Aine Sawyer
Heartburn and indigestion are common issues during pregnancy, affecting up to 80% of pregnant women. Gaviscon Double Action Tablets are designed to provide relief from these symptoms by forming a protective barrier over the stomach contents and neutralising excess stomach acid. While Gaviscon has not been specifically studied for use during pregnancy, its active ingredients have been proven safe for pregnant women and it is recommended by doctors and pharmacists. However, it is always advisable to consult a doctor or midwife before taking any medication during pregnancy, including Gaviscon.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety during pregnancy | Gaviscon has not been studied for use during pregnancy, but the active ingredients have been proven safe for use during pregnancy. |
| Side effects | There are no known or expected adverse events associated with the use of Gaviscon when taken as directed. |
| Dosage | Adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over should chew two to four tablets after meals and at bedtime as needed, up to four times a day. |
| Precautions | Gaviscon should not be taken if you are allergic to any of its ingredients, on a low-salt diet, have high levels of calcium in your blood or kidneys, prone to kidney stones, have very low levels of stomach acid, or have phenylketonuria (PKU). |
| Interactions with other medications | Gaviscon should not be taken within 2 hours of another medication, including iron supplements. |
| Lifestyle changes | Eating smaller meals, sleeping in a more upright position, and avoiding spicy and acidic foods can help alleviate heartburn during pregnancy. |
What You'll Learn
Gaviscon Double Action is safe to take during pregnancy
Heartburn and indigestion are common issues during pregnancy, affecting up to 80% of pregnant women. The surge in the hormone progesterone causes muscles to relax, including the sphincter at the entrance to the stomach, allowing stomach acids to travel back up into the oesophagus and cause heartburn. During the later stages of pregnancy, the baby's physical pressure on the woman's digestive tract can also contribute to these symptoms.
Gaviscon Double Action works in two ways to relieve the symptoms of heartburn and indigestion. Firstly, the sodium alginate forms a thick layer, or 'raft', on top of the stomach contents, acting as a physical barrier to keep them in the stomach and prevent reflux into the oesophagus. Secondly, the antacid neutralises excess stomach acid to relieve the pain and discomfort of indigestion.
It is important to note that Gaviscon Double Action contains sodium and calcium. Therefore, it may not be suitable for those on a strict salt or sodium-restricted diet or those with high calcium levels in their blood or a history of kidney stones. Always read the label and consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns or are taking other medications.
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Gaviscon Advance Liquid is recommended for pregnant women
Heartburn is a common issue for pregnant women, with up to 80% suffering from it at some point during their pregnancy. The condition involves acidic stomach contents being regurgitated back up the oesophagus, causing a burning sensation in the throat and chest. While it is harmless to both mother and baby, it can be extremely uncomfortable.
Gaviscon Advance Liquid has been shown to be safe and effective in treating heartburn during pregnancy. A study found that 90% of pregnant women rated the effectiveness of Gaviscon Advance Liquid as "good" or "very good". It is important to note that while Gaviscon Advance Liquid is generally considered safe, pregnant women should always consult their doctor, pharmacist, or midwife before taking any medication, especially if they have a pre-existing medical condition or are taking other medications.
In addition to medication, there are also lifestyle changes that can help alleviate heartburn during pregnancy. These include sleeping in a more upright position, avoiding food close to bedtime, and making dietary changes such as cutting out spicy and acidic foods.
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Gaviscon Double Action provides relief from heartburn and indigestion
Heartburn and indigestion are common issues during pregnancy, with up to 80% of pregnant women experiencing these symptoms. The surge in the hormone progesterone causes muscles to relax, including the sphincter at the entrance to the stomach, allowing stomach acids to travel back up into the oesophagus and cause heartburn. During the later stages of pregnancy, the growing baby bump can also put physical pressure on the woman's digestive tract, leading to similar symptoms.
Gaviscon Double Action provides fast dual relief from heartburn and indigestion. It is formulated to work in two ways:
- Through its antacid component, Gaviscon Double Action neutralises excess stomach acid to help relieve discomfort.
- Through the alginate (refined from seaweed), it forms a protective barrier over the stomach contents to soothe the burning sensation in the chest and help prevent reflux. This barrier is a thick layer, known as a raft, that acts as a physical barrier to keep stomach contents in the stomach and prevent them from travelling back up into the food pipe.
