Gaviscon – composition, action, dosage, indications, contraindications

Gaviscon mint flavor is a medicine available as an oral suspension and as chewable tablets. This drug is designed to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux such as heartburn, belching and indigestion. What ingredients are responsible for the healing effect of Gaviscon? What are the indications and contraindications for the use of this preparation? Can its use cause side effects in a patient? How much does Gaviscon cost?

Gaviscon – general characteristics of the drug

Gaviscon mint flavor is a product that protects the lining of the stomach and esophagus. It is a combined preparation containing sodium alginate, calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. These ingredients create a protective layer in the esophagus and stomach that isolates gastric acid from the surface of the tissues covering the gastrointestinal tract, and prevents acid reflux from the stomach into the esophagus.

Gaviscon is available in several forms:

1. sachets containing powder, which should be mixed with a glass of 150 ml of lukewarm water and drunk immediately after preparation;
2. suspensions – it has white colors and the smell and taste of mint. Available packages are a bottle of 150 ml, 200 ml or 300 ml. This form of the drug is especially recommended for people who have severe heartburn associated with vomiting when swallowing. The single dose suspension consists of 160 ml of calcium carbonate, which is why it is not recommended for people suffering from kidney stones (kidney stones contain calcium). This form of the drug is not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age;
3. chewable tablets – are round, off-white to cream, slightly mottled tablets. Gaviscon tablets are available in the following packages: blister: 8, 16, 24, 32, 48 tablets; PP container in a cardboard box: 8, 12, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 tablets; PP container in a cardboard box: 2 × 16, 2 × 18, 2 × 20, 2 × 22, 2 × 24 tablets. The tablets contain aspartame and therefore cannot be used by patients suffering from phenylketonuria.

Gaviscon should not be used after the expiry date which is stated on the package label after “EXP”. The drug should be stored below 30 degrees Celsius.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask the pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer needed. Such behavior will help to protect the environment.

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Gaviscon – composition and operation

Gaviscon is a combined preparation, which means that it contains several active substances. They are:

1. alginic acid – is an organic chemical compound from the group of polysaccharides. It is naturally a component of the cell walls of many marine algae, mainly brown algae. It is an agent for gastroesophageal reflux disease that manifests itself as belching, heartburn and indigestion. Alginic acid is also used to relieve the symptoms of reflux oesophagitis. Alginic acid is, inter alia, ingredient of the drug Ranigast SOS;
2. calcium (calcium carbonate) – is the basic mineral component of the organism. In medicine, however, it is one of the most common forms of calcium supply to the body in dietary supplements, the bioavailability of which in this form is estimated at an average level of approx. 30%. Calcium is usually used to help treat heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux. It acts as an antacid to hydrochloric acid; 
3. sodium bicarbonate – sometimes also called sodium bicarbonate. It has a multidirectional application in medicine. In the stomach, it has a neutralizing effect on the excessive secretion of gastric acid. This compound helps with heartburn or stomach acidity. However, it is worth remembering that it only reduces the symptoms of the disease, not their cause.

All three substances in one preparation affect the processes taking place in the stomach. The drug reacts very quickly with the hydrochloric acid in the stomach. As a result, a layer of alginate gel is formed, the main feature of which is a neutral pH. This unique protective layer inhibits gastroesophageal reflux very quickly.

Gaviscon also acts on the esophagus – it retracts into it and relieves the burning sensation. It removes the bitter aftertaste that often appears in the mouth just before vomiting. The action of the preparation results from the physicochemical properties of active substances and does not depend on their absorption into the circulation.

For Gaviscon suspension, the active substances in each 10 ml dose are 500 mg of sodium alginate, 267 mg of sodium bicarbonate and 160 mg of calcium carbonate. The other ingredients are carbomer 974P, methyl (E218) and propyl (E216) parahydroxybenzoate, sodium saccharin, sodium hydroxide, mint flavor # 4, mint flavor # 5, and purified water.

The active substances in tablets are 250 mg of sodium alginate, 133,5 mg of sodium bicarbonate and 80 mg of calcium carbonate. In addition, the drug contains mannitol (E421), macrogol 20 and copovidone.

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Gaviscon – indications for the use of the drug

Gaviscon is a preparation that is used in cases of occurrence symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux. Your doctor may recommend this medication especially to treat symptoms such as belching, heartburn and indigestion. For example, after meals or during pregnancy, and in patients with symptoms associated with reflux oesophagitis.

