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Antacid / Alginate (GORD Treatment)

Alginic Acid

Brand names: Gaviscon Advance, Gaviscon Infant

Alginic acid is a raft-forming agent, usually combined with an antacid, used for the symptomatic relief of heartburn, acid reflux and dyspepsia.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

In the acidic stomach it forms a viscous gel raft that floats on the gastric contents and acts as a mechanical barrier, reducing reflux of acid into the oesophagus.

Prescribing in practice

  • Combination products containing sodium or calcium salts carry an electrolyte load, so check suitability in patients with sodium-restricted diets, renal impairment or heart failure.
  • Administer after meals and at bedtime, and separate from other oral medicines to avoid impairing their absorption.
  • Alarm features such as dysphagia, unintended weight loss or evidence of gastrointestinal bleeding require investigation rather than ongoing symptomatic treatment.

Monitoring

No specific monitoring is needed; review whether symptoms are controlled and reconsider the diagnosis if they persist.

Counselling the patient

  • Take after meals and at bedtime for the best effect.
  • Separate from your other tablets by a suitable interval.
  • Seek review if heartburn persists or you develop swallowing difficulty.

Evidence & guidelines

Alginate-based raft therapy is an established option for reflux symptoms and is recognised in NICE dyspepsia guidance.

Reference: NICE CKS Dyspepsia — proven GORD (2023); NICE NG1 (Dyspepsia and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, 2014 updated); Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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