Gaviscon Double Action is available in both tablet and liquid form and is suitable for adults and children aged 12 and over. It is recommended to take two to four tablets or 10-20ml of the liquid after meals and at bedtime, up to four times a day. If symptoms persist after seven days, consult your doctor.
While Gaviscon is generally considered safe during pregnancy, it is always recommended to speak to your doctor, pharmacist, or midwife before taking any medication, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition or are taking other medications.
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Gaviscon is not known to cause any issues during pregnancy
Heartburn and indigestion are common issues during pregnancy, with up to 80% of pregnant women experiencing these symptoms. This is due to the surge in the hormone progesterone, which causes muscles to relax, including the ring of muscle at the entrance to the stomach. This relaxation allows stomach acids to travel back up into the oesophagus, causing heartburn. During the later stages of pregnancy, the baby can also physically put pressure on the woman's digestive tract, causing similar issues.
Gaviscon is a well-known over-the-counter remedy for heartburn and indigestion. It is not known to cause any issues during pregnancy, and the manufacturer states that Gaviscon Advance Liquid and Gaviscon Advance Tablets are specially formulated for pregnant women. However, it is always recommended to speak to a doctor, pharmacist, or midwife before taking any medication during pregnancy, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition or are taking other medication.
Gaviscon Advance has two main ingredients: sodium alginate and potassium hydrogen carbonate. Sodium alginate forms a gel-like layer on top of the stomach acid, acting as a physical barrier to prevent reflux and protect the stomach lining and oesophagus. Potassium hydrogen carbonate helps to neutralise excess acid and protect the stomach from irritation. According to the manufacturer, Gaviscon Advance has been formulated to ensure it does not enter the bloodstream.
Other Gaviscon products, such as Gaviscon Original and Gaviscon Double Action, contain sodium alginate, sodium bicarbonate, and calcium carbonate. While these products are also effective in treating heartburn and indigestion, they may not be specifically designed for pregnant women. It is important to read the labels and follow the directions for use.
In addition to medication, there are several lifestyle changes that can help alleviate heartburn during pregnancy. These include eating smaller meals, avoiding food close to bedtime, sleeping in a more upright position, and reducing spicy, acidic, and oily foods.
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Gaviscon should not be taken with other medications
Gaviscon is generally considered safe to take during pregnancy, but it is always recommended that you consult your doctor or midwife before taking any medication while pregnant, especially if you are already taking other medications.
Gaviscon can react with other medications, preventing them from being fully absorbed by your body. It is important to note that some medicines must not be taken at the same time as Gaviscon. This is because the two medicines can affect how the other works.
For example, Gaviscon should not be taken within two hours before or after taking certain antibiotics (quinolones and tetracyclines), medicines to treat fungal infections, beta-blockers, penicillamine, steroids, antipsychotic medicines, chloroquine, estramustine, and bisphosphonates.
Additionally, while it is safe to take Gaviscon with paracetamol, it should not be taken with other painkillers like ibuprofen or aspirin without first consulting your doctor or pharmacist. Gaviscon may also interact with iron supplements, so it is recommended to space out the doses of these medications if you need to take both.
If you are taking any other medications, it is important to consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking Gaviscon to ensure there are no harmful interactions.
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Frequently asked questions
While Gaviscon has not been studied for use during pregnancy, its active ingredients have been proven safe for use during this time. Gaviscon is also non-systemic, meaning it does not enter the bloodstream. There have been no reported adverse effects on fetal development from the active alginate compounds in Gaviscon. However, it is always advised that you consult your doctor before taking any medication during pregnancy.
Gaviscon Dual Action works in two ways to relieve the symptoms of heartburn and indigestion. Firstly, the antacid neutralises excess stomach acid to relieve the pain and discomfort of indigestion. Secondly, the sodium alginate forms a thick layer (known as a raft) on top of the stomach contents. This acts as a physical barrier to keep stomach contents in the stomach and prevent them from travelling up to the oesophagus, where they can cause a burning pain.
Gaviscon should be taken at the first sign of acid reflux or heartburn symptoms. It is best to avoid taking it before a meal as food can disrupt the foam barrier it creates and compromise its effectiveness. You can eat or drink again as soon as your symptoms subside, but this may also reduce the benefits of Gaviscon.
There are no known or expected adverse events associated with the use of Gaviscon when taken as directed. However, Gaviscon Liquid contains aluminium, which may cause constipation, and Gaviscon Tablets contain magnesium, which may cause diarrhoea. These conditions are very rare and would usually be associated with a very large dose.
