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- Overview
- FAQ
- Side Effects
- Patient Information Leaflet
- Reviews
- What is Gaviscon Tablets
- What are the side effects of Gaviscon Chewable Tablets?
- Can I buy Gaviscon Chewable Tablets online?
- What dose should I choose?
- How effective are Gaviscon Chewable Tablets?
- How should I take Gaviscon Chewable Tablets?
- How do Gaviscon Chewable Tablets work?
- For how long do I take Gaviscon Chewable Tablets for before I notice a difference?
- When shouldn’t I take Gaviscon Chewable Tablets?
What is Gaviscon Tablets
Gaviscon Chewable Tablets are used to deal with heartburn (reflux) and indigestion. They're used to deal with signs after meals and at bedtime and act quite shortly to relieve the Stomach ache and discomfort that stomach acid may cause.
What are the side effects of Gaviscon Chewable Tablets?
If too much of the product is consumed, there may be bloating and abdominal discomfort. It is unlikely to cause any harm, but the doctor or pharmacist should be consulted if this is prolonged or causing excessive discomfort.
Side effects occur very rarely with Gaviscon Chewable Tablets. Less than 1 in 10,000 patients may experience allergic reactions to the ingredients. Symptoms of this may include difficulty breathing, dizziness or swelling of the face, tongue, lips, or throat, skin rash, and itching.
Please speak to your GP or consult our specialists at Click Pharmacy should you require any further advice.
Can I buy Gaviscon Chewable Tablets online?
Gaviscon Chewable Tablets are available for purchase without the need for a prescription from your doctor. However, you are welcome to book an appointment with a health expert at Click Pharmacy to discuss how best to use these Gaviscon Chewable Tablets. They can be purchased online in containers of 20 or 60 chewable tablets. These can be sent directly to you by Next Day Delivery from Click Pharmacy.
What dose should I choose?
Gaviscon Chewable Tablets are only available in one dose containing 500mg sodium alginate and 100mg potassium bicarbonate.
Adults should take 1-2 tablets of Gaviscon up to four times a day when needed. It is best to take the tablet/s when the symptoms of indigestion and heartburn appear, which usually is after meals and at bedtime. This is when the pain and discomfort are generally at its worst.
Unless otherwise prescribed by the doctor, Gaviscon Chewable Tablets should only be taken when the symptoms appear and stopped when the discomfort and reflux have stopped.
How effective are Gaviscon Chewable Tablets?
Gaviscon Chewable Tablets contain alginic acid that works by forming a protective layer which acts as a raft on top of the stomach contents. This keeps the stomach acid from rising to the food pipe. Each tablet also contains the antacid potassium bicarbonate, which neutralises excess acid, reducing the pain and discomfort that this causes. Potassium bicarbonate reacts with the acid in the stomach, releasing carbon dioxide bubbles, which are trapped by the gel in alginic acid, allowing this to float on top of the stomach contents.
Generally, Gaviscon Chewable Tablets are taken when the symptoms appear, such as after a meal or before bedtime.
They can also be used to relieve the symptoms of conditions such as hiatus hernia, inflamed food pipe and hoarseness, and other voice disorders such as sore throat and cough associated with reflux.
They can be taken to control heartburn symptoms which occur when taking or after the withdrawal of certain medications.
How should I take Gaviscon Chewable Tablets?
Adults should take 1-2 Gaviscon Chewable Tablets up to four times a day when needed. The tablet should be chewed thoroughly before swallowing.
It is best to take the medication when the symptoms of indigestion and heartburn appear, which is usually after meals and at bedtime. This is when the pain and discomfort are generally at its worst.
It is essential to follow some lifestyle changes to improve the condition, especially if you are prone to heartburn, reflux, or indigestion. You may notice that some foods affect you more than others.
Your pharmacist or doctor will advise on some lifestyle changes that may be necessary for you in particular. For example, you may need to lose weight, avoid alcohol, caffeinated and carbonated drinks, and avoid large meals. It is also essential to avoid eating large meals close to your bedtime. Other people may be sensitive to specific food products such as red wine and chocolate. Highly acidic foods, such as those with high-fat content, including fried foods, citrus and tomato-based foods, as well as spicy foods, should be avoided at least for a short time until the symptoms improve.
