Gaviscon® [Potassium Bicarbonate, Sodium Alginate]

Pharmacological properties

after ingestion, gaviscon quickly interacts with gastric juice, forming a layer of alginic acid gel on its surface, which has a close to neutral pH value, quickly and efficiently covers the walls of the stomach (within 4 hours), preventing the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux. in severe cases, this layer can rise to the esophagus instead of the contents of the stomach and protect the walls of the esophagus. in addition, data obtained in vitro showed that the gel layer has a secondary effect and is able to retain bile and pepsin in its structure and thereby further protect the esophagus from these components of gastric juice.

Pharmacokinetics The mechanism of action of the drug is physical and does not depend on the level of absorption in the systemic circulation.

Indications

Gaviscon mint suspension: symptomatic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux, heartburn, including in pregnant women.

Gaviscon strawberry tablets, Gaviscon mint tablets: treatment of symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, namely: heartburn; belching sour; digestive disorders related to reflux, including during pregnancy.

Gaviscon Forte mint suspension: symptomatic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux (acidic belching, heartburn), reflux esophagitis, gastric dysfunction causing reflux: for example, after a stomach operation, as a result of a hiatal hernia, during pregnancy.

Application

Gaviscon mint suspension. for adults and children over the age of 12 years, the drug is administered orally in 10–20 ml (2–4 teaspoons) after meals and at bedtime. dose adjustment is not required in elderly patients. do not use the drug for more than 7 days. if the symptoms of the disease persist or worsen during this period, the patient must consult a doctor in order to clarify the diagnosis and correct the treatment regimen.

Children aged 6-12 years - 5-10 ml (1-2 teaspoons) after meals and at bedtime.

Gaviscon Strawberry Pills, Gaviscon Mint Pills. For adults and children over the age of 12, the drug should be administered orally by 2–4 tablets after meals and at bedtime (up to 4 times a day). Chew tablets. Do not use the drug for more than 7 days. If the symptoms of the disease persist or worsen during this period, the patient must consult a doctor in order to clarify the diagnosis and correct the treatment regimen.

Gaviscon Forte mint suspension. Adults and children over 12 years of age are prescribed the drug orally. Take 5-10 ml (1-2 teaspoons) after meals and at bedtime up to 4 times a day.

Do not use the drug for more than 7 days. If the symptoms of the disease persist or worsen during this period, the patient must consult a doctor in order to clarify the diagnosis and correct the treatment regimen.

Special categories of patients

No dose adjustment is required in elderly patients.

Impaired liver function. No dose adjustment is required.

Impaired renal function. It should be used with caution in patients who need to follow a low-salt diet.

Contraindications

Gaviscon Mint Suspension: This medicine is contraindicated in patients with known or suspected hypersensitivity to active substances or to any of the excipients, including methyl parahydroxybenzoate (e 218) and propyl parahydroxybenzoate (e 216).

Gaviscon strawberry tablets: contraindicated with increased sensitivity to any of the components of the drug.

Side effects

They are classified by frequency as follows: very often (1/10), often (from 1/100 to 1/10), infrequently (from 1/1000 to 1/100), rarely (from 1/10 000 to 1/1000) , very rarely (1/10 000) and the frequency is unknown (cannot be estimated taking into account the available data).

On the part of the immune system: very rarely - anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions, hypersensitivity reactions, such as rash, urticaria.

From the respiratory system, chest and mediastinal organs: very rarely - manifestations from the respiratory system, such as bronchospasm.

From the alimentary canal: frequency is unknown - bloating, constipation.

special instructions

If there is no improvement after 7 days, it is necessary to review the clinical picture. patients on a low-salt diet, for example, with renal failure or congestive heart failure, or with drugs that can increase potassium levels in blood plasma, it is necessary to take into account that 101 gaviscona mint suspension contains 141 mg (6.2 mmol) of sodium and in 4 tablets, gaviscon mint tablets and gaviscon strawberry tablets contain 246 mg (10.6 mmol) of sodium, in 10 ml of gaviscon fortint suspension contains 106 mg (4.6 mmol) of sodium and 78 mg (2.0 mmol) of potassium . it should also be noted that 10 ml of the suspension of the gaviscon mint suspension contains 160 mg (1.6 mmol) of calcium carbonate, 10 ml of the gaviscon fortint suspension is 200 mg (2.0 mmol) of calcium carbonate, and 4 tablets of the gaviscon mint Gaviscon tablets, strawberry tablets - 320 mg (3.2 mmol) of calcium carbonate, so it is necessary to prescribe the drug with caution to patients with hypercalcemia, nephrocalcinosis and recurring kidney stone disease due to calcium.

Gaviscon mint suspension: patients with impaired renal function should regularly monitor the level of calcium, potassium and magnesium. Gaviscon Mint Suspension, Gaviscon Forte Mint Suspension: the drug contains methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E 218) and propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E 216), which can cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed) (see CONTRAINDICATIONS).

Since Gaviscon mint tablets and Gaviscon strawberry tablets contain aspartame, it is not prescribed for patients with phenylketonuria. If there is no improvement within 7 days, consult a doctor.

Gaviscon strawberry tablets: in patients with low acidity of gastric juice, a decrease in the effectiveness of hydrochloric acid is possible.

Use during pregnancy and lactation. Clinical studies involving more than 500 pregnant women, as well as a large amount of data from post-marketing experience with the use indicate the absence of toxic effects of active substances on the newborn / infant, as well as the lack of their ability to cause congenital malformations. The drug can be used during pregnancy if there is a clinical need after consulting a doctor.

Lactation. Studies have shown no effect on newborns / infants who are breast-fed by mothers who have used this drug. The drug can be used during lactation after consulting a doctor.

Fertility. According to preclinical studies, alginate does not adversely affect the fertility or reproductive function of the studied animals or their offspring. Clinical data do not indicate the presence of an effect on human fertility.

The ability to influence the reaction rate when driving vehicles or working with other mechanisms. The drug does not affect the ability to drive vehicles and work with other mechanisms.

Children. For children under 6 years of age, the drug is contraindicated. In children under the age of 12, the drug can be used only as directed and under the supervision of a doctor. Gaviscon mint suspension is indicated for children over 6 years old.

Interactions

Due to the presence of calcium carbonate, which acts as an antacid, between taking gaviscon and taking other drugs, especially n-histamine receptor blockers, tetracyclines, digoxin, fluoroquinolone, iron salts, ketaconazole, antipsychotics, thyroxine, penicillamine, β-adrenergic blockers (atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol), corticosteroids, chloroquine, diphosphonates and estramustine, must pass at least 2 hours

Overdose

It happens very rarely and manifests itself in the form of discomfort and a feeling of bloating.

Stop using the drug and conduct symptomatic therapy.

Storage conditions

Suspension - at a temperature not exceeding 30 ° C. Do not store in the refrigerator. do not freeze. after the first opening of the vial, keep no more than 6 months. gaviscon mint tablets - at a temperature of no higher than 30 ° C, gaviscon strawberry tablets - at a temperature of no higher than 25 ° c.