Gaviscon Double Action Chewable Peppermint Tablets – 24

Gaviscon Double Action Tablets Gaviscon Double Action Peppermint Tablets bring relief from the pain and discomfort of heartburn and acid indigestion. They get to work in two different ways: Neutralising excess stomach acid to relieve pain and discomfort (white layer) Forming a protective barrier over the stomach contents to soothe the burning pain in your chest (pink layer) Dosage: For oral administration. Chew thouroughly before swallowing. Adults, the elderly and children anges 12 and over: when symptoms occur take 2-4 tablets after meals and at bed time up to four times a day. Children under the age of 12: Should only be taken on medical advice. Main use Active ingredient Manufacturer Heartburn Sodium alginate, sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate Reckitt Benckiser How does Gaviscon Double Action work? Gaviscon double action tablets and liquid both contain three active ingredients: sodium alginate, sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate. The three active ingredients of Gaviscon double action work together to relieve the symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux, such as heartburn and indigestion. Gastro-oesophageal reflux is stomach acid flowing from the stomach back into the food pipe (oesophagus). Various conditions can cause reflux as a result of the pressure they exert on the stomach, for example, pregnancy and hiatus hernia. It can also occur following meals. Reflux can cause symptoms such as indigestion, acid regurgitation, or the painful burning sensation of heartburn. Over long periods of time the acid can also damage and inflame the lining of the foodpipe. This condition is known as reflux oesophagitis. The active ingredients of Gaviscon double action are not absorbed into the bloodstream. Instead they work by forming a “raft” that floats on the surface of the stomach contents, physically preventing the acid from flowing back into the foodpipe. Sodium alginate is a naturally occuring substance that is found in a particular type of seaweed. In the presence of the calcium carbonate it reacts with the acid in the stomach to form a gel. Sodium bicarbonate also reacts with the acid in the stomach to form bubbles of carbon dioxide. These bubbles are trapped by the gel and they allow the gel to float like a raft on top of the stomach contents. The raft prevents acid in the stomach from flowing back into the food pipe. This relieves the symptoms of reflux such as heartburn. The raft lasts for about three to four hours on top of the stomach contents and is then broken down in the digestive system and excreted in the faeces. Gaviscon double action products contain more calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate per dose than original Gaviscon products. The larger quantites of these ingredients in Gaviscon double action act as antacids, which means they bind to and neutralise excess acid in the stomach. This produces the double action to help relieve heartburn and indigestion. What is it used for? Relieving the symptoms of gastro-oesophegal reflux, such as heartburn, indigestion and acid regurgitation. Warning! Gaviscon double action tablets and liquid contain sodium and may not suitable for people who are on a strict salt or sodium restricted diet, for example those with heart or kidney disease. Ask your pharmacist for advice. Gaviscon double action tablets and liquid also contain calcium and may not be suitable for people who have a high level of calcium in their blood (hypercalcaemia), or who suffer from calcium-containing kidney stones. If symptoms persist after treatment, seek medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Not to be used in Gaviscon double action tablets and liquid are not recomended for children under 12 years of age. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for further advice. Gaviscon double action tablets contain aspartame and are not suitable for people with phenylketonuria. This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately. Pregnancy and breastfeeding Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine. This medicine is not absorbed into the bloodstream and there are no known harmful effects when it is used during pregnancy. It is commonly used for relieving heartburn in pregnant women. There are no known harmful effects when this medicine is used by breastfeeding mothers. Side effects Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect. Very rare (affect less than 1 in 10,000 people) Allergic reactions such as an itchy rash (urticaria), breathing difficulties due to a narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm) or anaphylaxis. The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine’s manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist. How can Gaviscon Double action affect other medicines? Gaviscon Double Action is not known to affect any other medicines. However, as with all medicines, if you are already taking any other medicines you should always check with your pharmacist before taking this one as well. Antacids should not normally be taken within two hours of taking any other medicines, as they could affect the absorption of other medicines into the bloodstream.