Dyspepsia is a violation of the normal functioning of the stomach, as well as painful and difficult digestion. In this condition, the patient may feel pain or discomfort (for example, severity, early saturation and overflow) in the epigastric region (epigastric). These symptoms may be due to gastric ulcer, gallstone disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or chronic pancreatitis.
Most often, dyspepsia is caused by increased acidity of the gastric juice. To normalize digestion and eliminate all unpleasant symptoms, experts recommend using the Gaviscon Forte medication. Instructions for use, contraindications, analogues, side effects and the form of this medication are presented below.
The composition of the drug, its packaging, description and release form
What form is typical for Gaviscon Forte? Suspension - in this form, the drug can be purchased at any pharmacy. There are two different tastes to choose from:
- Anise suspension intended for oral administration. The drug solution has a viscous texture, as well as an almost white or light brown color, with a pleasant anise flavor.
The main ingredients of this tool are potassium bicarbonate and sodium alginate. Also, the composition of the preoral preparation includes such auxiliary substances as sodium hydroxide, fennel flavor, carbomer, calcium carbonate, sodium saccharinate, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, purified water and propyl parahydroxybenzoate.
You can buy this tool in multilayer sachets of 10 ml or in dark glass bottles of 80, 250 or 150 ml.
- Mint suspension for oral administration of a viscous texture, white or light brown in color, with a pleasant aroma of mint.
The composition of this medicine also includes potassium bicarbonate and sodium alginate. In addition to the main components, this drug also contains auxiliary: propyl parahydroxybenzoate, calcium carbonate, peppermint flavor, carbomer, sodium hydroxide, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, purified water and sodium saccharin.
Gaviscon Forte oral solution is sold in dark glass bottles and multilayer sachets, which are placed in boxes of heavy paper.
The mechanism of action of the drug
What is Gaviscon Forte drug (suspension)? Instructions for use indicate that this tool has a pronounced antacid effect. After taking the solution inside, its active ingredients begin to react very quickly with the acidic contents of the stomach. As a result, an alginate gel is formed, which prevents the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux.
In the event that the patient has a discharge of the contents of the stomach into the esophagus, then this drug helps to reduce irritation of its mucous membrane.
Pharmacokinetics of the drug
What kinetic parameters are characteristic for Gaviscon Forte suspension? According to the instructions, the mechanism of action of this medication does not depend on its absorption in the systemic circulation.
Indications for taking the solution
For what purpose is a patient prescribed a medication such as Gaviscon Forte? Doctors say that the drug in question is quite effective in dyspepsia (as a symptomatic treatment), which is associated with increased acidity of the gastric juice and gastroesophageal reflux. It is actively used for severe heartburn, sour belching and a feeling of heaviness in the stomach after eating.
Is Gaviscon Forte prescribed for pregnant women? Women in position are not prohibited to use such a remedy. Moreover, pharmaceutical companies began to produce this medication marked "during pregnancy."
Also, the medication in question is allowed to be used during breastfeeding, but only according to strict indications.
Contraindications to the suspension
In what cases are patients not prescribed Gaviscon Forte medication? According to experts, this tool is not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age. In addition, it is prohibited for use with hypersensitivity to the main and additional substances of the drug.
Dosage of the drug and method of its use
How should I use Gaviscon Forte suspension (there are no tablets as a form of release of this medicine)? This medication is prescribed for adults and children over 12 years old only inside. A single dosage of the solution is 5-10 ml. Use it after eating, as well as before bedtime.
The maximum dose of this medication per day is 40 ml.
Before using the contents of the bag, it should be thoroughly kneaded with your fingers (to mix the solution).
For the elderly, changes in dose adjustments are not required.
Side effects
Receiving a suspension of "Gaviscon Forte" can cause allergic reactions. If they are obvious, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Solution overdose and drug interactions
In case of an overdose of Gaviscon Forte, the analogues of which are listed below, the patient may complain of a feeling of bloating. In this case, gastric lavage is required. Symptomatic therapy may also be required.
Information about the drug interaction of this medication is not presented in the instructions. However, before taking the suspension, experts recommend informing your doctor about the use of other drugs.
Special recommendations
The drug "Gaviscon Forte" during pregnancy should be used only according to strict indications and only after consultation with a doctor.
According to the instructions, 10 ml of the suspension in question contains about 78 mg (i.e. 2 mmol) of potassium and about 106 mg (i.e. 4.6 mmol) of sodium. This fact should be taken into account if it is necessary to follow a salt-free diet (for example, with impaired kidney function or congestive heart failure). In addition, the presence of the mentioned elements in the medicine must be known to those who use it simultaneously with medicines that can cause the development of hyperkalemia.
It should also be noted that in 10 ml of Gaviscon Forte solution contains 200 mg of calcium carbonate. In this regard, it is prescribed with extreme caution to people with recurrent formation of kidney stones containing calcium, as well as with hypercalcemia and nephrocalcinosis.
If after the start of therapy, improvements do not occur within 7 days, then an urgent consultation with a doctor is required.
This medication does not have any effect on the patient's ability to drive vehicles and drive dangerous mechanisms.
Storage and purchase conditions, shelf life
Suspension "Gaviscon Forte" is dispensed in a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription. Keep it away from small children, subject to a temperature of at least 15 and no higher than 30 degrees. The shelf life of this medicine is 24 months. After two years, it must be disposed of.
Cost of medication, similar means
The price of this drug may be different, depending on its packaging and volume. The average cost of a suspension of Gaviscon Forte is 230-280 rubles.
At the moment, the drug in question does not have structural analogues (that is, with the same active substance). If this drug is contraindicated for you, then you need to contact your doctor who will choose a replacement medication for you with similar properties, but with another active component. Typically, such funds include the following: Gastrika-GF, Espumisan, Motinorm, De-Nol, Cuplaton, Esinorm Forte, Pariet, Karmolis, Itomed, "Vicalin." All of these drugs are designed to improve the digestion process, protect the mucous membrane of the stomach and esophagus, and also eliminate the feeling of nausea, epigastric pain and other unpleasant symptoms.
Consumer and medical reviews about the drug
Suspension "Gaviscon Forte" is a fairly popular drug that quickly eliminates dyspepsia and the associated unpleasant symptoms. There are a lot of positive reviews about this medicine. Patients claim that this medication manifests itself as a highly effective remedy for heartburn. After oral administration, discomfort in the stomach, sour taste and bitterness in the mouth are almost immediately eliminated.
It should be especially noted that the drug in question is often used in the complex therapy of rather serious pathologies of the digestive tract.
It cannot be said that many patients are very pleased with the fact that Gaviscon Forte can be used even during pregnancy to eliminate heartburn.
Also, the advantages of this drug include its availability, relatively low cost, the absence of serious contraindications, as well as side effects.
The disadvantage of this medication is its inconvenient form of release.