors like enalapril for high blood pressure, beta-blockers like propranolol for heart conditions, bisphosphonates like risedronate for osteoporosis, cephalosporins antibiotics like cephalexin, corticosteroids like hydrocortisone, cyclosporine, delavirdine for HIV, digoxin for heart failure, antifungals like ketoconazole), the immunosuppressive mycophenolate, the antibiotics penicillamine, the quinolone antibiotic ciprofloxacin, the tetracyclines antibiotics doxycycline, thyroid hormones.   

How should Gaviscon be taken?

You should take your Gaviscon Double Strength Chewable Tablets with or without food 1-2 tablets up to 4 times daily.  Chew thoroughly before swallowing and then drink half a glass of water.  You should continue to take Gaviscon Chewable Tablets until symptoms are relieved but for no longer than 2 weeks.   

How long should you take Gaviscon?

You continue to take Gaviscon Double Strength Chewable Tablets until symptoms are relieved but for no longer than 2 weeks. 

Missed dose of Gaviscon

If you miss a dose of Gaviscon Double Strength Chewable Tablets take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.  

How should Gaviscon be stored?

You should store your Gaviscon below 25°C in a cool dry place.