Acidex vs Gaviscon: How Heartburn Treatments Really Compare

Searching for an alternative to Gaviscon usually comes down to one of three things. The bottle may not seem to be helping as much as you would like, the cost of buying it regularly may be adding up, or you may simply want to know whether another product contains similar ingredients.

If you are comparing Acidex vs Gaviscon, Acidex is one of the closest like for like alternatives to Gaviscon Original. Acidex contains sodium alginate, sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate in the same amounts per 10ml as Gaviscon Original. Both are reflux suppressants that form a layer over the stomach contents and also contain antacid ingredients.

The word alternative can mean different things, though. Some products have almost the same active ingredients under another name. Others sit alongside Gaviscon on pharmacy shelves but work differently. These include plain antacids, proton pump inhibitors, H2 receptor antagonists and some medical devices.

This guide looks at those options in simple terms. It explains what separates them, why the exact formulation matters, and when ongoing symptoms need a medical review rather than another over the counter product.

Key things to know

• Gaviscon is a reflux suppressant, not a proton pump inhibitor. It contains alginate, which forms a protective layer over stomach contents, along with antacid ingredients in many formulations.
• Acidex and Peptac are examples of reflux suppressants that work in a similar way to Gaviscon. The NHS lists them as alternatives that may be suggested if Gaviscon does not work well for you or does not suit you.
• Acidex Original contains the same three active ingredients as Gaviscon Original in the same amounts per 10ml: sodium alginate 500mg, sodium bicarbonate 267mg and calcium carbonate 160mg.
• Rennie and similar plain antacids work differently. They neutralise stomach acid but do not contain alginate, so they do not form the same type of raft.
• Different Gaviscon products have different formulations. Gaviscon Original, Double Action and Advance should not be treated as though they are the same product.
• Gaviscon Original contains 142.6mg of sodium per 10ml. The product information describes it as high in sodium, which matters for people who have been advised to follow a low salt diet or who have certain heart or kidney conditions.
• If you need a reflux medicine regularly for more than a short period, it is worth speaking to a pharmacist or doctor rather than simply increasing how much you take. NHS guidance advises speaking to a doctor if symptoms have not improved after 7 days of self treatment with Gaviscon.

Is Gaviscon a Proton Pump Inhibitor?

No. Gaviscon and proton pump inhibitors work in very different ways.

Gaviscon is a reflux suppressant. Its alginate reacts with stomach contents and forms a protective layer that can help reduce the amount of stomach contents moving back into the food pipe. It also contains antacid ingredients in many formulations, which help neutralise some of the acid already present.

Proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, work further down the chain. Medicines such as omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, esomeprazole and rabeprazole reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach.

H2 receptor antagonists, such as famotidine, also reduce acid production, but they do so through a different mechanism.

This difference affects when each type of medicine is useful. Gaviscon usually starts working soon after a dose and the effect of one dose lasts for around four hours.

PPIs are not designed to give the same type of immediate relief. For example, lansoprazole usually starts to improve symptoms within 2 to 3 days, although it can take up to 4 weeks to reach its full effect.

That does not make one treatment automatically better than the other. They are used for different situations. Someone with occasional heartburn may need short term symptom relief, while someone with frequent reflux may need treatment that reduces acid production.

Longer courses of acid suppressing medicines should be reviewed when appropriate, particularly if symptoms continue or keep returning.

The Closest Thing to a Gaviscon Generic

If you are looking for something similar to Gaviscon, Acidex and Peptac are two names worth knowing. The NHS lists both as reflux suppressants that work in a similar way to Gaviscon and says a doctor or pharmacist may suggest one if Gaviscon does not work or does not suit you.

It is more accurate to call Acidex a like-for-like alternative rather than simply calling it a generic version of Gaviscon. Acidex is a separate licensed medicine, although Acidex Original has the same three active ingredients as Gaviscon Original in the same amounts per 10ml.