Sometimes heartburn may be caused by stress, in which case measures should be taken to alleviate the underlying problems.
If the product is needed several times a day, every day, and over more than a week, the doctor should be consulted. Heartburn, reflux, and indigestion may be symptoms of other infections and conditions that may require further investigation and treatment. Gaviscon Chewable Tablets do not usually cause problems when taken over a long time, but this should only be done under the guidance of a doctor.
How do Gaviscon Chewable Tablets work?
Gaviscon Chewable Tablets contain alginic acid that acts by forming a protective layer which acts as a raft on top of the stomach contents. This keeps the stomach acid from rising to the food pipe. They also contain the antacid potassium bicarbonate, which neutralises excess acid, reducing the pain and discomfort that this causes. Potassium bicarbonate reacts with the acid in the stomach, releasing carbon dioxide bubbles, which are trapped by the gel in alginic acid, allowing this to float.
For how long do I take Gaviscon Chewable Tablets for before I notice a difference?
A decrease in the severity of symptoms should be noted within 20-30 minutes of use of Gaviscon Chewable Tablets, with most patients experiencing complete relief.
If a dose is missed, it is not necessary to take a double dose. The next dose should be taken when the patient remembers and the regimen carried on as normal.
If the medication makes no difference to the symptoms, especially on repeated use, a doctor should be consulted as this might indicate the presence of another condition or infection which needs further investigation. If the product is necessary several times a day, every day, and over more than a week, the doctor should be consulted as this could be an underlined issue for other problems.
When shouldn’t I take Gaviscon Chewable Tablets?
Gaviscon Chewable Tablets should not be taken in case of allergy to any of the ingredients, including any previous reaction to its intake.
Special care should be taken in those who are on a low sodium diet. Two tablets of Gaviscon contain a total of 4.5 mmol of sodium, 2 mmol of potassium and 2 mmol of calcium. If the patient is on a diet which restricts any of these salts, a doctor should be consulted before taking Gaviscon Chewable Tablets.
Gaviscon Chewable Tablets may be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, in these cases, the treatment duration should be kept as short as possible, with doses only taken when there is discomfort or pain.
If the medication makes no difference to the symptoms, especially on repeated use, a doctor should be consulted as this might indicate the presence of another condition or infection which needs further investigation. If the product is required several times a day, every day, and over more than a week, the doctor should be consulted.
Can I take other medication while using Gaviscon Chewable Tablets?
You should avoid taking any oral medicines 2 hours before and after taking Gaviscon Chewable Tablets. This is because the medication may interfere with the way Gaviscon Chewable Tablets work and cause side effects.
Can children use Gaviscon Chewable Tablets?
Gaviscon Chewable Tablets are not suitable for children under the age of 12 years old. However in rare cases it has been prescribed to children under the age of 12 years old.
Can pregnant or breastfeeding women use Gaviscon Chewable Tablets?
Gaviscon Chewable Tablets are safe to be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women. It does not cause any harm to the baby at all.
What if I forget to take my dose of Gaviscon Chewable Tablets?
If you forget to take Gaviscon Chewable Tablets, then you should take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for your next dose. If it is almost time for your next dose then you should skip the dose you just missed and continue like normal. You should never take two doses at once even if you are making up for a missed dose.
Can I take painkillers while using Gaviscon Chewable Tablets?
Yes, it is safe to take painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen while using Gaviscon Chewable Tablets.
Is there any medication I should avoid taking while using Gaviscon Chewable Tablets?
You should avoid taking the following medicines 2 hours before and after taking Gaviscon Chewable Tablets:
- Levothyroxine
- Estramustine
- Chloroquine
- Steroids
- Penicillamine
- Beta-blockers
- Iron tablets
- Antihistamines
- PPI
- A few antibiotics
- Medicines used for antipsychotic
After using Gaviscon Chewable Tablets, the majority of patients do not experience any side effects. For the minority of patients who do experience side effects, symptoms are usually mild and disappear after a few uses.
If you experience an itchy nose, runny eyes and irritation you may be experiencing an allergic reaction. In this case you should stop using Gaviscon Chewable Tablets and seek medical advice, from a GP or pharmacist, as soon as possible.
Always read the patient information leaflet before starting your treatment. The patient information can be found here.