It drives me up the wall seeing people buy Nurofen or Imodium, I've lost count at the amount of times I have tried to explain to people that there is almost no difference (and it some cases none) between these name brand shysters and generic medication containing the same active ingredient.

and don't even get me started on the lady I used to work with who swore blind that the Nurofen she had for period pain worked but the standard Nurofen for headaches didn't help with her period pain she just would not accept that it was exactly the same drug in a different box...

Well it stops my heart burn everytime without fail. Maybe u av never tried :/

Bicarbonate of soda in warm cost nearly nothing

all free in Scotland! on the NHS which is nice.

so cold from me.!

My mate Gavin passed away recently due to an over dose of these heatburn tablets.

I can't believe Gav-is-gone.......:wink:

Each of us has a unique eco-system in our stomach, so everyone is different.

I had a stomach ulcer, gastritis, bad IBS and a large hiatus hernia (which I didn't know about at the time), so they gave me omeprazole.

I hated it, and changed my diet, and found I didn't need it for several months whilst I waited for endoscopy.

I discovered the low FODMAP diet and that worked (and still does) wonders. Basically cut out all lactose, wheat, onions, porcessed foods, alcohol, stone based fruit like apples, etc ...and I haven't looked back since.

I would worry about taking omeprazole long term as it's stopping the stomach from producing acid naturally, something the stomach starts to do naturally with age anyway. I figure it's better to change diet now, rather than perhaps have worse problems in older age.

Booze aggravates acid problems a lot.
Proton pump inhibitors work far better than all the others - but were only intended for short term use ??

Always found peppermint tablets a superior and cheaper alternative

Do we need one of these threads for all things of common sense then?

Generic ibuprofen is cheaper yet the same...
Paracetamol with caffine in is cheap amd awesomeibuprofen wuth caffine is about 60pence and the same as a five pound branded box.

And a biggy for me is that cheap immodims 59pence in home bargains and that is literally the exact same chem makeup.

Not completely true - if you are on a low sodium diet for high blood pressure you need to be careful as these antacids contain a lot of sodium.

Wow,gaviscon is about as much use as bayleys! Have tryed all heart burn treatments and omeprazole is the best.I have had " Gerd" since me early thirtys,started with gav/pepto/ranitidine.Then came across omeprazole.I take 20mg x 2 a day for 1 month,it lasts 6 months before i get another attack of gerd.Stay off the energy drinks/pastries/red meat/spirits.Get them off ebay 200 20mg for £5.50 free delivery,never had problem with them as there sealed caps with tiny white balls in them,same as doctors.£15 in boots for 28 10mg(solid form).Gaviscon is for basic heartburn,which can be sorted with Bicarbonate of Soda, half a teaspoon in 50ml of water,its £1 at most supermarkets.If that dont work,hit the ranitidine ,6 for a £1 at home bargins or poundland last 24 hours.If thats not working your stomach is bad and you best see doctor for tests or your diet is bad.I have had omeprazole in liquid through a drip and oral.It works fast to rebuild and stop ulcers.If you have hit the pain killers hard/i.e :tramadol/nsaids/
then gaviscons no good.You need omeprazole for a month.

There be an even more expensive one, beguns with e and i forget name.

Anyway ive been taking them for 2 years since i had an ulcer rupture. I still need gaviscon sometimes, once a month or so will get rapid onset of stomach acid.

I used to use this a lot, then I tried Peppermint Oil instead. I've found it very effective and gentle, also cheaper and natural. It's about £12 for 240 capsules, when on the Penny Sale (April?) at H&B. It might work for some: http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/holland-barrett-extra-strength-oil-of-peppermint-capsules-200mg-60005010

Get some Omeprazole or lansoprezole; one tablet per day, completely eliminates heartburn.

Don't know about this one but Peptac is not as effective as gaviscon.and it really tastes horrible.

It drives me up the wall seeing people buy Nurofen or Imodium, I've lost count at the amount of times I have tried to explain to people that there is almost no difference (and it some cases none) between these name brand shysters and generic medication containing the same active ingredient.

and don't even get me started on the lady I used to work with who swore blind that the Nurofen she had for period pain worked but the standard Nurofen for headaches didn't help with her period pain she just would not accept that it was exactly the same drug in a different box...

Proton-pump inhibitors such as Omeprazole are available on prescription so if you ask your doctor I don't see why you couldn't get them if you had genuine need, I used to get them when I was taking a NSAID's which required stomach protection.

As I have a medical condition which requires regular medication I have a prescription prepayment certificate so I usually just put in requests for other medication in with my usual repeats such as Co-Codamol or Paracetamol.

you save a small fortune over the year.

heat from me

Hahaha, see, I was thinking... You'd only need to work there for half a day.. Once you've got your white coat- well, the worlds your oyster, isn't it? :smiley: I have a friend who worked in a chemist, years ago.. ( they gave her a white coat) .. She used to say ' stop asking me about medical things, I advise ppl which dandruff shampoo to buy!' See, the white coat made her only one step away from being a doctor :smiley:

Heat added op, but wondering if you have a new job at the chemist.... :smiley:

I take Omeprazole but luckily for me my boyfriend buys them in Spain for me. 28 tablets, 20mg for only 2 euros 42cents. Don't know why they have to cost so much more here :disappointed: And I still need to take Gaviscon type sometimes as well. Usually buy Asdas but it's £4.50 so will try to find the Peptac. Don't have waitrose here.

wilkos do one for around 5 quid. its got magnesium alginate instead of sodium alginate.. hope thats useful.....

Have to agree, Mr W. I was astounded by them after suffering for years.

Trouble is the main proprietary brand - Nexium - costs a pound a tablet.

As your doctor for a generic.

This is the Peptac post if you want to look for Peptac:

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/indigestion-heartburn-reflux-using-gaviscon-almost-identical-peptac-less-than-half-2414924