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Gaviscon – contraindications to use

Gaviscon, despite its effectiveness in treating the symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux, cannot be used by every patient struggling with this type of ailments. The drug can not be used if the patient is allergic to any component of the drug. Hypersensitivity manifests itself as difficulty breathing or skin rashes.

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Gaviscon – precautions

Before and during the use of Gaviscon, follow the precautions, which are included in the package leaflet.

Precautions to keep in mind include:

1. Gaviscon contains small amounts of sodium (6,2 mmol / 10 ml) and calcium (1,6 mmol / 10 ml): patients who require restriction of the supply of these ingredients in the diet should discuss the use of the drug with a doctor;
2. you should consult your doctor if you have kidney or heart diseases, as increased salt content increases the risk of these diseases;
3. Gaviscon contains methyl (E218) and propyl (E216) parahydroxybenzoate, which may cause allergic reactions, including delayed ones;
4. consult your doctor in case of reduced gastric secretion, as this medicine may be less effective then;
5. if symptoms persist after seven days of treatment, consult your doctor;
6. Gaviscon is intended for short-term treatment, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you need to take this medicine on a daily basis for an extended period or regularly, especially if you need to monitor the salt content of your diet.

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Gaviscon – dosage and method of use

Always use Gaviscon exactly as described in the package leaflet or as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Gaviscon tablets are for oral use. The tablet should be chewed thoroughly before swallowing. For adults, including the elderly, and children 12 years of age and over correct dose of Gaviscon ranges from 2 to 4 tablets after meals and at bedtime, up to four times a day. Taking too much of the drug may cause abdominal distension and discomfort in the abdomen. If it does not go away, see your doctor.

In turn, the correct dose of Gaviscon suspension is 10-20 ml after meals and at bedtime (up to four times a day).

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Gaviscon – side effects

Gaviscon, like any other drug, may cause side effects in patients. It is important to report any suspected adverse reactions after authorization of the medicinal product so that the benefit / risk balance of the medicinal product can be monitored.

The frequency classification of adverse body reactions (ADRs) is based on the following principles: very common (≥1 / 10), common (≥1 / 100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1 / 1 to <000/1), rare (≥ 100 / 1 to <10 / 000), very rare (<1 / 1), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

With the use of Gaviscon very rarely (less than 1 in 10 patients) allergic reactions to the components of the drug may occur:

1. skin rash;
2. itching;
3. breathing difficulties;
4. dizziness;
5. swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. 

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Gaviscon – interactions with other drugs

Before starting treatment with Gaviscon, please inform your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicines you are taking or have recently taken. You should also inform what medications the patient plans to take in the near future.

The drug contains calcium carbonate, which has an antacid effect on gastric juice. Therefore, this preparation may affect the absorption of other drugs. It is recommended to leave a two-hour interval between taking the preparation and taking other drugs, especially drugs that block histamine type 2 receptors (H2 receptors) in the parietal cells of the gastric mucosa (e.g. ranitidine, famotidine), tetracyclines, digoxin, fluoroquinolones, iron salts, ketoconazole, neuroleptics. , thyroxine, penicillamine, beta-blockers (atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol), glucocorticosteroids, chloroquine and bisphosphonates.

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Gaviscon and pregnancy and breastfeeding

The use of any medications or dietary supplements during pregnancy requires consultation with the attending physician. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking Gaviscon.

According to the information included in the package leaflet, the preparation can be used at recommended doses in pregnant women and during breastfeeding. However, remember to use it as short as possible.

What Causes Heartburn During Pregnancy? Check: Heartburn in pregnancy – symptoms, causes, treatment

Gaviscon – dinner

The price of Gaviscon may vary depending on the city in which the preparation will be purchased or the pharmacy chosen by the patient. The price of the product also depends on the form of the drug and the number of tablets or the capacity of the drug package:

1. Gaviscon in an oral suspension 150 ml – about PLN 15;
2. Gaviscon in an oral suspension 300 ml – about PLN 25;
3. Gaviscon in tablets of 16 tablets – approx. PLN 14;
4. Gaviscon in tablets 24 tablets – about PLN 16;
5. Gaviscon in tablets of 48 tablets – approx. PLN 25;
6. Gaviscon in tablets of 8 tablets – about PLN 7.

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Gaviscon – the most important information

The most important information about Gaviscon has been compiled and presented in the table below.