Is Gaviscon really safe for my acid reflux? What every GERD patient should know

Is Gaviscon really safe for my acid reflux? What every GERD patient should know

“Is Gaviscon really safe for my acid reflux?”

I asked myself the same thing when I first heard about the drug from a friend. Her description was of a liquid antacid that tastes good (I don't know how it does for me...sort of) and is pretty effectiveRelieve symptoms of acid reflux, GERD or heartburn.

Sounds good, I thought to myself. But I'm not the person who jumps easily into newer medications, especially those that you need to take regularly. If you're like me, I usually do my research and get the facts straight and just don't trust any doctor's advice. I even have my own take on other medications like the purple pill (Nexium), Maalox and other antacids (even TUMS).

I think it's a natural reaction for me to ask if Gaviscon is really safe for my acid reflux. Does it actually do what it claims to do? Or are there better alternatives?

Here's what I found that I believe every single person suffering from the above digestive issues should know. This is quite a long article, but the information found here is invaluable:

First, Gaviscon is an antacid that helps treat indigestion, heartburn, stomach ulcers, hiatal hernias, as well as reflux esophagitis. In generic form it is aluminum with magnesium hydroxide. It is said to help by neutralizing stomach acid while creating a viscous material that floats on stomach contents.

That piqued my curiosity. The purpose of this viscous material is to serve as a barrier to prevent acid reflux. Think of it as a protective shield.

It also claims to help treat other forms of stomach ulcers and can prevent them from bleeding. I have had ulcers before, but when I learned about this medicine, they were already cured with safer and natural methods. My biggest concern at the time was my GERD.

I learned that although Gaviscon is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication (meaning it is readily available at most drugstores), it is still best to seek a doctor's recommendation. He may think you're an oddball (like me) since it's classified as an antacid, but there's no harm in asking. He also receives a consultation fee.

If you are a pregnant or nursing mother, DO NOT take this medication. It is also important that you are not allergic to any of its ingredients or those containing aluminum or magnesium. Also tell your doctor if you or a family member have had or have liver or kidney disease or appendicitis. And it is NOT advisable to take Gaviscon for your GERD if you are both old and have Alzheimer's.

Gaviscon may also change the effects of other medications you are taking. A hard list includes Nizoral, Mandelamine, Rifamat and tetracycline antibiotics. If you ask me, even if these other medications are not prescribed or consist of vitamins or supplements, you still need the advice of your wise doctor.

There should be no side effects or complications if you follow the above precautions well. However, keep in mind that when taking this medicine, the only thing you should remember is that it can cause dizziness. Therefore, you should not drive or operate heavy machinery after taking it. Once after dinner and eating the wrong type of food (spicy pasta) I had no choice but to take it. I was a little dizzy, but I still managed to drive. I believe the effect varies from person to person.

For knowledge, the most common side effects include “dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth and diarrhea.” If any of these side effects occur while taking Gaviscon, you should consult your doctor immediately.

I'm sure you're also asking if there is such a thing asGaviscon overdose. The answer to that is definite, just like all drugs. Therefore you should only use the recommended dosage. If you think you have had an overdose, contact your doctor immediately. Overdose symptoms include “drowsiness, dizziness, stomach problems, weakness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and loss of consciousness.” Never take a double dose at the same time...even if the packaging is pleasing to the eye and tastes good to you, like me.

If you want to know the most important thing to rememberGaviscon for GERDis that because it is an antacid, it should not be taken for longer than 2 weeks or in larger doses than those recommended. All antacids (chewable or liquid form) should only be used for temporary relief of acid reflux or heartburn symptoms.

Over the course of my battle with acid reflux and GERD, I have discovered that Gaviscon, along with other common prescription medications, should typically only be taken for emergencies. If you want permanent relief and even cure your condition, traditional methods will not be of any help to you at all. At best you can take them for a week, but this is frankly nothing more than a “band-aid” approach that masks the symptoms rather than focusing on the root cause.

You just need to read and remember all the side effects, precautions, overdose warnings and important things to remember about Gaviscon and you are obviously intelligent enough to know that if you are not careful you can easily cause another disease or health problem in your body because of this drug. This is one of those things that drug companies don't want people like you and me to know about...even though it's already on the horizon.

If you want an honest recommendation, take Gaviscon for your acid reflux if you have taken all the necessary precautions and if you must. Take it consistently for no more than a week and then only for emergencies. But find safer and more natural ways to treat your disease. You won't regret it.

Inspired by Richard Alden