“Is Gaviscon really safe for my acid reflux?”

I wondered the same thing when I first heard about the drug from a friend of mine. The description of it was a liquid antacid that tastes good (don’t know about you, to me…sort of) and is quite effective in relieve symptoms of acid reflux, GERD, or heartburn.

Sounds good to me, I thought to myself. But I’m not the person who easily jumps to newer medications, especially ones that I have 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 opinion on other medications, like the purple pill (Nexium), Maalox, and other antacids (including TUMS).

So I guess it’s a natural reaction for me to ask if Gaviscon is really safe for my acid reflux. Does he really do what he says he does? Or are there better alternatives?

This is what I found that I think every person who suffers from the above digestive problems should know. This is quite a long article, but the information found here is priceless:

First of all, Gaviscon is an antacid that helps treat acid indigestion, heartburn, peptic ulcers, hiatal hernias, and reflux esophagitis. In generic form, it is aluminum with magnesium hydroxide. It is said to help neutralize stomach acid and, at the same time, produce a slimy material that floats in the stomach contents.

Now that’s something that fueled my curiosity. The purpose of this viscous material is to serve as a barrier to prevent backflow of the acid content. 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 by the time I was introduced to this medication, they had already healed using safer, more natural methods. My biggest concern at the time was my GERD.

I learned that even though Gaviscon is an over-the-counter (OTC) drug (meaning you can get it easily at most pharmacies), it’s best to get a doctor’s recommendation. He may think you’re a freak (like me) since it’s categorized as an antacid, but there’s nothing wrong with asking. And on top of that, you get paid a consultation fee.

If you are pregnant or nursing, DO NOT take this medicine. It is also important that you are not allergic to any of its ingredients or that they contain aluminum or magnesium. Also tell your doctor if you or any family member have had or have liver disease, kidney disease, or appendicitis. And it is NOT recommended to take Gaviscon for your GERD, if you are older and have Alzheimer’s.

Gaviscon could also change the effects of some other medicines you are taking; a hard list includes the antibiotics Nizoral, Mandelamine, Rifamate and Tetracycline. If you ask me, even if these other medications are non-prescription or consist of vitamins or dietary supplements, you still need your wise doctor’s advice.

There should be no side effects or complications if you follow the above precautions well, except that the one thing to remember when taking this medicine is that it may cause dizziness and therefore you should not drive or operate heavy machinery afterward. taking it Once after dinner and eating the wrong type of food (spicy pasta), I had no choice but to take it. I felt a bit dizzy, but still managed to drive. I think the effect varies from person to person.

For the sake of knowledge, common side effects include “dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, and diarrhea” of which, if any of these occur while taking Gaviscon, you are advised to consult your doctor immediately.

I’m sure you’re also asking if there is such a thing as Gaviscon overdose. The answer to that is definitely, just like all drugs. That’s why you should only use the recommended dose and if you think you’ve overdosed, contact your doctor right away. 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 package is nice to look at and tastes as good to you as it does to me.

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

In the course of my battle with acid reflux and GERD, I discovered that Gaviscon, along with other regular prescription medications, should normally be taken for emergency purposes only. If you want to have lasting relief and even cure your condition, then conventional methods will not help you at all. At best, you can take them for a week, but frankly this is nothing more than a “band-aid” approach: focusing on masking symptoms, rather than focusing on the root cause.

You just have to read and remember all the side effects, precautions, overdose warnings and important things to remember about Gaviscon, and you are obviously smart enough to know that if you are not careful, you can easily create another disease or health. problem in your body due to this medicine. That’s one of the things that drug companies don’t want people like you and me to know…although it’s already out there.

If you want an honest recommendation, take Gaviscon for your acid reflux if you’ve taken all the necessary precautions and if it’s necessary. Take it constantly for a week at most and then only for emergencies. But find safer, more natural ways to treat your condition. You’ll be glad you did.