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:

  1. The antacid – the antacid in Gaviscon Dual Action neutralises excess stomach acid to relieve the pain and discomfort of indigestion.
  2. 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 (gastric reflux) 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.

Gaviscon Extra Strength 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.

 

Children aged 1 year and older

Children aged 6–12 years

Children aged over 12 years

Gaviscon Original Liquid

Gaviscon Original Chewable Tablets

 

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

Liquid

Adults and children over 12 years: 10–20 mL

Children 6–12 years: 5–10 mL

Not recommended for children under 6 years

  • Ensure cap seal is unbroken before first use
  • Shake well before use
  • Take as required after meals and before going to bed, up to 4 times a day or as directed
  • If symptoms persist see your doctor

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

  • Chew tablets thoroughly before swallowing and follow with water if desired
  • Take as required after meals and before going to bed, up to 4 times a day or as directed
  • If symptoms persist see your doctor

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:

  1. Effective reduction of excess stomach acid to relieve discomfort.
  2. Forming a protective layer over the stomach contents to soothe the burning pain in your oesophagus.
 

Dosage

How to take

Dual Action Liquid

Adults and children over 12 years: 20 mL

Children 6–12 years: 10 mL

Not recommended for children under 6 years

  • Ensure cap seal is unbroken before first use
  • Shake well before use
  • Take as required after meals and before going to bed, up to 4 times a day or as directed
  • If symptoms persist see your doctor

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

  • Ensure sachet seal is unbroken
  • Massage sachet well and tear across the perforated line. Squeeze liquid from sachet either directly into mouth or onto a spoon
  • Take as required after meals and before going to bed, up to 4 times a day or as directed
  • If symptoms persist see your doctor

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

  • Ensure blister pack is unbroken before first use
  • Chew tablets thoroughly before swallowing and follow with water if desired
  • Take as required after meals and before going to bed, up to 4 times a day or as directed
  • If symptoms persist see your doctor
Gaviscon Extra Strength provides effective relief from the pain and discomfort of heartburn (gastric reflux) and acid indigestion.

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

  • Ensure cap seal is unbroken before first use
  • Shake well before use
  • Take as required after meals and before going to bed, up to 4 times a day or as directed
  • If symptoms persist see your doctor

Extra Strength Chewable Tablets

Adults and children over 12 years: 1–2 tablets

Not recommended for children under 12 years

  • Chew tablets thoroughly before swallowing and follow with water if desired
  • Take as required after meals and before going to bed, up to 4 times a day or as directed
  • If symptoms persist see your doctor

Gaviscon Infant mixes with and stabilises stomach contents so preventing reflux and regurgitation.

 

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

 

Prepare immediately before use

 

Breast-fed infants:

  • Add 5 mL of cooled, boiled water to the powder in a glass
  • Mix to a smooth paste and add another 10 mL of water to the mix
  • Give after each feed using a spoon or feeding bottle

 

Bottle-fed infants:

  • Mix powder into not less than 115 mL (one dose) or 225 mL (two doses) of each feed in the bottle and shake well

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

Gaviscon 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 12 years:
    • Under 4.5 kg one dose
    • Over 4.5 kg two doses
  • Bottle-fed infants 12 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 Double 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 Double Strength

Gaviscon Infant

  • Calcium carbonate
  • Sodium bicarbonate
  • Sodium alginate
  • Calcium carbonate
  • Sodium bicarbonate
  • Sodium alginate
  • Calcium carbonate
  • Potassium bicarbonate (liquid) or sodium bicarbonate (tablets)
  • Sodium alginate
  • Magnesium alginate
  • Sodium alginate

 

Gaviscon liquid products contain hydroxybenzoates and saccharin. Gaviscon chewable tablets contain aspartame and phenylalanine. Gaviscon products do not contain sugar or gluten.

Gaviscon Infant is sugar-free.

*Strugala V, et al. J Int Med Res 2010.

^Strugala V, et al. ISRN Obstet Gynecol 2012.

 

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