Gaviscon Peppermint Liquid

Gaviscon Peppermint 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 500mg sodium alginate, 267mg sodium bicarbonate, and 160mg calcium carbonate, along with a peppermint flavouring and preservatives including methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218) and propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216).

This is the original Gaviscon liquid formula within the wider Gaviscon range, which also includes the Double Action and Advance variants sold under different names and strengths. The alginate and antacid combination forms a raft-like layer on top of stomach contents when it reaches the stomach, distinguishing it in mechanism from plain antacid-only products that neutralise acid without this raft-forming step.

Gaviscon Peppermint Liquid is typically sold in bottles (commonly 200ml) or as single-dose 10ml sachets in packs of various counts, giving customers a choice between a refillable bottle for home use and portable sachets for use away from home.

• Take 10-20ml (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 if taking from a bottle rather than a single-dose sachet.
• If using the sachet format, tear along the marked line and pour the entire contents directly into the mouth, or measure with the dosing cup if provided with the bottle format. 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 Gaviscon 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: 10-20ml 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 for more than 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.

Store below 25°C, away from direct sunlight and excessive heat. Do not freeze. Keep the bottle or sachets in the original packaging, tightly closed, 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, sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, or to the parahydroxybenzoate preservatives (E218, E216) used in this formulation.
• Not suitable for anyone who has been advised to follow a strictly low-sodium diet without first checking with a doctor or pharmacist, as this product contains a notable amount of sodium.
• 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 and other oral drugs, particularly antibiotics such as tetracyclines or quinolones, iron supplements, and digoxin.
• The calcium carbonate content means very frequent use alongside calcium or vitamin D supplements should be discussed with a pharmacist to avoid excessive calcium intake.
• 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.
• Take your dose after meals and at bedtime rather than on an empty stomach for the intended raft-forming effect to work as designed.
• Carry single-dose sachets with you if you are frequently away from home at mealtimes.
• 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 the sodium content on the label if you are on a doctor-advised low-sodium diet.

Gaviscon Peppermint Liquid is manufactured by Reckitt Benckiser and is one of three distinct Gaviscon liquid formulations sold in Malaysia, alongside Gaviscon Double Action and Gaviscon Advance, each with a different active ingredient ratio.

Precautions: Use with caution if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, elderly, have kidney problems, or are on a medically supervised low-sodium diet – 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.