Gastrocote Tablets
TABLETS
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine.
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Index
1. What Gastrocote tablets are and what they are used for
2. Before you take
3. How to take
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store
6. Further information
1. What Gastrocote tablets are and what they are used for
Gastrocote tablets contain a combination of medicines called antacids and alginates. Antacids work by neutralising the stomach acids and alginates help to protect the lining of the gullet from stomach acid.
Gastrocote tablets ease the discomfort of indigestion and heartburn including:
• heartburn in pregnancy
• gastric reflux and reflux oesophagitis (when acid from your stomach escapes into your food pipe and causes inflammation)
• acid indigestion.
2. Before you take
Do not take Gastrocote tablets if you or your child:
• are allergic (hypersensitive) to alginic acid, dried aluminium hydroxide, magnesium trisilicate, sodium bicarbonate or any of the other ingredients (see section 6).
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Gastrocote tablets if you:
• are diabetic, as this product contains 1g of sucrose per tablet
• have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars
• are on a low sodium diet as this product contains 0.91mmols (21mg) of sodium per tablet
• have kidney problems
• are on a controlled phosphate diet
• are taking antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin or tetracycline
Do not take Gastrocote tablets within two hours of any other medicine.
3. How to take
Chew the tablets before swallowing. Doses:
Adults, the elderly and children over 6 years:
1 or 2 tablets to be chewed four times a day, after main meals and at bedtime.
Do not give to children under 6
unless your doctor tells you to.
If you take more than you should
If you (or someone else) swallow a lot of tablets at the same time, or you think a child may have swallowed any, contact your nearest hospital casualty department or tell your doctor immediately.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Gastrocote tablets can have side effects, although these don’t affect everyone.
• Flatulence (wind) may occur.
If you notice this or any other side effect, stop use and tell your doctor or pharmacist. They will tell you what to do.
5. How to store
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Store below 25°C.
Protect from moisture.
Do not use Gastrocote tablets after the expiry date stated on the label. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. Further information
What Gastrocote tablets contain
• The active substances (the ingredients that make the tablet work) are alginic acid 200mg, dried aluminium hydroxide gel 80mg, magnesium trisilicate 40mg, sodium bicarbonate 70mg
• The other ingredients are microcrystalline or powdered cellulose, carmellose sodium, butterscotch flavour, magnesium stearate, sugar.
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What Gastrocote tablets look like and contents of the pack
Gastrocote tablets are off-white uncoated tablets with GASTROCOTE engraved on one side.
They are supplied in pots of 20.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Actavis Group PTC ehf, Reykjavfkurvegi 76-78,
220 Hafnarfjordur, Iceland.
Manufacturer
Custom Pharmaceutical Ltd,
Conway Street Hove,
East Sussex, BN3 3LW
Distributor
Actavis, Barnstaple, EX32 8NS, UK
Gastrocote is a trade mark of Actavis group PTC ehf
Date of revision: December 2010