Acidex Original contains:

• 500mg sodium alginate per 10ml
• 267mg sodium bicarbonate per 10ml
• 160mg calcium carbonate per 10ml

Gaviscon Original contains the same amounts.

This means that if you are comparing Acidex Original with Gaviscon Original, the active ingredient comparison is straightforward. Taste, flavourings, inactive ingredients, packaging and price can still differ.

Why Strength Matters When You Compare

The important thing to remember is that Gaviscon is a brand with several different formulations.

Gaviscon Original contains 500mg of sodium alginate per 10ml, along with sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate. Gaviscon Advance contains twice as much sodium alginate per 10ml and uses potassium hydrogen carbonate instead of sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate.

Acidex also comes in different formulations. Acidex Original contains 500mg of sodium alginate per 10ml, while Acidex Advance contains 1000mg of sodium alginate and 200mg of potassium hydrogen carbonate per 10ml.

So when you compare products, check the exact version rather than comparing brand names alone.

This is why switching from one product to another without checking the label can sometimes give you a different formulation from the one you were using.

The Sodium Question Nobody Mentions

Sodium is worth checking if you use an alginate product regularly.

Gaviscon Original contains 142.6mg of sodium in each 10ml dose. The product information says this is equivalent to 7.1% of the recommended maximum daily intake for an adult. Its maximum recommended daily dose contains 1140.8mg of sodium, which is equivalent to 57% of that maximum.

This does not mean that Gaviscon is unsuitable for everyone. It means that the sodium content is worth considering if you have been advised to follow a low salt diet or have certain heart or kidney conditions.

Gaviscon Double Action contains 127.88mg of sodium per 10ml.

Gaviscon Advance uses potassium hydrogen carbonate rather than sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate. It still contains some sodium, and it also contains potassium, so people with kidney problems or conditions requiring potassium restrictions should check with a healthcare professional before regular use.

For occasional use, the sodium content may not be a major concern for most people. If you are taking these products several times a day for weeks or months, it is worth discussing your options with a pharmacist or prescriber.

The exact sodium content can vary between formulations, so check the product information for the medicine you are actually taking.

Rennie, Riopan and Other Plain Antacids for Heartburn Relief

The comparison between Gaviscon and Rennie is useful because they work differently.

Rennie is a plain antacid containing calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. It neutralises acid that is already present in the stomach. Gaviscon products containing alginate also provide a physical barrier that helps reduce reflux into the food pipe.

That does not mean Rennie is a weaker version of Gaviscon. It is simply a different type of medicine.

If your main problem is occasional indigestion or a burning feeling after eating, a plain antacid may be suitable for short term relief. If the main problem is acid or stomach contents coming back up into the food pipe, an alginate product may be more suitable because of the way it forms a protective layer.

If you switch from an alginate product to a plain antacid and find that it does not feel as helpful for regurgitation, the difference in how the products work may explain why.

Medical Devices and Mucosal Protectants

Some products that appear in searches for Gaviscon alternatives are not licensed medicines. They may instead be medical devices. This is important because medical devices and medicines are regulated differently and are supported by different types of evidence.

That does not automatically mean that a medical device is ineffective. It simply means you should not assume that a product has been assessed in exactly the same way as a licensed medicine.

Medicine, Device or Supplement

A licensed medicine has a marketing authorisation or product licence and is supplied with information about its approved uses, ingredients, dosage and warnings.

Medical devices are regulated according to different rules, focusing on their intended purpose, safety and performance. The evidence and regulatory requirements are not the same as those used for medicines.

Food supplements are different again. They are regulated as food and should not be presented as medicines for treating a medical condition.

If you are comparing products online, checking what type of product you are actually buying can be more useful than relying on claims on the front of the packaging.

Ziverel

Ziverel is a product based on hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate in a bioadhesive formulation. It is designed to coat the oesophageal lining and provide a physical protective effect. Studies have looked at its use in people whose reflux symptoms continued despite PPI treatment.

