Gaviscon drug is intended to alleviate the effects of excess stomach acid, including indigestion, heartburn, and stomach discomfort.
Antacids made of aluminium and magnesium start to reduce stomach acid immediately. A lot of the time, liquid antacids are more effective than pills or capsules.
Only the stomach’s already-existing acid is what this drug combats. It does not stop the generation of acid. It may be used either on its own or in combination with other drugs (such as proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole and H2 blockers like cimetidine/ranitidine) that reduce acid production.
How to use Gaviscon
Use this medicine as required before sleep and after meals by mouth. Observe all the instructions on the product’s container or use as your doctor instructs. Ask your physician or [mfn]pharmacist[/mfn] if you have any queries.
Before eating the [mfn]chewable pills[/mfn], if you’re using them, give them a good chew, and then sip a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 millilitres).
Shake the container of this medicine well before taking each dosage if you are using the liquid version. The taste of the suspension could be enhanced by cooling it. Avoid freezing.
It’s recommended to take the liquid form on its own, devoid of other liquids. If necessary, you may add a little water to your dosage.
Tetracycline antibiotics, quinolone antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, pazopanib, digoxin, iron, and other drugs may interact with this product and prevent them from being properly absorbed by your body.
To avoid this issue, discuss the best time to take your prescriptions with your doctor or pharmacist.
Read also: What is the Active Ingredient in Dimetapp?
Gaviscon ingredients include:
- Active Ingredient (in each tablet): Aluminum hydroxide 160mg. …
- Inactive ingredients: Acesulfame k, alginic acid, artificial flavour, calcium stearate, corn starch, corn syrup solids, mannitol, sodium bicarbonate, stearic acid, and sucrose.
- Other Information: Each tablet contains: magnesium 35mg, of and sodium 20mg of.
Side Effects of Gaviscon
This medicine may result in headaches, nausea, constipation, or diarrhoea. Tell your doctor if the symptoms persist or become worse.
If your doctor has prescribed this medicine for you, keep in mind that he or she has determined that the benefit to you outweighs the danger of adverse effects. Many users of this medicine report no significant negative effects.
This product’s magnesium content may make you sick. Combining this medication with an antacid that solely contains aluminium may help manage diarrhoea. Constipation may result from this product’s aluminium content.
Exercise and consume a lot of water to reduce constipation. With this product, diarrhoea is more typical than constipation.
In the intestines, antacids containing aluminium bond to phosphate, a significant bodily molecule. Low phosphate levels may result from this, particularly if you take this drug often and for an extended period of time.
If you have any of the following signs of low phosphate, call your doctor straight away: appetite loss, unusual exhaustion, and physical weakness.
If you have any of these unlikely but dangerous adverse effects, such as dizziness or fainting, call your doctor immediately once.
Black/tarry stools, slow/shallow breathing, slow/irregular heartbeat, mental/mood changes (such as disorientation), deep sleep, difficulty with urination, stomach/abdominal pain, or vomit that resembles coffee grounds are all unusual but extremely dangerous side effects or indicators of a major medical condition.
Rarely may this medication cause a very significant allergic response. However, if you have any signs of a major allergic response, such as a rash, itching or swelling (particularly of the face, tongue, or throat), severe dizziness, or difficulty breathing, you should seek emergency medical assistance.
Gaviscon Precautions
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any allergies before using this medication, especially if you are sensitive to magnesium or aluminium hydroxide.
Inactive chemicals in this product have the potential to trigger allergic reactions or other issues. To learn more, speak with your pharmacist.
Before taking this medication, speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any of the following health issues: frequent alcohol use, fluid restriction and renal issues (including kidney stones).
This medication could include aspartame. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice on how to use this medication safely if you have phenylketonuria (PKU) or any other condition that requires you to limit your consumption of aspartame (or phenylalanine).
This drug should only be used during pregnancy if absolutely necessary. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of your doctor.
This drug could enter breast milk. Before breastfeeding, speak with your doctor.
Interactions
Drug interactions might alter how your drugs function or raise the possibility of major negative side effects. All probable medication interactions are not included in this text. Keep a list of everything you take, including herbal items, prescription and over-the-counter medications, and provide it to your doctor and pharmacist. Without your doctor’s consent, never start, stop, or alter the dose of any medications.
Supplements containing phosphates, such as potassium phosphate, and sodium polystyrene sulfonate are a few of the goods that might interact with this medication.
Many additional medications’ ability to be absorbed may be hampered by antacid use. Before using antacids with any other prescription, be careful to see your pharmacist.
Taking it Overdose
Call 911 if someone has overdosed and is exhibiting significant symptoms like fainting out or difficulty breathing. If not, immediately dial a poison control hotline.
Note:
The efficacy of this drug may be increased by adopting a healthier lifestyle, including stress management techniques, quitting smoking, drinking less alcohol, and modifying one’s diet to cut down on caffeine, fatty foods, and some spices. Discuss any potential lifestyle changes with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you are taking this medication on a regular basis and forget to take a dosage, do so right away. Skip the missed dosage if it is almost time for the subsequent dose. At the scheduled time, take your subsequent dosage. To catch up, do not increase the dosage.
Refer to the package’s printed storage instructions. Consult your pharmacist if you have any queries regarding storage. shield against moisture and light. Avoid freezing. Keep out of the bathroom. Keep children and pets away from any medication items.
Unless specifically directed to do so, avoid flushing drugs down the toilet or pour them into drains. When the product is no longer required or has expired, dispose of it properly.
For further information on how to properly dispose of your product, speak with your pharmacist or the neighbourhood waste management firm.
Conclusion:
The active components in each 10 mL of oral solution are 200 mg of potassium bicarbonate and 1000 mg of sodium alginate.
Other constituents include calcium carbonate, carbomer, sodium saccharin, sodium hydroxide, peppermint flavour, and filtered water. Methyl (E218) and propyl (E216) hydroxybenzoate are also present. Gaviscon Advance is devoid of gluten and added sugar.