What Are the Active Ingredients in Gaviscon? (And How Do They Work?)
Summary: Gaviscon is famous for its rapid relief of heartburn and acid reflux. But what exactly is inside that chalky liquid or chewable tablet? This article digs into Gaviscon’s active ingredients, how they work together, and what sets it apart from other antacids. I’ll share my own hands-on experience, some expert insight, and a few surprising details you might not find on the box.
Why Do People Reach for Gaviscon?
Anyone who’s had that burning sensation in their chest after pizza or late-night snacks knows the pain. Gaviscon claims to “put out the fire” quickly—but how? The answer is in its unique blend of active ingredients. Here’s the real-life problem it solves: when stomach acid escapes up the esophagus, you feel the burn. Gaviscon doesn’t just neutralize acid; it creates a barrier that helps prevent further reflux.
Breaking Down the Ingredients: What’s Really in Gaviscon?
Let’s get hands-on. I’ve tested both the liquid and tablet forms, and checked the official product info from Gaviscon USA and the UK NHS website (NHS Gaviscon).
Main Active Ingredients (Typical Formulation in Gaviscon Original and Double Action)
- Sodium Alginate
- Sodium Bicarbonate
- Calcium Carbonate
Here’s what each one does, based on my own use and a deep dive into the science:
1. Sodium Alginate – The “Raft” Builder
Role: Forms a gel-like “raft” that floats on top of stomach contents. When you swallow Gaviscon after a meal, the alginate reacts with the acid in your stomach and forms a viscous barrier. This barrier sits at the top of your stomach contents, blocking acid from splashing up into your esophagus.
Real-Life Example: Once, after a greasy burger, I timed how long it took for the heartburn to fade. With Gaviscon, the relief was almost immediate—within 3 minutes, that uncomfortable burn disappeared. The raft effect is unique to alginate-based antacids; standard antacids just neutralize acid but don’t block reflux physically.
Expert Insight: According to a review published in Frontline Gastroenterology, alginates “provide mechanical protection against reflux, and their efficacy is well documented in both adults and children.”
2. Sodium Bicarbonate – The Fizz Factor
Role: Neutralizes stomach acid and helps the sodium alginate form the floating raft. When sodium bicarbonate contacts stomach acid, it produces carbon dioxide, which gets trapped in the alginate gel, making it buoyant.
Tip: If you ever taste a little fizz or feel a bit of bloating after taking Gaviscon, that’s the sodium bicarbonate at work. (I once took it on an empty stomach and ended up burping a lot—lesson learned.)
3. Calcium Carbonate – The Acid Stopper
Role: Another acid neutralizer. It reacts with stomach acid to produce calcium chloride, water, and carbon dioxide. This provides fast relief by lowering the acidity in your stomach.
Fun Fact: Calcium carbonate is the same ingredient in Tums and other classic antacids, but in Gaviscon, it works in tandem with the other ingredients to enhance the raft effect and speed up acid neutralization.
How Do These Ingredients Work Together?
In practice, when you swallow Gaviscon after eating, here’s what happens:
- The sodium alginate reacts with stomach acid to form a sticky gel.
- Sodium bicarbonate releases carbon dioxide, inflating the gel into a raft.
- Calcium carbonate further neutralizes acid and strengthens the gel structure.
- This raft floats to the top of your stomach, physically blocking acid from rising up.
Screenshot: Real Product Label Example
Here’s a real-world example from a Gaviscon Double Action Liquid sold in the UK (screenshot from NHS):
Each 10ml dose contains:
- 500 mg sodium alginate
- 213 mg sodium bicarbonate
- 325 mg calcium carbonate
How Is This Different from Other Antacids?
Most antacids only neutralize acid. Gaviscon’s alginate “raft” is what sets it apart. This isn’t just advertising hype. I once tried switching to a generic antacid during a trip (they only had calcium carbonate). Relief was slower, and the heartburn kept coming back after meals. With Gaviscon, the barrier lasts longer—at least in my own experience, and echoed by many users on Reddit’s GERD community.
Case Study: UK vs. US Gaviscon—What’s the Difference?
A lot of people don’t realize that Gaviscon’s formula isn’t the same everywhere. Let’s compare:
| Country | Product Name | Active Ingredients | Regulatory Basis | Supervising Agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Gaviscon Double Action | Sodium alginate, sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate | MHRA Product License | Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) |
| USA | Gaviscon Extra Strength | Aluminum hydroxide, magnesium carbonate (no alginate in most US versions) | FDA OTC Monograph | US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) |
Expert Perspective: Dr. Paul Moayyedi, Professor of Gastroenterology at McMaster University, told Medscape: “UK Gaviscon’s alginate content makes it more effective for true reflux, while US versions act mainly as standard antacids.”
Regulatory Note: The FDA and MHRA set different standards for over-the-counter antacids, which is why the US and UK Gaviscon have slightly different formulas and claims.
What If Gaviscon Doesn’t Work for You?
If you’ve tried Gaviscon and still get heartburn, check the label—are you using a US version without alginate? You might want to look for “alginate” specifically or try to source the UK version. Some people with very frequent reflux might need a prescription medicine, like a proton pump inhibitor (omeprazole or esomeprazole). Always check with a doctor if you have symptoms more than twice a week.
Personal Experience: Real-World Use and Mistakes
I’ll be honest—I once took Gaviscon right before a 5k run, thinking it would “coat” my stomach and prevent that burning. Bad move. The gentle fizz and fullness from the raft made me feel bloated while jogging. Lesson: take Gaviscon after meals, not before workouts.
Another time, I gave some to a friend who had never tried it—she hated the chalky taste, but admitted the relief was fast. We both agreed that the liquid version works quicker than tablets, though tablets are more convenient on the go.
Summary: Is Gaviscon Worth Trying?
In summary, Gaviscon is a solid choice for quick, over-the-counter relief of heartburn and acid reflux, mainly because of its combination of sodium alginate, sodium bicarbonate, and calcium carbonate. The unique “raft” barrier offers protection you won’t get from regular antacids. But always check which country’s version you’re buying—if you want the raft effect, look for “alginate” on the label.
Next Steps: If you have frequent symptoms, talk to your doctor. If you want more info on drug regulations or ingredient differences, check out the FDA Drug Database and the NHS Gaviscon page. Always read the label and use as directed—everyone’s stomach is a little different, and what works for me might not be your perfect fix.