Was curious about Gaviscon & even though it is non-prescription it is still a drug & you should know about the precautions.
http://www.drugs.com/cdi/gaviscon-chewable-tablets.html
Gaviscon chewable tablets
Generic Name: aluminum/magnesium trisilicate (a-LOO-min-uhm/mag-NEE-zee-um try-SILL-i-kate)
Brand Name: Gaviscon
Gaviscon chewable tablets are used for:
Treating acid indigestion, heartburn, and sour stomach. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Gaviscon chewable tablets are an antacid. It works by neutralizing acid in the stomach.
Do NOT use Gaviscon chewable tablets if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in Gaviscon chewable tablets
you are also taking citrate salts (found in some calcium supplements, antacids, and laxatives)
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you
Before using Gaviscon chewable tablets:
Some medical conditions may interact with Gaviscon chewable tablets. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have Alzheimer disease, appendicitis, diarrhea, a stomach blockage, kidney problems, or an ileostomy
if you have recently had stomach bleeding
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Gaviscon chewable tablets. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
Cation exchange resins (eg, sodium polystyrene sulfonate) and citrate salts (found in some calcium supplements, antacids, and laxatives) because they may increase the action
s and the risk of Gaviscon chewable tablets's side effects
Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), quinidine, or sulfonylureas (eg, glyburide) because their actions and the risk of their side effects may be increased
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril), beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), bisphosphonates (eg, risedronate), cephalosporins (eg, cephalexin), corticosteroids (eg, hydrocortisone), cyclosporine, delavirdine, digoxin, imidazoles (eg, ketoconazole), mycophenolate, penicillamine, quinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin), tetracyclines (eg, doxycycline), or thyroid hormones (eg, levothyroxine) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Gaviscon chewable tablets, especially when taken at the same time as Gaviscon chewable tablets
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Gaviscon chewable tablets may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Gaviscon chewable tablets:
Use Gaviscon chewable tablets as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Take Gaviscon chewable tablets by mouth with or without food.
Chew thoroughly before swallowing.
Do not use Gaviscon chewable tablets within 2 hours before or after taking a beta-blocker (eg, propranolol), bisphosphonate (eg, risedronate), cephalosporin (eg, cephalexin), corticosteroid (eg, hydrocortisone), delavirdine, digoxin, imidazole (eg, ketoconazole), penicillamine, or sulfonylurea (eg, glyburide) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Gaviscon chewable tablets.
If you miss a dose of Gaviscon chewable tablets and you are taking it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Gaviscon chewable tablets.
Important safety information:
Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or take the maximum dose for longer than 2 weeks without checking with your doctor.
If your symptoms do not get better within 2 weeks or if they get worse, or if you experience black, tarry stools or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, check with your doctor.
Gaviscon chewable tablets has aluminum and magnesium in it. Before you begin taking any new prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read the ingredients to see has aluminum or magnesium in it too. If it does or if you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Gaviscon chewable tablets while you are pregnant. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Gaviscon chewable tablets, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Gaviscon chewable tablets:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Constipation; diarrhea.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); loss of appetite; muscle weakness; nausea; slow reflexes; vomiting.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Gaviscon chewable tablets:
Store Gaviscon chewable tablets between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Gaviscon chewable tablets out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
If you have any questions about Gaviscon chewable tablets, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Gaviscon chewable tablets are to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take Gaviscon chewable tablets or any other medicine. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about Gaviscon chewable tablets. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to Gaviscon chewable tablets. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using Gaviscon chewable tablets.
Issue Date: June 3, 2015
Database Edition 15.2.1.003
Copyright © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC
