Indigestion - is over-the-counter medication useful?
If you have no worrying symptoms (see When should I go to the doctor?) you could try treating your mild, infrequent indigestion yourself. It’s not easy to choose the most suitable over-the-counter medication so you should ask your pharmacist for advice.
There are several different types of indigestion remedies that you can buy over the counter without a prescription.

How do antacids work?
These are alkalis that neutralise the acid in your stomach for a short time. Generally, they have no harmful effects, but some of them can sometimes cause constipation or diarrhoea. Examples of antacids include Aludrox, Rap-eze, Rennie, Setlers and soda mint tablets.

Be sure to tell your pharmacist if you are taking any other medications before you choose what product to buy. This is especially true if you have heart disease, kidney disease or high blood pressure as many antacids contain salt.
Some antacids produce gas as they work and may cause belching.

How can I protect the lining of my stomach and oesophagus?
Some medications protect the linings of the stomach and the oesophagus. Examples of these drugs are Algicon, Gastrocote and Gaviscon. Most of this group of drugs contain alginate (made from seaweed) that floats on the stomach contents and, if you get gastro-oesphageal reflux they soothe the lining of the oesophagus.
These drugs usually contain antacid and may contain salt, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using them if you have other medical conditions or take other medications.

What are antispasmodics?
Alverine citrate and peppermint oil are examples of drugs that reduce the tension in the muscle wall of the stomach. Chewing gum that contains peppermint has a similar effect. These drugs can be useful if you suffer from a nervous stomach or trapped wind; they are natural products and have no significant side effects. Examples include Spasmonal and Colpermin.

What drugs can I take to reduce the amount of acid my stomach produces?
It takes a very powerful drug to reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces. Some of these are only available on prescription from your doctor.
Some acid-suppressing drugs, are known as H2-receptor antagonists. Examples include cimetidine (Geramet and Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), ranitidine (Zantac, Pylorid and Gertac).

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