Heartburn & Indigestion Relief
Have questions about a Gaviscon product? We have answers!
How does Gaviscon work?
Gastro-oesophageal reflux (also known as heartburn or reflux) occurs when the contents of the stomach escape back up into the oesophagus (food pipe). The sodium alginate in Gaviscon acts as a ‘raft’ that forms over the contents of your stomach to help relieve reflux. Gaviscon Original soothes and cools the oesophagus, effectively relieving the classic – and often painful – symptoms of heartburn, so you can feel relief.
Gaviscon Original Liquid and Gaviscon Dual Action Liquid start to provide soothing relief from the symptoms of heartburn from as little as 4 minutes.*
Gaviscon Dual Action works in two different ways to effectively relieve the symptoms of heartburn and indigestion:
- The antacid – the antacid in Gaviscon Dual Action neutralises excess stomach acid to relieve the pain and discomfort of indigestion.
- The raft – the sodium alginate in Gaviscon Dual Action forms a thick layer (think of it like a soothing ‘raft’) on top of your stomach contents. The ‘raft’ then acts as a physical barrier that helps keep your stomach contents where they belong – in your stomach – and not in your oesophagus where they can cause discomfort and burning pain.
Our Extra Strength formula is designed to relieve the pain and discomfort of heartburn and indigestion. The sodium alginate in Gaviscon Extra Strength acts as a ‘raft’ that forms over the contents of your stomach to help relieve reflux.
It’s called Gaviscon Extra Strength for a reason, as it contains double the concentration of sodium alginate compared with Gaviscon Original so you only need to take half as much.
Gaviscon Infant mixes with and stabilises stomach contents to prevent reflux and regurgitation.
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Children aged 1 year and older |
Children aged 6–12 years |
Children aged over 12 years |
Gaviscon Original Liquid |
✘ |
✔ |
✔ |
Gaviscon Original Chewable Tablets
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✘ |
✔ |
✔ |
Gaviscon Dual Action Liquid |
✘ |
✔ |
✔ |
Gaviscon Dual Action Liquid Sachets |
✘ |
✔ |
✔ |
Gaviscon Dual Action Chewable Tablets |
✘ |
✔ |
✔ |
Gaviscon Double Strength Liquid |
✘ |
✘ |
✔ |
Gaviscon Double Strength Chewable Tablets |
✘ |
✘ |
✔ |
Gaviscon Infant Powder Sachets for Regurgitation and Gastric Reflux |
✔ |
✘ |
✘ |
Your doctor is best placed to advise you on why Gaviscon may not be working, as this could be for several reasons.
How to take Gaviscon Liquid, Gaviscon Dual Action, Gaviscon Extra Strength and Gaviscon Infant
Gaviscon brings fast, soothing and long lasting relief from the pain and discomfort of heartburn (gastric reflux) and indigestion.
Dosage |
How to take |
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Liquid |
Adults and children over 12 years: 10–20 mL Children 6–12 years: 5–10 mL Not recommended for children under 6 years |
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Chewable Tablets |
Adults and children over 12 years: 2–4 tablets Children 6–12 years: 1–2 tablets Not recommended for children under 6 years |
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Gaviscon Dual Action brings fast, soothing and long-lasting relief from the pain and discomfort of heartburn (gastric reflux) and indigestion. It works in two different ways:
- Effective reduction of excess stomach acid to relieve discomfort.
- Forming a protective layer over the stomach contents to soothe the burning pain in your oesophagus.
Dosage |
How to take |
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Dual Action Liquid |
Adults and children over 12 years: 20 mL Children 6–12 years: 10 mL Not recommended for children under 6 years |
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Dual Action Liquid Sachets |
Adults and children over 12 years: 2 sachets Children 6–12 years: 1 sachet Not recommended for children under 6 years |
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Dual Action Chewable tablets |
Adults and children over 12 years: 4 tablets Children 6–12 years: 2 tablets Not recommended for children under 6 years |
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Gaviscon Extra Strength brings fast, soothing and long lasting relief from the pain and discomfort of heartburn (gastric reflux) and indigestion. It’s called Gaviscon Extra Strength for a reason, as it contains double the concentration of sodium alginate compared with Gaviscon Original so you only need to take half as much.
Dosage |
How to take |
|
Extra Strength Liquid |
Adults and children over 12 years: 5–10 mL Not recommended for children under 12 years |
|
Extra Strength Chewable Tablets |
Adults and children over 12 years: 1–2 tablets Not recommended for children under 12 years |
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Gaviscon Infant mixes with and stabilises stomach contents so preventing reflux and regurgitation.
