GAVISCON FAST SOOTHING PEPPERMINT SUSP 200ML

Indications

Approved Uses

Symptomatic relief of gastro‑oesophageal reflux (GERD) including heartburn, acid regurgitation and indigestion related to reflux.

Off-Label Uses

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) symptom relief; reflux symptoms during pregnancy (commonly used when clinically appropriate).

Dosage & Administration

Dosing by Condition

Reflux symptoms (heartburn/acid regurgitation/indigestion): Adults and adolescents ≥12 years: 10-20 mL after meals and at bedtime (up to 4 times daily). Children <12 years: use only on medical advice per local labeling.

Initial Dose

10ml (one 10ml dose) after meals and at bedtime

Maintenance Dose

10-20ml as needed after meals and at bedtime, up to 4 times a day.

Maximum Dose

80ml per day (adults)

Dose Adjustment Notes

No routine hepatic adjustment; use caution in renal impairment and in patients requiring sodium restriction (e.g., heart failure) due to sodium load, and consider overall calcium load with prolonged/high-dose use.

How to Take

Shake well before use; measure the dose with a measuring spoon/cup; take after meals and at bedtime; swallow directly (do not routinely dilute).

Side Effects

Common Side Effects

Uncommon: gastrointestinal effects such as nausea, constipation or diarrhea, abdominal distension/flatulence.

Safety & Warnings

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to sodium alginate, sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, or any excipients; avoid/use only under medical supervision in severe renal impairment and in patients with hypercalcaemia (or conditions causing hypercalcaemia).

Warnings & Precautions

Caution in patients on a low-sodium diet or with conditions sensitive to sodium load (e.g., heart failure, hypertension, edema); caution/avoid in hypercalcaemia, nephrocalcinosis, or recurrent calcium-containing renal stones; caution/avoid in moderate-severe renal impairment; if symptoms persist beyond 7 days or worsen, seek medical advice; follow label storage (do not store >30°C; do not refrigerate/freeze).

Driving Warning

Safe

Drug Interactions

Interaction Severity

Moderate: may reduce absorption of certain oral medicines (e.g., tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, iron, levothyroxine, bisphosphonates); separate administration by at least 2 hours (longer for some agents per their labels).

Special Populations

Pregnancy

Consult Doctor

Storage & Patient Advice

Stopping the Medicine

Safe to stop at any time; no tapering is required and it can be discontinued once symptoms resolve.

Overdose

Usually mild (abdominal distension/bloating/flatulence); with large or prolonged excessive intake, electrolyte disturbances such as hypercalcaemia and metabolic alkalosis (milk-alkali syndrome) can occur-manage symptomatically, ensure hydration, and seek medical care if significant ingestion or symptoms.

Patient Counseling

Shake well; take after meals and at bedtime; separate from other oral medicines by at least 2 hours; do not exceed the labeled maximum daily dose; seek medical advice if symptoms persist/worsen or if needing it for >7 days; consider sodium load (and consult if on salt-restricted diet, heart failure, or significant renal impairment); storage: do not store above 30°C, do not freeze, do not refrigerate.

Monitoring Requirements

No routine monitoring for short-term OTC use; seek medical advice if symptoms persist beyond ~7 days or are severe/atypical; consider renal function/electrolytes (e.g., calcium) only with prolonged/high-dose use or in renal impairment.

Pharmacology

Mechanism of Action

In gastric acid, sodium alginate forms a viscous alginic-acid gel ‘raft’ that floats on stomach contents; sodium bicarbonate generates CO₂ to buoy the raft; calcium carbonate provides acid neutralization and helps stabilize the raft.

Onset of Action

Rapid-typically within 3-4 minutes (often described as ‘within minutes’).

Duration of Effect

Typically up to about 4 hours.

Bioavailability

Negligible systemic absorption; effect is local/physical in the stomach.

Excretion

Primarily eliminated via the GI tract (raft/alginate complex in feces); small amounts of absorbed ions (e.g., sodium/calcium/bicarbonate-related load) are handled/excreted renally.

Protein Binding

Not applicable.

Product Information

Available Dosage Forms

For this SFDA-registered product: Oral suspension (200 mL bottle).

Composition per Dose

Each 10ml contains 500mg sodium alginate, 267mg sodium bicarbonate, 160mg calcium carbonate.

OTC Alternatives

OTC alternatives include: (1) other antacids/alginate products (e.g., calcium carbonate-based antacids; alginate combinations), (2) H2-receptor antagonists where OTC/available (e.g., famotidine), and (3) OTC PPIs for frequent symptoms (e.g., omeprazole). Avoid listing ranitidine as a routine alternative due to widespread withdrawals/restrictions.

Gi Condition

Acid Reflux/GERD

Reviewed by Al Mujtama Pharmacy Medical Review Team. Last reviewed 08-07-2026