Gaviscon Advance Liquid

Gaviscon Advance Liquid is an oral antacid suspension manufactured by Reckitt Benckiser, sold as an over-the-counter (OTC) product in pharmacies and online platforms such as DoctorOnCall without needing a doctor’s prescription. Each 10ml dose contains 1000mg sodium alginate and 200mg potassium bicarbonate (potassium hydrogen carbonate) as the labelled active ingredients, with calcium carbonate and other excipients also present as part of the formulation.

This is the highest sodium alginate concentration within the Gaviscon range sold in Malaysia, roughly double the alginate content per 10ml compared with Gaviscon Peppermint Liquid. It also uses potassium bicarbonate rather than sodium bicarbonate as its bicarbonate source, which distinguishes its ingredient profile from both the Peppermint and Double Action variants.

Gaviscon Advance Liquid is commonly sold in bottles (often 150ml or similar sizes) with a dosing cup, and is available in different flavour options such as peppermint, giving customers a choice suited to their taste preference.

• Take 5-10ml (one to two doses) of the liquid after meals and at bedtime, up to four times a day, or as directed by a doctor or pharmacist. Shake the bottle well before use so the suspension is evenly mixed.
• Measure the dose using the dosing cup provided with the bottle rather than an ordinary spoon, to keep each dose consistent. Do not exceed the maximum daily dose stated on the packaging.
• If you also take other oral medicines, leave a gap of at least 2 hours between taking this product and taking those other medicines, since the alginate-antacid combination can reduce the absorption of some drugs if taken together.

Adults and children aged 12 years and above: 5-10ml after meals and at bedtime (up to four times in 24 hours). Use in children under 12 years should only be under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist, as dosing in younger age groups is not established for this product.

If a dose is missed, take it as soon as you remember around your next meal or at bedtime; do not double the dose to make up for a missed one. If symptoms persist beyond 7 days of regular use, or worsen, stop self-treating and see a doctor or pharmacist rather than continuing to increase how often you take it.

Use before the expiry date printed on the bottle and outer carton. Do not use the product past this date even if it appears visually unchanged.

Store below 25°C, away from direct sunlight and excessive heat. Do not freeze. Keep the bottle tightly closed in its original packaging, and out of the reach and sight of children.

• Common: Bloating or a feeling of fullness shortly after dosing.
• Common: Mild changes in bowel habit, such as constipation, with regular use.
• Serious: Signs of an allergic reaction such as rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, or difficulty breathing, which require urgent medical attention.

• Known hypersensitivity to sodium alginate, potassium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, or any other listed ingredient in this formulation.
• Not suitable for anyone with kidney problems or conditions causing high blood potassium (hyperkalaemia) without first checking with a doctor, given the potassium bicarbonate content.
• Not recommended for children under 12 years unless directed by a doctor or pharmacist.

• Taking this product at the same time as other oral medicines can reduce their absorption; leave at least a 2-hour gap between Gaviscon Advance and other oral drugs, particularly antibiotics such as tetracyclines or quinolones, iron supplements, and digoxin.
• The potassium bicarbonate content means people taking potassium-sparing diuretics, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, or potassium supplements should check with a doctor or pharmacist before regular use, due to a theoretical additive effect on blood potassium levels.
• No specific food interactions are known; the product is taken after meals as part of its normal directions for use.

• Shake the bottle well before each use so the suspension is evenly mixed.
• Use the dosing cup provided rather than a kitchen spoon to keep each dose accurate.
• Take your dose after meals and at bedtime rather than on an empty stomach for the intended raft-forming effect to work as designed.
• Keep track of how many doses you take in 24 hours so you do not exceed the maximum stated on the label.
• Leave a 2-hour gap between this product and other oral medicines you are taking.
• Check with a pharmacist first if you have kidney problems, given the potassium content of this formulation.

Gaviscon Advance Liquid is manufactured by Reckitt Benckiser and has the highest sodium alginate concentration among the Gaviscon liquid and tablet formulations sold in Malaysia, distinguished further by its use of potassium bicarbonate instead of sodium bicarbonate.

Precautions: Use with caution if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, elderly, have kidney problems, or are taking medicines that affect blood potassium levels – speak with a doctor or pharmacist first in these situations. Do not use as a substitute for a doctor’s assessment if symptoms are severe, new, or accompanied by unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing, or vomiting blood.

When to See a Doctor or Pharmacist: Seek medical advice if symptoms persist beyond 7 days of regular use, recur frequently, or are accompanied by chest pain, difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, or black or bloody stools.