First-lineGaviscon Advance

Antacids & Alginates

Alginate raft-forming antacid

First-line pregnancy GORD — safe throughout gestation.

Oral suspensionTablets

First-line for

GORD in pregnancy
Dyspepsia in pregnancy
Reflux symptoms in lactation

Mechanism

Sodium/potassium alginate forms a viscous gel raft floating on gastric contents; combined antacid (Ca/Mg) neutralises acid.

"Raft on the reflux"

Take after meals and at bedtime
Space 2 h from iron/thyroxine
Safe every trimester + lactation

Dosing

Suspension: 10 mL after meals and at bedtime
Tablets: 1–2 chewed after meals + bedtime

Contraindications

CautionSevere renal impairment (Mg/Al accumulation)
CautionSodium-restricted diet (Na content)

Side effects

Bloating
Constipation (Al-containing)
Diarrhoea (Mg-containing)
Belching

Fetal & maternal notes

• No teratogenic risk
• First-line before PPIs / H2RA in pregnancy

Key interactions

Levothyroxine
Caution
↓ absorption — separate by 4 h
Iron
Caution
↓ absorption — separate by 2 h
Tetracyclines / fluoroquinolones
Caution
Chelation — separate 2–4 h

Clinical pearls

💡 Try lifestyle + alginate first, escalate to H2RA/PPI only if inadequate
💡 Gaviscon Advance is potassium bicarbonate-based (less sodium)

Content last reviewed: REPLACE_ME (e.g. 2026-07)

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