Indigestion medicines Q&As
Published by Bupa's health information team, June 2009.
Answers to questions about indigestion medicines
This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.
- Can I take indigestion medicines when I am pregnant?
- If my indigestion medicine isn't working, can I combine it with another type?
- Are there any indigestion medicines that can be given to children?
Can I take indigestion medicines when I am pregnant?
Some indigestion medicines are better than others to treat indigestion if you're pregnant. Antacids are usually recommended as the first-choice medicine to treat indigestion in pregnancy, because they provide effective and rapid symptom relief. If you continue to suffer from indigestion when pregnant, talk to your GP or pharmacist about alternative medicines you can take.
Explanation
There are three main types of indigestion medicine - antacids and alginates, H2-blockers and proton pump inhibitors. These medicines work in different ways and some are a better choice than others if you're pregnant. If a medicine passes to your unborn baby via your blood, doctors need to consider whether it will cause harm to the baby.
Antacids aren't known to be harmful to your baby if used occasionally during pregnancy. These medicines are therefore recommended as first choice in this situation. H2-blockers and proton pump inhibitors should only be used with caution during pregnancy. If antacids don't help your indigestion and if symptoms persist, you should talk to your GP or pharmacist about alternative medicines you can take.
Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine and if you have any questions, ask your GP or pharmacist for advice.
Further information
- electronic Medicines Compendium
www.emc.medicines.org.uk
Sources
- Constipation, haemorrhoids, and heartburn in pregnancy. BMJ Clinical Evidence. www.clinicalevidence.com, accessed 16 September 2008
- Joint Formulary Committee, British National Formulary. 56th ed. London: British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, 2008:37-48
If my indigestion medicine isn't working, can I combine it with another type?
You should never combine medicines unless specifically told to do so by your GP. If your symptoms don't go away or come back frequently, you should talk to your GP about other medicines that may help relieve your symptoms.
Explanation
Antacids are generally recommended as the first-choice treatment for indigestion. These medicines are available over the counter from your pharmacy. Some antacids contain additional medicines such as alginates. These two ingredients are known to work well together to treat indigestion. If you have indigestion and the symptoms don't go away or keep coming back after taking antacids and/or alginates, you should talk to your GP or pharmacist about alternative medicines. You should never combine medicines without talking to your GP or pharmacist because some medicines interact with each other and can be dangerous when taken together.
Before recommending a different or additional medicine for your indigestion, your GP may want to make certain that there isn't another reason for your indigestion, such as hiatus hernia or infection with bacteria called H. pylori. He or she may refer you to a gastroenterologist - a doctor specialising in identifying and treating conditions of the digestive system.
Some medicines can cause indigestion (for example, calcium antagonists, nitrates, theophyllines, bisphosphonates, corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - NSAIDs), so your GP will want to review other medicines you're taking. If he or she can't find an obvious reason for your indigestion, your doctor may recommend that you take additional medicines such as proton pump inhibitors or H2-blockers in combination with antacids. You should never combine medicines unless specifically told to do so by your GP.
Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine and if you have any questions, ask your GP or pharmacist for advice.
Further information
- electronic Medicines Compendium
www.emc.medicines.org.uk
Sources
- Dyspepsia: management of dyspepsia in adults in primary care. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), 2004, Clinical Guideline 17. www.nice.org.uk
Are there any indigestion medicines that can be given to children?
If your child has indigestion, your GP may recommend an indigestion medicine containing antacids or alginates (eg Maalox). Proton pump inhibitors and H2-blockers should only be considered in children who don't respond to alginate medicines and should only be given to children if prescribed by a health professional.
If you have been prescribed medicine for indigestion, you should never give that medicine to your child even if he or she has the same medical condition.
Explanation
Indigestion can affect children as well as adults. If your child has indigestion you should first consider whether you can address the cause of the problem. Known causes of indigestion symptoms include stress and anxiety, certain foods (particularly high-fat foods) and not eating regular meals. If any of these are the cause of your child's indigestion, try to treat the symptoms by making changes to his or her lifestyle. For example, reduce stress, adjust your child's diet and ensure he or she eats at regular intervals.
In general, indigestion medicines containing alginate are the first choice of medicine for indigestion in children. Proton pump inhibitors and H2-blockers should only be considered in children who don't respond to lifestyle changes and alginate medicines, and should only be given to children if prescribed by a health professional.
If you have been prescribed medicine for indigestion, you should never give that medicine to your child even if he or she has the same medical condition. Giving children medicines that have been prescribed to adults can be dangerous.
Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine and if you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Further information
- electronic Medicines Compendium
www.emc.medicines.org.uk
Sources
- Joint Formulary Committee, British National Formulary. 56th ed. London: British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, 2008:38
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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
Publication date: June 2009
Indigestion medicines factsheet
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