Gaviscon

Gaviscon is not suitable for everyone. For example, if you need a low-salt diet or have kidney, liver or heart disease, check with a doctor.

Most people who take Gaviscon do not have any side effects. In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction.

Gaviscon can be taken during pregnancy.

It can cause problems to take Gaviscon with some other medicines, such as antihistamines, beta blockers and steroids.

Most adults and children 12 years old and over can take Gaviscon.

Children under 12 years old can only take it if it's been prescribed by a doctor.

Gaviscon is not suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting it if you have:

• ever had an allergic reaction to Gaviscon or any other medicine
• been advised to eat a low calcium or low salt (low sodium) diet
• kidney, liver or heart disease
• a rare, inherited illness called phenylketonuria
• low levels of phosphate in your blood

Gaviscon should only be given to children under 12 years if it’s been prescribed or recommended by a doctor.

Gaviscon is a very safe medicine. Most people who take it do not have any side effects. If you do get a side effect, it's likely to be mild and will go away when you stop taking Gaviscon.

It’s rare, but the ingredients in some types of Gaviscon may be more likely to make you feel sick or cause vomiting, constipation or diarrhoea.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any side effects that bother you or do not go away.

You can take Gaviscon while you're pregnant. It's important to follow the instructions and not take more than the recommended amount.

If Gaviscon is not working, ask your pharmacist or see your doctor, as another medicine may be better.

Making lifestyle changes while you're taking Gaviscon can also help.

For example, it can help to:

• eat smaller meals more often
• avoid fatty or spicy foods
• lie with your head raised (with pillows, or by raising the head of your bed), instead of lying flat

You can take Gaviscon while you're breastfeeding. It should not cause any side effects in your baby.

There are some medicines that can affect the way Gaviscon works.

Do not take Gaviscon within 2 hours before or after taking:

• antihistamines
• some antibiotics (quinolones and tetracyclines)
• iron tablets
• medicines to treat fungal infections
• beta blockers (for heart problems)
• penicillamine (for rheumatoid arthritis)
• steroids (for inflammatory and autoimmune disorders)
• antipsychotic medicines (for mental health problems like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia)
• chloroquine (for malaria)
• estramustine (for prostate cancer)
• bisphosphonates such as alendronic acid (to treat and prevent bone problems such as osteoporosis)
• levothyroxine

If you take Gaviscon, speak to a doctor or pharmacist before starting to take any of these medicines.

These are not all the medicines that may cause problems if you take them with Gaviscon. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

Taking Gaviscon with painkillers

It's safe to take paracetamol at the same time as Gaviscon. But do not take other painkillers, like ibuprofen or aspirin, with Gaviscon without talking to your doctor or pharmacist first. These can make your symptoms worse.