Information specific to: Gaviscon liquid sachets.
About Gaviscon liquid sachets and how it works
This medicine helps relieves the symptoms and discomfort caused by acid reflux and hyperacidity associated with conditions such as indigestion, heartburn, and oesophagitis.
This medicine has three main ingredients which work together to relieve the pain and discomfort caused by excess acid and acid reflux: sodium alginate, calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. Sodium alginate forms a gel-like layer on top of the acid in the stomach. This helps prevent reflux of stomach acid up the gullet and protects the stomach lining and the gullet from acid attack. It also has a soothing effect and allows healing to occur in reflux oesophagitis. Calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate are both antacids and work by neutralising excess acid and protect the stomach from irritation.
This medicine is available as a liquid that is taken by mouth.
Consult your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after seven days, or if they get worse during treatment with this medicine.
Before using Gaviscon liquid sachets
This medicine may not be suitable for everyone and some people must never take it. Check the leaflet that comes with your medicine to make sure that the medicine is suitable before taking it.
Always get advice from a healthcare professional before taking this medicine if:
- you are allergic or sensitive to or have had a reaction to any of the ingredients in the medicine
- this medicine is for a child under 12 years of age
- you are on a low salt diet
- you have high levels of calcium in your blood or kidneys
- you are prone to kidney stones
- you have very low levels of stomach acid
Medicines interactions
If you are taking more than one medicine they may interact with each other. Before taking this medicine consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines including vitamins, supplements and herbal or complementary preparations.
The following medicines may interact with this medicine:
- beta-blockers such as atenolol, metoprolol or propranolol
- tetracyclines
- penicillamine
- digoxin
- chloroquine
- ketoconazole
- H2 antihistamines
- glucocorticoids
- fluoroquinolone
- iron salts
- diphosphonates
- thyroxine
- antipsychotics
Possible side effects of Gaviscon liquid sachets
Most medicines can cause some side-effects but not everyone taking the same medicine will get the same side-effects.
The following side-effects have been associated with people taking this medicine:
- allergic reactions such as urticaria or bronchospasm
- anaphylactic reactions
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
This medicine is not known to cause any problems during pregnancy or while breast-feeding. However, as with all medicines, you should seek medical advice from your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Other important information
Make sure that you read the leaflet that comes with your medicine to check what dose you should take and if there is anything that you need to do if you take more than the recommended dose. If you are in any doubt about whether this medicine is suitable for you, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
This medicine may affect the absorption of other medicines if taken at the same time. If you are taking other medicines you should take this medicine at least two hours apart from them.
Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