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Dosage |
How to take |
Infant Powder Sachets for Regurgitation and Gastric Reflux |
GAVISCON INFANT IS NOT TO BE USED IN INFANTS UNDER 1 YEAR OF AGE, EXCEPT UNDER MEDICAL SUPERVISION
Sterile powder for oral administration, each sachet contains one dose
Breast-fed infants 1–2 years: Under 4.5 kg one dose Over 4.5 kg two doses Bottle-fed infants 1–2 years: Under 4.5 kg one dose Over 4.5 kg two doses
Do not give more than six times in 24 hours
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Prepare immediately before use
Breast-fed infants:
Bottle-fed infants:
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Gaviscon dosage
Gaviscon Liquid dosage
- Adults and children over 12 years: 10–20 mL
- Children 6–12 years: 5–10 mL
- Not recommended for children under 6 years
Gaviscon Chewable tablets dosage
- Adults and children over 12 years: 2–4 tablets
- Children 6–12 years: 1–2 tablets
- Not recommended for children under 6 years
Gaviscon Dual Action Liquid dosage
- Adults and children over 12 years: 20 mL
- Children 6–12 years: 10 mL
- Not recommended for children under 6 years
Gaviscon Dual Action Liquid Sachets dosage
- Adults and children over 12 years: 2 sachets
- Children 6–12 years: 1 sachet
- Not recommended for children under 6 years
Gaviscon Dual Action Chewable tablets dosage
- Adults and children over 12 years: 4 tablets
- Children 6–12 years: 2 tablets
- Not recommended for children under 6 years
Gaviscon Extra Strength Liquid dosage
- Adults and children over 12 years: 5–10 mL
- Not recommended for children under 12 years
Extra Strength Chewable Tablets dosage
- Adults and children over 12 years: 1–2 tablets
- Not recommended for children under 12 years
Gaviscon Infant Powder Sachets for Regurgitation and Gastric Reflux dosage
- GAVISCON INFANT IS NOT TO BE USED IN INFANTS UNDER 1 YEAR OF AGE, EXCEPT UNDER MEDICAL SUPERVISION
- Sterile powder for oral administration, each sachet contains one dose
- Do not give more than six times in 24 hours
- Breast-fed infants 1–2 years:
- Under 4.5 kg one dose
- Over 4.5 kg two doses
- Bottle-fed infants 1–2 years:
- Under 4.5 kg one dose in bottle feed (minimum 115 mL)
Over 4.5 kg two doses in bottle feed (minimum 225 mL)
Gaviscon side effects
If you experience any side effects with Gaviscon, seek the advice of your doctor or healthcare professional.
If you experience any side effects with Gaviscon, seek the advice of your doctor or healthcare professional.
If you experience any side effects with Gaviscon Infant, seek the advice of your doctor or healthcare professional.
Gaviscon during pregnancy
Heartburn is a common issue for pregnant women which involves acidic stomach contents being regurgitated back up the individual’s oesophagus, which can cause burning in the throat and chest. Symptoms are often worse immediately after eating or while lying down.
There are a number of everyday recommendations typically given to women who experience heartburn and wish to avoid or alleviate symptoms, including:
- Eat smaller meals
- Sleep in a more upright position
- Avoid food 2-3 hours before bed, especially acidic and spicy food
- Avoid smoking
- Drink fluids mostly between meals instead of during the meal
The first line of treatment of heartburn in pregnancy is lifestyle changes. Eating smaller meals, not eating at night, raising your bedhead, and stopping smoking are all key steps to take.
In cases of more troublesome symptoms, or if symptoms persist despite lifestyle changes, you may wish to discuss medications with your doctor. There are a variety of such medications, but antacids are a fast and effective means to alleviate your heartburn and are commonly preferred due to their rapid symptom relief.
Gaviscon Extra Strength Liquid has been shown to effectively relieve heartburn in pregnancy, with 90% of pregnant women rating it's efficacy as "good" or "very good".^
Speak to your doctor or healthcare professional if you are concerned about taking Gaviscon when pregnant or breastfeeding.
Gaviscon ingredients
The main ingredient in Gaviscon products is not an antacid. It is an ingredient called sodium alginate. Sodium alginate acts as a ‘raft’ that forms over the contents of your stomach to help relieve reflux. Gaviscon Dual Action contains a higher concentration of calcium carbonate, to help neutralise excess stomach acid.
No, Gaviscon products do not contain aluminium. The active ingredients across the range are:
Gaviscon Original range |
Gaviscon Dual Action |
Gaviscon Extra Strength |
Gaviscon Infant |
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Gaviscon liquid products contain hydroxybenzoates and saccharin. Gaviscon liquid products are gluten and sugar free.
Gaviscon chewable tablets contain aspartame, phenylalanine, and gluten from wheat (less than 20ppm). Gaviscon chewable tablets do not contain sugar
Gaviscon Infant contains gluten from wheat (less than 20ppm). Gaviscon Infant does not contain sugar.
*Strugala V, et al. J Int Med Res 2010.
^Strugala V, et al. ISRN Obstet Gynecol 2012.
RB-M-09930
NA 12960