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What is Gaviscon Advance Liquid?
Gaviscon Advance Liquid is a peppermint-flavoured medicine used to relieve heartburn, acid reflux and indigestion. It contains the active ingredients sodium alginate and potassium bicarbonate, which work together to form a protective barrier over the contents of your stomach, helping to prevent stomach acid from travelling back up into your oesophagus.
What's the difference between Gaviscon and Gaviscon Advance?
Gaviscon Advance contains a higher concentration of sodium alginate than standard Gaviscon products. This creates a thicker protective barrier over the contents of your stomach, meaning it can provide longer-lasting protection against acid reflux and heartburn..
Gaviscon Advance is often recommended for people with more persistent reflux or who require additional symptom control. Your pharmacist can help you choose the most appropriate option based on your symptoms.
How does Gaviscon Advance Liquid work?
Gaviscon Advance Liquid works by forming a protective layer over the contents of your stomach, helping to stop stomach acid travelling back into your oesophagus. This relieves the symptoms of acid reflux without reducing the amount of acid your stomach naturally produces.
When you swallow the liquid, the sodium alginate reacts with stomach acid to create a gel-like ‘raft’ that floats on top of the stomach contents. Potassium bicarbonate then releases carbon dioxide, helping the raft remain buoyant, acting as a barrier between your stomach and oesophagus.
If your stomach contents begin to move, this protective layer is carried first, helping to reduce any irritation from stomach acid. Because it works mechanically rather than changing your stomach acid production, Gaviscon Advance can be suitable for many people who need fast symptom relief.
How quickly does it work?
Gaviscon Advance Liquid usually starts working within a few minutes of taking your dose. Because it forms a physical barrier over the stomach contents, it can provide rapid relief from heartburn and acid reflux symptoms.
How long these effects last depends on like what you've eaten and the severity of your symptoms. Taking Gaviscon Advance after meals and before bedtime, as directed, can help maximise its protective effects when reflux is most likely to occur.
How to take Gaviscon Advance Liquid
Always take Gaviscon Advance Liquid exactly as described in the patient information leaflet or as advised by your healthcare professional.
- Shake the bottle well before use and use a measuring spoon or medicine measure to ensure you take the correct dose.
- Adults and children aged 12 years and over should usually take 5-10ml after meals and at bedtime, up to four times a day. Children under 12 years should only take Gaviscon Advance if recommended by a doctor.
- Taking the medicine after eating and before going to bed helps provide protection when reflux symptoms are most likely to occur.
Do not exceed the recommended dose unless you've been advised to do so by your healthcare professional.
If your symptoms persist after seven days of treatment, or continue to return, speak to your GP or pharmacist for further advice.
Possible side effects
Gaviscon Advance Liquid is generally well tolerated, and most people won't experience any side effects when using it as directed.
Like all medicines, however, side effects are possible. Although uncommon, some people may experience an allergic reaction to one of the ingredients.
Stop taking Gaviscon Advance and seek immediate medical attention if you develop:
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
- difficulty breathing or wheezing
- a severe skin rash, itching or hives
These may be signs of a serious allergic reaction that requires urgent medical treatment.
If you experience persistent stomach pain, difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, vomiting blood, black stools or chest pain that spreads to your arm, neck or jaw, seek urgent medical advice immediately, as these symptoms may indicate a more serious condition requiring prompt assessment.
If you notice any other side effects while taking this medicine, speak to your pharmacist, GP or another healthcare professional.
Who shouldn’t use Gaviscon Advance Liquid
Gaviscon Advance Liquid isn't suitable for everyone. Do not take this medicine if you're allergic to sodium alginate, potassium bicarbonate or any of the other ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet.
You should speak to your GP or pharmacist before taking Gaviscon Advance if you:
- have been advised to follow a low-sodium or low-potassium diet
- have kidney disease
- have heart failure or another condition that requires you to limit your sodium intake
- have high levels of calcium in your blood or kidney stones
- are taking other medicines and are unsure whether they can be taken together
As with other antacids, Gaviscon Advance may affect how well some medicines are absorbed. Leave at least two hours between taking Gaviscon Advance and other oral medicines, including certain antibiotics, iron supplements, thyroid medicines and osteoporosis treatments.
Storage information
Store Gaviscon Advance Liquid below 30°C and keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
Do not refrigerate or freeze the medicine. Keep it out of the sight and reach of children and do not use it after the expiry date printed on the bottle and carton.
Always store the medicine in its original packaging and dispose of any unused medicine responsibly. If you're unsure how to dispose of it, your local pharmacy can advise you.
Alternatives to Gaviscon Advance Liquid
Gaviscon Advance Liquid is available in more than one flavour, so if you don't enjoy peppermint, you may prefer Gaviscon Advance Aniseed Flavour Oral Suspension, which contains the same active ingredients and works in the same way.
If you prefer tablets instead of liquid medicines, Gaviscon Advance Chewable Tablets may be a suitable alternative, offering the same protective action in a convenient format.
Depending on your symptoms, you may also wish to consider other heartburn and acid reflux treatments, including:
- Standard Gaviscon products for occasional heartburn and indigestion.
- Acid-neutralising antacids for short-term symptom relief.
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), like omeprazole, which reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces.
- H2-receptor antagonists, which may also be used to reduce stomach acid in some circumstances.
The most suitable treatment depends on how often you experience symptoms, how severe they are, and whether you have any underlying medical conditions. If you're unsure which option is right for you, speak to your pharmacist or GP.
Frequently asked questions about Gaviscon Advance Liquid
Can I take this Gaviscon Advance Liquid if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
Yes, Gaviscon Advance Liquid is generally considered suitable during pregnancy and while breastfeeding when taken as directed. However, you should always speak to your midwife, GP or pharmacist before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
How much Gaviscon is too much?
You should never take more than the recommended dose unless you've been advised to do so by a healthcare professional. For adults and children aged 12 years and over, the usual dose is 5–10ml after meals and at bedtime, up to four times a day.
Taking more than the recommended amount is unlikely to cause serious harm, but it may increase your risk of unwanted effects like bloating or stomach discomfort.
Is Gaviscon Advance as good as omeprazole?
Gaviscon Advance and omeprazole treat heartburn and acid reflux in different ways, so one isn't necessarily better than the other. The right choice depends on your symptoms and what your healthcare professional recommends.
How soon after taking Gaviscon Advance Liquid can I drink water?
You can drink water after taking Gaviscon Advance Liquid. However, it's generally best to avoid drinking large amounts immediately afterwards, as this may reduce the effectiveness of the protective barrier formed by the medicine.
Sources
- Gaviscon Advance Peppermint Flavour Oral Suspension. (2025). EMC. [Accessed 17 July 2026].
- Gaviscon Advance Peppermint Flavour Oral Suspension – Patient Information Leaflet (PIL). (2025). EMC. [Accessed 17 July 2026].
- Heartburn and acid reflux. (2024). NHS. [Accessed 17 July 2026].
- Indigestion. (2025). NHS. [Accessed 17 July 2026].
- GORD. (2024). NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries. [Accessed 17 July 2026].
*Important: On occasion, the packaging on the product you receive may vary from the image displayed on the site. In this instance, you may have received a ‘pharmacy pack’. This is still Gaviscon-branded medicine, but with an outer sleeve. The product is manufactured by Gaviscon and has the exact same ingredients and formulation, meaning it’s not an alternative generic medicine.
