Gaviscon for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
This leaflet is about the use of gaviscon for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
This leaflet has been written specifically about the use of this medicine in children. The information may differ from that provided by the manufacturer. Please read this leaflet carefully. Keep it somewhere safe so that you can read it again.
Name of drug
Gaviscon is a mixture of sodium alginate and potassium bicarbonate.
Common brands: Gaviscon®, Gaviscon Advance®, Gaviscon Infant®
Why is it important for my child to take this medicine?
Gaviscon forms a layer over the surface of your child’s stomach contents. This stops the stomach contents from coming back up into the food pipe (reflux), which can be painful.
What is gaviscon available as?
- Chewable tablets: 500 mg sodium alginate and 100 mg potassium bicarbonate (peppermint flavoured); these contain aspartame
- Liquid medicine: 500 mg sodium alginate and 100 mg potassium bicarbonate per 5 mL (aniseed or peppermint flavoured)
- Sachets of powder: each dose unit contains 225 mg sodium alginate and 87.5 mg magnesium alginate
When should I give gaviscon?
- Gavsicon is usually given straight after each meal and at bedtime.
- You should wait at least 2 hours between doses.
How much should I give?
Your doctor will work out the amount of gaviscon (the dose) that is right for your child. The dose will be shown on the medicine label.
It is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions about how much to give.
How should I give it?
Tablets: Your child should chew the tablet thoroughly and then swallow it.
Liquid medicine: Measure out the right amount using a medicine spoon or oral syringe. You can get these from your pharmacist. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount.
Sachet of powder: Open the sachet just before use. Your doctor will tell you how much of the powder to use; this will also be shown on the medicine label.
Sachets of powder
- For breast-fed babies, mix the right amount of powder with 5 mL of cooled boiled water to make a smooth paste, then mix in another 10 mL of water. Give this to your baby after the feed, using a spoon.
- For bottle-fed babies you can add the right amount of powder into the formula feed in the bottle. Shake the bottle well before feeding your baby.
- For babies weighing up to 4.5 kg (10 lb), mix the powder into at least 115 mL of formula feed.
- For babies weighing more than 4.5 kg (10 lb), mix the right amount of powder into at least 225 mL of formula feed.
When should the medicine start working?
Gaviscon should stop any reflux after about 30 minutes.
What if my child is sick (vomits)?
- If your child is sick less than 30 minutes after having a dose of gaviscon, give them the same dose again.
- If your child is sick more than 30 minutes after having a dose of gaviscon, you do not need to give them another dose. Wait until the next normal dose.
What if I forget to give it?
If you miss a dose, you can give the missed dose up to an hour after the meal. But this should be at least 2 hours before the next dose.
What if I give too much?
Gaviscon is unlikely to cause any harm if you give an extra dose by mistake, but your child may feel bloated for a few hours.
If you are worried, contact your doctor or NHS Direct (0845 4647). Have the packet with you if you telephone for advice.
Are there any possible side-effects?
We use medicines to make our children better, but sometimes they have other effects that we don’t want (side-effects).
Your child is unlikely to have any side-effects from gaviscon.
Can other medicines be given at the same time as gaviscon?
- You can give your child medicines that contain paracetamol or ibuprofen, unless your doctor has told you not to.
- Check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving any other medicines to your child. This includes herbal or complementary medicines.
Is there anything else I need to know about gaviscon?
Gaviscon should not be used with agents that are used to thicken milk (e.g. Nestargel, Carobel) or with special infant milk preparations that are already thickened (e.g. Enfamil AR, SMA Staydown). This will make the stomach contents too thick, which will make your child feel bloated and uncomfortable.
- If your child has fever (temperature of 38°C or higher), diarrhoea, vomiting or is on a low-salt diet, check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving gaviscon, because there is a risk that your child may become dehydrated.
General advice about medicines
- Try to give medicine at about the same times each day, to help you remember.
- Only give this medicine to your child. Never give it to anyone else, even if their condition appears to be the same, as this could do harm.
- If you think someone else may have taken the medicine by accident, contact your doctor for advice.
- Make sure that the medicine you have at home has not reached the ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date on the packaging. Give old medicines to your pharmacist to dispose of.
Where I should keep this medicine?
- Keep the medicine in a cupbord, away from heat and direct sunlight. Gaviscon should not be kept in the fridge.
- Make sure that children cannot see or reach the medicine.
- Keep the medicine in the container it came in.
Who to contact for more information
Your doctor, pharmacist or nurse will be able to give you more information about gaviscon and about other medicines used to treat gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
You can also get useful information from:
- NHS Direct (England)
0845 46 47
Website: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk - NHS 24 (Scotland)
08454 24 24 24 - NHS Direct (Wales/Galw lechyd Cymru)
0845 46 47 - NHS NI (Northern Ireland)
0845 46 47
Publication Date
8/12/2011
Copyright Disclaimer
Version 1.2, March 2011. © NPPG, RCPCH and WellChild 2010, all rights reserved. Reviewed by: March 2013.
We have written this leaflet to help you understand more about the medicine you are giving to your child. We take great care to make sure that the information is correct and up-to-date. However, medicines can be used in different ways for different patients. It is therefore important that you follow the advice of your doctor or pharmacist, as they understand your child’s illness. If you are not sure about something, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Note that this leaflet applies to the use of medicines in the UK; it may not apply in other countries. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), The Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group (NPPG), WellChild and the contributors and editors cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information, omissions of information, or any actions that may be taken as a consequence of reading the leaflet.