Anyone taking Gaviscon Advance for Gerd

[here2share]

I'm hoping to find someone with a doctor who has them on Gaviscon Advance for Gerd/reflux symptoms.

[mjames1]

I take it at night before bed. Just make sure you space it out from your other medications by 2-3 hours, or it may interfere with their absorption. I'm from the US, where it's not available at pharmacies, however we can get it on Amazon from UK distributors.

Jim

[here2share in reply to mjames1]

Thanks for your reply. I too am in US and I also order it on Amazon from UK distributors. I found it by chance and feel it's been "the answer" - a miracle. However, what I'm hoping to find on this forum is someone who has info on a doctor familiar with its use. I have used it for 6 months to truly great effect, but the gastro doc I saw (only once - that as a big turn off) had never used Gaviscon (don't think he'd even heard of it) and just wanted to prescribe the usual PPIs and H2-blockers and endoscopies - it's all they know. Even if your doc is not near me, I'd be thrilled to pay for tele-consults. I followed the protocol I found on the Gaviscon website to take after each meal and then, again, at bedtime. It seems to have lived up to all the promises about Gerd and LPG symptoms. I first used it to wean off PPI/H2s which only took a few weeks with no reflux blowback. I take nothing else - no other meds.

[mjames1 in reply to here2share]

Yes, alginates were recommended by an esophageal specialist. The list he gave me to choose from included the various US Gaviscon formulations and something called "Reflux Gourmet" that you can order directly from their website.

During the consult I brought up Gaviscon Advance. The doctor had heard of it, but he suggested I use one of the others. I'm going to guess it might have something to do with a liability issue because it's not available here directly. I decided to take it anyway, based on both the formulation and study data. In the UK, this is the one that would've been prescribed.

I'm glad it's working out for you and getting you off PPI's snd H2's. I'm not at that stage yet, but if I do decide to wean off Voquezna (even stronger than a PPI) and Pepscid, I will stick with Gaviscon Advance as long as it continues to help.

Jim

[here2share in reply to mjames1]

I first tried the US Gaviscon formulas and they had NO effect. I've tried Reflux Gourmet and also Reflux Raft - they don't hold a candle to Gaviscon Advance.

[meadfoot]

Yes I take it every night and occasionally during the day if needed. Its been a saviour for me. I take it with the blessing of my GP, Gastroenterologist and Cardiac consultant.

I also have cardiac arrhythmias which is often exacerbated by my acid reflux and other gastric issues. I wouldnt be without Gaviscon advance. I have the aniseed flavour as the peppermint one doesnt suit me.

Just ensure you leave a couple of hours between a gaviscon dose and other medications as it can block their effectiveness. Be sure to give the bottle an extra good shake before taking a dose as some of the ingredients settle at the bottom of the bottle. Best wishes.

[here2share in reply to meadfoot]

I've been taking Gaviscon Advance aniseed for almost 6 months. I am in US. I found it by chance online and feel it's been "the answer" - a miracle for me. What I'm hoping to find on this forum is someone who has info on a doctor familiar with its use - maybe someone in UK or EU. I hear Gaviscon Advance is the treatment of choice there. The gastro doc I saw (only once - that was a big turn off) had never used Gaviscon (don't think he'd even heard of it) and he just wanted to prescribe the usual PPIs and H2-blockers and endoscopies - it's all they know $. I had huge problem with the PPI side effects - I was only on them 2 months and they did manage symptoms by stopping production of my stomach acid but I almost immediately got a vicious UTI (lots of cautions on this as a PPI-side effect). My UTI, just as the warning warned, was vicious, and required special antibiotics. No idea where you are located, but wherever you doctor is, I'd be thrilled to pay for consults - via text, email or phone calls if you could get me contact info. I've followed the protocol on the Gaviscon website to take dose after each meal and then, again, at bedtime - but there is lots of info that is NOT on the website. Gaviscon seems to have lived up to all the promises about fixing Gerd and LPG symptoms, but I have questions about "ongoing". I first used it to wean off PPI/H2s which only took a few weeks - and, as promised, by using Gaviscon I had no reflux rebound when I got off the PPI/H2s. I take nothing else - no other meds except thyroid and I'm very careful to take them each in their own time window. I am getting nervous with the tariffs and new shipping challenges. Amazon only let me order 3 bottles last week and my previous order is long-delayed. Thanks for your time and any info.

[Jumpey]

Yes I take Gaviscon Advance without anybither medications.I live in the UK.

[meadfoot]

We can buy Gaviscon advance in any large chemist here in the UK. Costs around £11 or £12 for a large 500ml bottle which is designed to last a month taking the dose as instructed.

In the UK it can be prescribed on the National Health Service (NHS). My General Practitioner (GP) prescribes it for me every month which I can automatically request by the electronic ordering service at the practice which then goes direct to my pre chosen chemist to pick up.

As I am over state pension age I dont have to pay for it or any prescribed items. If someone in the UK is eligible to pay, (ie working) for prescription is somewhere around £10 per prescribed item.

Our medical system is quite different to yours. We pay a national insurance contribution throughout our working life taken directly out of our salary. NHS care is free at the point of need for citizens and covers GP, hospital tests, operations and largely many associated service needs of patients.

The NHS is grossly overstretched and I fear it may crack under current strain. It was set up in 1948 and has largely served us well but as with all things it isn't perfect but it has seen me through some health challenges over my lifetime. We can pay privately separately for health care via a self funded insurance system or paying out of our own pocket but its expensive.

You have to be registered with a GP here based in your location but can be referred to hospitals in the rest of the UK under the ”patient choice” system via your GP or they can refer you for private treatment if you can afford to pay for quicker access.

Maybe a large chemist chain in the UK like Boots the chemist may post to you or the manufacturer maybe. The manufacturer in the UK is a Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare UK Ltd, based in Hull HU8 7DS. Worth contacting them maybe. Have you googled gaviscon advance - equivalent in USA they may have it under a different name. Best wishes.

[hjskev]

Hi I've been taking Gaviscon for a while prescribed by my doctor I find PPIs don't work for me. The thing with Gaviscon is it forms a barrier between stomach and oesophagus so its important not to break the barrier with food or drink once you've taken it. I'm so glad it works well for you as it does for me too in the main. However a pharmacist has warned me that it has a very high salt content and if you read the bottle it has. That's not a problem for me as I don't eat food with a lot of salt but I think food in the US may have high sodium. Just something to be aware of if it could have other health repercussions for you.

[Digger0]

I find Gaviscon does nothing for me, but Peptac does! It's amazing how all our bodies work differently!

[hjskev]

Further to my previous reply I just wanted to say I'm trying drinking Alkali water with the hope that it will dilute the acid in my stomach. Its early days so I can't say if it makes any difference or not. Also I find chewing chewing gum gives me a lot of relief.

[Ecki in reply to hjskev]

What is alkali water?

[Celie1]

Hi,

Yes, I’m in the uk and can get a prescription for Gaviscon advance for my acid reflux.