The evidence is not the same as evidence for a standard medicine, and Ziverel should not be presented as a direct replacement for a PPI or an alginate. It works in a different way and may be considered in particular situations.

NeoBianacid

NeoBianacid is a product based on a complex called Poliprotect. It contains plant derived polysaccharides, minerals and a flavonoid fraction and is designed to provide a protective effect over the mucosa. The manufacturer describes it as being used for reflux and dyspepsia symptoms.

It is not simply another version of Gaviscon. Its ingredients and proposed mechanism are different, so it is better to compare it as a separate option rather than as a direct Gaviscon equivalent.

Refluthin

Refluthin is a medical device containing calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate and Opuntia ficus indica extract. A published prospective study assessed it for short term, on demand use for heartburn and acid related stomach discomfort. The study did not have a control group, so its results should be interpreted with that limitation in mind.

The product instructions limit the dose to four tablets a day and advise against daily use for more than 14 consecutive days. If you are considering it for frequent symptoms, it is sensible to speak to a pharmacist or doctor rather than using it continuously.

Reflux G

Reflux G and similar products can appear in online searches for reflux alternatives, particularly on websites outside the UK. Availability, regulatory status and formulation can vary by country.

If you are buying a product from outside the UK, check that it is suitable for use in the UK and that you understand whether it is a medicine, medical device or supplement. Online availability does not by itself mean that a product is licensed for the same use in the UK.

When an Alginate Is Not Enough for Acid Reflux Treatment

If you are using an alginate product on most days because your reflux keeps coming back, it may be time to look at the bigger picture.

NICE recommends a full dose proton pump inhibitor for people with gastro oesophageal reflux disease, with treatment adjusted according to the person's response and clinical circumstances. Antacids and alginates can still have a role in self treatment or for symptoms that break through treatment.

Frequent reflux can have several possible causes, including gastro oesophageal reflux disease and hiatus hernia. Being overweight can also increase pressure around the stomach and may contribute to reflux symptoms in some people.

The important point is that regularly needing an over the counter product does not automatically mean you need a stronger product. It means the pattern of your symptoms may be worth reviewing.

Pantoprazole Compared With Gaviscon

Pantoprazole and Gaviscon are not direct alternatives because they work in different ways.

Pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that reduces the amount of acid produced by the stomach. It is not designed to provide the same rapid relief as an alginate.

Gaviscon works locally in the stomach and can start helping soon after a dose. NHS information says the effect of one dose usually lasts around four hours.

In some treatment plans, an alginate may be used for occasional breakthrough symptoms while a PPI is used as the main treatment. Whether that combination is suitable depends on the person and the reason for treatment.

Lansoprazole Strengths and Side Effects of Acid Reflux Medicines

Lansoprazole is available in 15mg and 30mg strengths in the UK. The appropriate strength depends on the condition being treated and how you respond to treatment. A higher strength is not automatically better for everyone.

Common side effects can include headache, nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and stomach pain.

Longer term use can also have some potential risks. NHS information states that taking lansoprazole for more than 3 months may lower magnesium levels, while use for more than a year may increase the chance of certain side effects, including bone fractures, gut infections and vitamin B12 deficiency.

These are potential risks rather than outcomes that will happen to everyone. Your clinician can consider the benefits and risks of longer term treatment based on your symptoms and medical history.

How to Find a Genuinely Cheaper Alternative

Searching for a cheaper alternative to Gaviscon is understandable, but the lowest bottle price does not always mean the lowest cost per dose.

• Compare the price per 100ml rather than just the price of the bottle
• Check the alginate strength before comparing prices
• Compare the exact formulation, such as Original with Original or Advance with Advance
• Look at pharmacy own brand products as well as well known brands
• Compare liquids and tablets separately because the dose and formulation can differ
• Work out how often you use the product. A cheaper bottle may not save money if you need to take it more often
• Check the product information and follow the recommended dose rather than taking more because symptoms are troublesome
• If you are buying the product regularly, speak to a pharmacist or doctor about whether a longer term treatment plan would make more sense

Acidex Original can be particularly useful to compare with Gaviscon Original because the two products contain the same three active ingredients in the same amounts per 10ml.

