Gaviscon
Gaviscon is a non-prescription medication for the treatment of heartburn and GERD[1]. It is produced and distributed in the UK by Reckitt Benckiser[2] and by GlaxoSmithKline in the US and Canada[3].
Gaviscon is taken to treat heartburn, similarly to other antacids. Gaviscon is based on a mixture of the buffering agents and neutralizers calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, magnesium carbonate and the gelling agents alginic acid and aluminium hydroxide[4]. When taken by mouth the combination of the alginic acid and bicarbonate creates a barrier which prevents stomach acid from refluxing back up into the esophagus[5].
If reflux occurs, this protective barrier is the first to contact the esophageal mucosa, instead of gastric contents[6].
The Gaviscon infant variant for infants (≥ 1 years) and young children contains only the gelling agents sodium alginate and magnesium alginate[7]. It is used to help stabilize the stomach contents and reduce reflux and regurgitation, but is not an antacid[8].
[edit] References
- ^ GlaxoSmithKline 'Gaviscon U.S. home page', http://www.essentialsforlivingwell.com/products/gaviscon/default.aspx?redirectfrom=www.gaviscon.com
- ^ Reckitt Benckiser 'Gaviscon U.K. home page', http://www.gaviscon.co.uk/
- ^ GlaxoSmithKline 'Gaviscon', http://www.gsk.com/products/consumer-healthcare/gaviscon.htm
- ^ U.S. Food and Drug Administration 'Orange Book', Gaviscon: http://www.fda.gov/drugs/developmentapprovalprocess/ucm079068.htm
- ^ Journal of Nuclear Medicine 'The mode of action alginic acid compound in the reduction of gastroesophageal reflux.', http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/231639
- ^ National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse 'Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)', Foaming agents: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gerd/
- ^ Reckitt Benckiser 'Gaviscon AU Infant page', http://www.gaviscon.com.au/gaviscon_product_range/gaviscon_infant.php
- ^ Medicines Online 'Gaviscon Infant', http://www.medicines.ie/medicine/1301/SPC/Gaviscon+Infant/
[edit] External links
- Official "Gaviscon UK" website
- "Gaviscon UK" Advice website
- Official "Gaviscon US" website
- Official "Gaviscon Canada" website
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