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Gaviscon vs Rennie and other heartburn remedies
Heartburn might not be on your Christmas wish list but it may make an uninvited appearance thanks to all of that festive feasting.
We asked Alwyn Fortune, community pharmacist and spokesperson for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, what you can do to prevent and treat digestive discomfort this Christmas.
Plus, we compare the available remedies on cost and active ingredients to help you choose the best option for you.
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Heartburn remedies compared
Heartburn remedies typically work to relieve symptoms by:
- Neutralising excess stomach acid - using antacids such as calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate
- Forming a protective barrier over the contents of the stomach to prevent acid leaking up into the oesophagus and causing discomfort (using alginates such as sodium alginate).
You typically take them after a meal or at the onset of symptoms. They can come in liquid or tablet form, and major brands include Gaviscon and Rennie.
They can be pricey, and there are lots of variants to choose from. Here we explain how to pick the right one for you:
Gaviscon Original, Advance and Double Action
All three main products in the Gaviscon range contain a combination of alginates and antacids as their active ingredients, and come in both liquid and tablet form.
The difference is the number of active ingredient they contain: Gaviscon Advance has twice as much sodium alginate as the others - 1,000mg per 10ml, while Gaviscon Double Action has twice as much acid-neutralising calcium carbonate as Gaviscon Original.
If you need to watch your sodium intake, Gaviscon Advance contains potassium carbonate instead.
There are several flavours of each, including mint, aniseed and berry flavour. Make sure you check the label on the front to ensure it's one you can stomach.
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Cheapest place to buy Gaviscon
When we looked at prices for a 600ml bottle of Gaviscon Original liquid on 2 December 2024, the cheapest were:
It's around £13-14 typically but there are periodic offers on at supermarkets and high street pharmacies so it's worth shopping around. You should be able to find it for around £10.
Gaviscon Advance and Double Action are generally more expensive - with a retail price of around £17 for a larger 600ml bottle of Gaviscon Double Action, around £10.50 for a smaller 300ml bottle and around £6 for an even smaller 150ml bottle.
However, again, you shouldn't need to pay full-price. Look out for multi-buys or member offers which usually bring the price down to around £13-15 for a 600ml bottle, £10 for 300ml and £4.50 for 150ml.
There are also own-brand or generic alternatives available, including:
- Peptac antacid solution, £4.99 for 500ml (£1 per 100ml, Pharmacy2U)
- Acidex Liquid oral suspension, £5.99 for 500ml (£1.20 per 100ml, Savers)
- Tesco Heartburn and Indigestion liquid, £6 for 500ml (£1.20 per 100ml, Tesco)
- Superdrug Indigestion and Heartburn Relief, (£6.99 for 500ml, £1.40 per 100ml, Superdrug)
- Sainsbury's Heartburn and Indigestion liquid, (£6.20 for 500ml, £1.24 per 100ml, Sainsbury's)
- Boots Heartburn Relief, (£6.50 for 500ml, £1.30 per 100ml, Boots)
How to save money on Gaviscon
Buy bigger quantities or volumes
Smaller bottles are typically worse value, though if you don't need to take it regularly then you may not need a big bottle. The shelf life is around two years once opened.
Bottles are generally cheaper than tablets or sachets
Liquid sachets are typically pricier per dose, though if you are travelling you may find these or tablets more convenient than a heavy glass bottle.
Tablets can be more pricey, but it depends on the offer you find. Bear in mind when comparing the cost that you're usually recommended to take two tablets, and a dose of the liquid is 10-20ml for adults.
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Rennie and other antacids
Other over-the-counter heartburn remedies include antacids, which just contain an acid neutraliser.
They typically contain calcium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate as the active ingredient. Formulas with sodium bicarbonate should be avoided if you're on a low-salt diet.
Antacid tablets are typically cheaper - for example we found Rennie indigestion tablets for 16p per two-tablet dose (£5.99 for 72 tablets, Superdrug), and own-brand versions for around 12p per dose. The cheapest Gaviscon liquid we found by contrast was around 33p per dose).
Some contain slightly less calcium carbonate - 500mg per tablet rather than 680mg:
- Setlers antacid chewable tablets (£1.39 for 36, 4p each, available at Savers and B&M)
- Superdrug antacid tablets (£2.99 for 48, 6p each, available at Superdrug)
- Boots indigestion tablets (£2.85 for 48 - 6p each, available at Boots)
Most are chewable, so you may find them convenient for when on the go.
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Longer-acting options: Proton pump inhibitors, H2 antagonists and GaviNatura
Longer-acting or preventative acid reflux treatments include proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole and esomeprazole, and H2 antagonists. Both work to reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces.
If you have more persistent issues, your doctor or pharmacist may recommend one of these medications. But it's better to discuss this with a health professional first, as there are potential side effects to weigh up, and it's important to rule out any other issues first.
What is GaviNatura?
Reckitt Benckiser, the makers of Gaviscon, has a heartburn product called GaviNatura with ingredients including limestone, aloe vera and mallow extract that the brand says create a film to protect the mucosal lining of the stomach and gastrointestinal (GI) tract from acid and other irritants.
It says the tablets can be used in combination with PPI's or H2 antagonists, or when you're coming off these drugs, to help prevent irritation, although you should always speak to your doctor before coming off any medication.
GaviNatura is typically around £10.90 for 14 tablets (78p per dose) although the cheapest place we've found has it for less than half that (£4.99, 36p per dose, Savers).
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Home remedies for heartburn and acid reflux
Heartburn can come on suddenly so you may find it strikes when you don't have any remedies to hand, but Alwyn says these home solutions can help:
- Loosen your clothing. Tight clothing such as a waistband or belt can place pressure on the stomach.
- Sip baking soda with water. Also known as sodium bicarbonate, add half a teaspoon to half a cup of water and drink this alkaline solution to neutralise stomach acid. Remember to look for baking soda or bicarbonate of soda but NOT baking powder, which has a weak acid added to it so isn't the same.
- Drink fat-free skimmed milk. This can bring relief by acting as a temporary buffer between the lining of the stomach and its acidic contents.
- Elevate the head of your bed. The NHS recommends using wood, bricks or books to raise the head of your bed by around 10-20cm so your chest and head are above your waist. This can help to stop stomach acid travelling towards your throat when you're sleeping. Don't use additional pillows as this can increase pressure on your stomach and even worsen symptoms. If it's a regular problem you may want to consider an adjustable bed.
However, Alwyn warns: 'While these actions may offer temporary relief, persistent symptoms warrant medical attention for a proper diagnosis and treatment.'
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How to prevent heartburn
Lifestyle and diet changes can help to manage symptoms:
- Eat smaller meals. Small, frequent meals are better than big ones, plus avoiding trigger foods - the NHS says that heartburn and acid reflux are sometimes made worse by coffee, alcohol, chocolate, tomatoes and fatty or spicy foods.
- Don't eat near to bedtime. Leave three or four hours between eating and going to bed so your food has time to settle.
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle. Being overweight or being a smoker can cause or worsen heartburn, as can some medications - such as anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen.
- Manage anxiety and stress levels. Studies have suggested that anxiety or depression may increase the risk of acid reflux.
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When to see your doctor about acid reflux or heartburn
Heartburn and acid reflux are common conditions, especially in adults aged 40 and above, but if you're not getting relief from over-the-counter treatments or it's a new or persistent issue it's worth seeing your doctor.
A stomach ulcer, hiatus hernia (where part of your stomach moves up into your chest) or a bacterial infection may be responsible for your symptoms, or it may be gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and require investigation or treatment.
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