GAVISCON HEARTBURN AND INDIGESTION*24 TABS

Gaviscon Heartburn and Indigestion 500mg/213mg/325mg oral suspension, mint flavour
Sodium alginate/Sodium bicarbonate/Calcium carbonate

What it is and what it is used for
Gaviscon Heartburn and Indigestion oral suspension, mint flavour, in sachets, is a combination of two antacids (calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate) and an alginate that works in two ways:
1. By neutralizing excess acid in the stomach to relieve pain and discomfort;
2. By forming a protective barrier over the stomach contents to soothe the burning sensation in your chest for up to 4 hours.

This medicine is indicated for the treatment of acidity-related symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux, such as acid regurgitation, heartburn, and indigestion, for example after meals or during pregnancy.

What you need to know before taking the medicine
Do not take Gaviscon Heartburn and Indigestion
- if you are allergic to the active ingredients or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Gaviscon Heartburn and Indigestion if you:
- have severe kidney problems
- have electrolyte disturbances causing low phosphate levels in the blood (hypophosphataemia)
- suffer or have suffered from significant kidney or heart disease, as some salts may interfere with these conditions (talk to your doctor about the salt content)
- if you know you have a reduced amount of stomach acid, as this medicine may be less effective.

As with other antacid products, taking Gaviscon Heartburn and Indigestion oral suspension, mint flavour, in sachets, may mask the symptoms of other more serious pre-existing conditions.
If symptoms persist after 7 days, consult your doctor.

Children
Do not give this medicine to children under 12 years of age without medical advice.
There is a risk of increased sodium levels in the blood (hypernatraemia) in children with kidney problems or stomach or intestinal inflammation (gastroenteritis).

Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
If these side effects occur, stop taking this medicine and consult a doctor immediately.
Very rarely (less than 1 in 10,000 patients) there is a possibility of an allergic reaction to the components of the medicine. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, skin itching, rash, hives, dizziness, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, and difficulty breathing.

Ingestion of large amounts of calcium carbonate, a component of this medicine, can cause an increase in blood pH (alkalosis), too much calcium in the blood (hypercalcaemia), increased stomach acid secretion, and constipation. These symptoms normally occur after taking doses higher than the recommended dose.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, including those not listed in this leaflet, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system at https://www.aifa.gov.it/content/segnalazionireazioni-avverse.