Ibuprofen & gaviscon (medicine question)

[emilylouisex1]

Can anyone tell me if I can take gaviscon after ibuprofen? Cannot get through to my local pharmacy!
I took ibuprofen for my sciatic type pain at 4pm which helped soooooo much however it has now made my reflux a thousand times worse! I am retching, I have a horrible horrible feeling in my upper chest/throat it's actually making me feel short of breath. Google has mixed answers some say no, some say yes and actually google says not to take if you have reflux which of course I didn't bother checking beforehand. I feel like I'm going to have a panic attack I'm desperate for an anti acid😭 this is horrid

Key facts. You'll usually take Gaviscon after meals and at bedtime. You should feel the benefit of taking Gaviscon soon after taking it, and it will last for around 4 hours. It's safe to take paracetamol at the same time as Gaviscon but do not take ibuprofen or aspirin with it.
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/gaviscon/#:~:text=2.-,Key%20facts,ibuprofen%20or%20aspirin%20with%20it.

Yes I saw that but because it says 'with' I didn't know if it was safe to take a few hours later? Or maybe I'm reading too much into it

You poor thing. I can't find any issue with taking gaviscon after ibuprofen. No interactions on BNF or Drugs.com. That NHS but seems worded unclearly. I am not an HCP, just checking the online resources for interactions.

If you look at the NHS page for ibuprofen it does not mention any issue with taking gaviscon:

www.nhs.uk/medicines/ibuprofen-for-adults/taking-ibuprofen-with-other-medicines-and-herbal-supplements/

If your symptoms are still bad, ring 111, OP.

I saw that too, but then I saw another page only to take two hours after. I don't want to call 111 as literally the moment I swallowed the ibuprofen I felt like it was coming back up, so it seems the flare had already started, the tablet just triggered it to start😭😭

Thank you. I'm not going to call 111 for this as I don't think it will do much good, they'll probably just tell me to go a&e as always 😭 I had something like this a week and a bit ago and I vomited twice, I was up through the night retching, docs don't know what's going on yet, waiting for my callback for a referral to gastro. Personally think I might have gastroperiasis but I'm just speculating

I’ve taken the two together frequently without any issues. I feel your pain, reflux is just dreadful. Really hope you feel better soon

.

Really? I only have the tablet form currently, I want to ease this it's so horrid I cannot even function😭😭😭 I'm currently working from home and struggling to even concentrate due to my urging. Even pregnancy heartburn was easier than this😭😭😭

That sounds miserable, OP. I think it's advised to avoid all ibuprofen type drugs if you have unclear stomach issues. Have you tried Cocodamol for a few days?

if you have reflux you should not be taking ibuprofen. You should ask your doctor for an alternative. It's a stomach irritant and can cause gastric bleeds

I know, I didn't even realise! I feel so silly. Only knew this evening when I did a google🤦🏻‍♀️ I do have cocodomal and so regret taking this now. How long does ibuprofen stay in your system?😂😂😭😭😭

Please I have anxiety, this doesn't help

so sorry, just saying because it is incredibly dangerous. I have GERD and hiatus hernia and can't take any NSAID drugs at all. Take the gaviscon and omerporazole/lansaprazole if you have any.

Some hours, but I think it's the immediate effect in contact with your stomach that causes the issue. Did you have it with food? (Really important to protect your stomach). Have a big glass of water to flush through.

Try something like omeprazole for longer term management.

Iirc the recommended gap between taking meds is two hours so you should be fine to take gaviscon now!

I don't know what I have, I've never had investigations until now.
Will I be ok? This has really scared me...

Yes I did! Had some pasta and about 30 mins after I took it...

I have to take naproxen for my periods and take it with a low dose omeprazole. Never been told I can't have Gaviscon though and they know I have that sometimes for heartburn. I just can't have it within two hours either side of the omeprazole.

Thank you.
Honestly terrified to take anything else at this point 😭 I didn't know I couldn't take ibuprofen with stomach issues, I feel so stupid.

As someone else said, I've also taken them together numerous times and not had any issues. Tbh, I didn't think to check!

Thank you. I was going to try it but after the comments I am way too scared, only because I have bad stomach issues and didn't know it could be serious if I was to take ibuprofen, I will never touch it again after this

You can get Nexium over the counter, otherwise known as esomeprazole which is safe to take with NSAIDS (ibubrofen and aspirin etc.). In fact I am on low dose aspirin for cardiac and take lanzoprazole (like nexium) every day 30mg to protect my stomach in which had ulcers in the past.

Obviously I am not a doctor so check the packets. Nexium helps prevent stomach acid so might be worth trying instead of Gaviscon any time you need to take Ibubrofen.

Ibuprofen and Nexium Interactions Checker - Drugs.com

You can buy Omeprazole over the counter, supermarkets often have it. Go and get some it’s much more effective than Gaviscon. I’m surprised you haven’t been prescribed it for your reflux?

@emilylouisex1 you will be fine, have a big gulp of gaviscon for now. Try to eat some bland food to give your stomach some extra lining