Price still varies between pharmacies, pack sizes and formulations, so check the current price before making a decision.

Choosing Based on Your Symptom Pattern

Instead of asking which product is best, it can be more useful to look at what your symptoms actually feel like and how often they happen.

This table is only a general guide. The right treatment depends on your symptoms, medical history and any other medicines you take.

Coffee, spicy foods and alcohol can make reflux symptoms worse for some people, but not everyone has the same triggers. It is usually more helpful to notice which foods or drinks affect your symptoms rather than avoiding large groups of foods without a clear reason.

Eating a large meal close to bedtime can also make reflux symptoms worse. Leaving around three hours between your last meal and going to bed may help some people with night time symptoms.

Stress can affect how strongly some people feel digestive symptoms, although it is not the only cause of reflux. Wearing loose clothing around the waist may also be more comfortable if tight clothing seems to make your symptoms worse.

If heartburn is happening regularly, is getting worse, or keeps returning when you stop treatment, speak to a pharmacist or doctor rather than simply switching between different over the counter products.

Can You Use More Than One at a Time?

Combining an alginate with a proton pump inhibitor is common and the two work by completely different mechanisms, so they are not competing with each other. The timing differs, though. Antacid and alginate products work best with or soon after food, while a proton pump inhibitor is usually taken ahead of a meal.

Timing around meals and bed matters, especially for night-time reflux.

One genuine caution applies to alginates and antacids generally. Product leaflets advise leaving a gap of around two hours between the alginate and other medicines, because the minerals in these products can bind to other drugs and reduce how much of them is absorbed. That includes some antibiotics, thyroid medication and others. If you take regular medication, ask a pharmacist how to space things sensibly. Avoiding food for three or four hours before bed may also reduce symptoms. If excess weight is contributing, gradual weight loss of 1-2 lbs per week can help. This medicine should only be used under the supervision of an appropriately qualified prescriber where a prescription treatment is involved.

When to Stop Self-Treating

NHS guidance suggests speaking to a doctor if you have bought a reflux suppressant yourself and are not feeling better after seven days. If you are taking gaviscon regularly beyond that point, get medical advice rather than continuing to self-treat. Beyond that, some symptoms are not heartburn problems at all and could reflect stomach ulcers or a bacterial infection, so they should be assessed rather than treated over the counter.

• Difficulty swallowing, or pain when you swallow
• Unintentional weight loss
• Persistent vomiting, or vomiting blood
• Black or tarry stools
• Symptoms that started for the first time later in life
• Chest pain you are not certain is heartburn, which should be treated as an emergency and dealt with by calling 999

Daily symptoms, symptoms made worse by lying down, or reflux linked to a hiatus hernia or when part of the stomach moves upward should be medically assessed.

Recurring symptoms may involve the wider digestive system, so temporary relief should not replace diagnosis.

Needing an alginate every single day for months, rather than occasionally, is also worth raising even without any of the above.

Treatment Options Through EveryDayMeds

If an over the counter option is no longer controlling your symptoms, EveryDayMeds is a UK regulated, GPhC-registered pharmacy offering an online consultation reviewed by UK-registered prescribers. You complete a short clinical assessment, a prescriber reviews it, and treatment is dispensed and delivered if it is appropriate for you. Prices below are the standard listed prices and should be confirmed against the live product page at checkout.

Medical Disclaimer

This article is provided for general information only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It does not contain dosing instructions, so always follow the instructions given by your prescriber or those on the product packaging. Whether a treatment is suitable for you depends on your individual circumstances and clinical assessment, and results can vary from person to person. Prescription medicines should only be used under the supervision of an appropriately qualified prescriber.

If you have persistent or worsening symptoms, difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, vomiting blood or passing black stools, seek medical advice promptly. If you have chest pain and are not sure whether it is heartburn, call 999.