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Preparations:
Liquid Suspension: Regular Strength (Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Carbonate)
Gaviscon Infant: Sodium alginate, magnesium alginate.
Things to
be aware of:
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Gives instant and soothing relief from heartburn and indigestion.
- Aniseed or peppermint flavour.
- In addition to the acid-neutralizing ingredients found in Gaviscon, it contains an "alginate" (alginic acid + sodium bicarbonate). When chewed (Gaviscon tablets) or swallowed (Gaviscon liquid), the combination of the alginic acid and bicarbonate creates a foam barrier or "raft" which floats on the stomach acid. This raft foam barrier helps reduce the number of reflux episodes and provides longer lasting action against "heartburn" than ordinary antacid products. If reflux occurs, this raft foam barrier is the first to contact the esophageal mucosa, and thus provides protection against the acid-pepsin gastric contents.
- Gaviscon can be taken anytime you have heartburn, but it is best to avoid taking it before a meal. Since it forms a foam barrier that sits on top of stomach acid, the food passing through the esophagus into the stomach can disrupt this foam barrier.
- For best results, follow by drinking a half glass of water.
- Infant gaviscon also used as a thickener.
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Do not take other medications within 1 to 2 hours or more of taking other medicine by mouth . To do so may keep the other medicine from working properly.
- Do not take it for more than 2 weeks unless otherwise directed by your doctor . Antacids should be used only for occasional relief.
- Children-Antacids should not be given to young children (under 6 years of age) unless ordered by their doctor. Since children cannot usually describe their symptoms very well, a doctor should first check the child. The child may have a condition that needs other treatment. If so, antacids will not help and may even cause unwanted effects or make the condition worse. In addition, aluminum- or magnesium-containing medicines should not be given to premature or very young children because they may cause serious side effects, especially when given to children who have kidney disease or who are dehydrated.
Storage Keep out of the reach of children, store away from heat and direct light. Do not store the capsule, tablet, or lozenge form of this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. Do not freeze.
Drug
Interactions If Gaviscon are taken with certain other medications, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Gaviscon with the following:
Cellulose sodium phosphate (Calcibind), Isoniazid (Rifamate), Ketoconazole (Nizoral), Mecamylamine (Inversine), Methenamine (Mandelamine), Sodium polystyrene sulfonate resin (Kayexalate), Tetracycline antibiotics (Achromycin, Minocin)
Pediatric
Dosing Do not give to children under 6 years of age, unless directed by your doctor, though doses of 1-3 ml, at a maximum of four times a day are generally given.
Tablets, check with doctor if under 2 years old.
1 tablet 2-5 yrs,
2 tablets 6-11 years
Side Effects
Chalky taste, Constipation (mild); diarrhea or laxative effect; increased thirst; speckling or whitish discoloration of stools; stomach cramps, please discuss any unusual things with a dr, like twitching, mood changes, loss of appetite or anything out of the ordinary, severe side effects are rare.
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