How does Gaviscon affect the pH of the stomach?
Gaviscon does in fact neutralise some stomach acid – this is an inevitable side effect of the reactions of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and sodium hydrogencarbonate (NaHCO3) which react to form the carbon dioxide which lifts the alginate raft. However, this is much less than the amount of acid neutralised by a simple antacid such as Milk of Magnesia. According to the ingredients list, one 10 cm3 dose of Gaviscon Liquid contains 267 mg sodium hydrogencarbonate and 160 mg calcium carbonate. Gaviscon comes in several other formulations as shown in Figure 7.
