Leaflet: information for the user
Gaviscon chewable tablets, peppermint flavor
Sodium alginate,sodium hydrogenocarbonate (bicarbonate)
and calcium carbonate
Read this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine, as it contains important information for you.
Follow exactly the administration instructions contained in this leaflet or those given by your doctor or pharmacist.
1. What is Gaviscon and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before starting to take Gaviscon
3. How to take Gaviscon
4. Possible side effects
5. Storage of Gaviscon
6. Contents of the pack and additional information
It belongs to the group of medications known as other agents against peptic ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux.
It acts in two different ways:
1. Sodium alginate, along with sodium hydrogenocarbonate (bicarbonate) and calcium carbonate, form a protective barrier in the stomach to prevent gastric reflux and calm heartburn in the stomach.
2. Sodium hydrogenocarbonate (bicarbonate) and calcium carbonate additionally neutralize excess acid in the stomach.
Gaviscon is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of hyperacidity of the stomach and heartburn caused by acid reflux from the stomach in adults and adolescents over 12 years old.
You should consult a doctor if it worsens or does not improve after 7 days.
• If you are allergic to calcium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate (bicarbonate), sodium alginate, or any of the other components of this medication (listed in section 6).
• If you have severe kidney failure or suffer from kidney stones.
• If you have elevated blood calcium levels or low blood phosphate levels.
• If you have high levels of calcium in your urine.
Warnings and precautions
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting this medication if: you have mild or moderate kidney problems, have been diagnosed with sarcoidosis (inflammation that can affect multiple organs in the body), suffer from constipation or hemorrhoids, or experience symptoms of stomach or intestinal diseases, appendicitis, or edema.
If you are taking or have to take other medications, separate your intake by 1 to 2 hours (see “Other medications and Gaviscon”).
Avoid prolonged use as it may cause kidney stones, as well as high doses over a long period of time, which may also cause elevated blood calcium or urine levels, kidney failure, or worsen it if you already have it.
This medication should not be taken with milk or dairy products.
If symptoms persist after 7 days of treatment, consultwith your doctor.
Children and adolescents
Gaviscon is not recommended for children under 12 years old.
Interference with analytical tests:
If you are to undergo any analytical test (including blood, urine, skin tests using allergens, etc.), inform your doctor that you are taking this medication, as it may alter the results.
Other medications and Gaviscon
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have taken recently, or may have to take any other medication.
Before taking Gaviscon, inform your doctor if you are taking antibiotics (tetracyclines, quinolones), heart medications such as cardiac glycosides (digoxin, digitoxin) or other medications like fluorides, phosphates, iron salts, ketoconazole, neuroleptics, thyroid hormones, penicillamine, beta-blockers (atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol), glucocorticoids, chloroquine, estramustine, and bisphosphonates; as it may affect the efficacy of these medications.
As Gaviscon may interfere with some medications, after taking it, wait 2 hours before taking another oral medication. If you have taken another medication, wait 1 to 2 hours before taking Gaviscon to obtain the maximum benefit from the treatment with that other medication.
Taking Gaviscon with food and drinks
Like all calcium-containing antacids, this medication should not be taken with large amounts of milk or dairy products as it may cause an increase in blood calcium levels and milk-alkali syndrome (Burnett syndrome).
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication.
This medication can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding if taken according to these recommendations and not taken for a long time.
Driving and operating machinery
This medication does not affect the ability to drive or operate machinery.
Gaviscon contains sodium and aspartame.
This medication contains 254.64 mg of sodium (main component of table salt/for cooking) in each 4 tablets. This is equivalent to 12.6% of the maximum daily sodium intake recommended for an adult.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you need 7 or more tablets daily for a prolonged period, especially if you have been recommended a low-sodium diet.
This medication contains 15 mg of aspartame in each 4 tablets.
Aspartame contains a source of phenylalanine that may be harmful in cases of phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare genetic disorder in which phenylalanine accumulates due to the body's inability to eliminate it correctly.
Follow exactly the administration instructions of the medication contained in this leaflet or those indicated by your doctor or pharmacist.If in doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
The recommended dose inadults, including elderly people and adolescents over 12 yearsis2 to4 tablets, as needed, 1 hour after meals and before going to bed. You can take a maximum of 16 tablets per day.
Renal insufficiency:caution is required in patients with low-salt diets (see section 2).
How to take:
This medication is taken orally.
Remove the tablets from the packaging and chew them.
If symptoms persist after 7 days of continuous treatment, consult your doctor to rule out possible more serious diseases.
If you take moreGavisconthan you should
The symptoms of overdose include nausea and vomiting, constipation, fatigue, increased urine production, thirst, dehydration, and abnormal muscle weakness.
Drink plenty of water and consult your doctor or pharmacist.
In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist or call the Toxicological Information Service, phone: 91 562 04 20, indicating the medication and the amount ingested.
If you forgot to takeGaviscon
Do not take a double dose to compensate for the missed doses.
When you need it, take it again as indicated in the section“3. How to take Gaviscon”.
If you have any other questions about the use of this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Unknown frequency (the frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
Reporting Adverse Effects
If you experience any type of adverse effect, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is a possible adverse effect that does not appear in this prospectus. You can also report them directly through the Spanish System for Pharmacovigilance of Medicines for Human Use (www.notificaram.es).
By reporting adverse effects, you can contribute to providing more information about the safety of this medication.
Keep this medication out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medication after the expiration date that appears on the packaging after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
Do not store at a temperature above30°C.
Medicines should not be disposed of through drains or in the trash. Dispose of packaging and medications you no longer need at the SIGRE collection pointat the pharmacy. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of packaging and medications you no longer need. This will help protect the environment.
Composition ofGaviscon
-The other components (excipients) are macrogol, mannitol (E421), copovidone, peppermint aroma, aspartame (E-951), acesulfame potassium (E-950), magnesium stearate.
Appearance of the product and contents of the packaging
Gaviscon are chewable tabletscream-colored slightly speckled.
They are presented in PVC/PE/PVdC strips, transparent unprinted with an aluminum foilin a cardboard box with the leaflet.
Each package may contain4, 24, 32, 48 or 64tablets.
They are also presented in a polypropylene container in a cardboard box with the leaflet. Each container contains 12, or 20 tablets.
Only some package sizes may be marketed.
Holder of the marketing authorization and responsible for manufacturing
Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare, S.A.
C/ Mataró, 28
08403 Granollers-Barcelona
Spain
RB NL Brands B.V.
Schiphol Blvd 207, 1118 BH Schiphol, Netherlands
Last review date of this leaflet: August 2020.
Detailed and updated information on this medication is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS)http://www.aemps.gob.es/
Have questions about this medication or your symptoms? Connect with a licensed doctor for guidance and personalized care.