Pepto - Good or bad?

[LaurenCasey]

I've been using Gaviscon for about 18 months now to help with the atrocious acid reflux I suffer due to my anxiety.

The thing is, it's no longer having the same effect, I think my body is just used to it now. I'm having a massive reflux flare up and I just don't know what to do for it. I did try PPI's but I couldn't take them as my anxiety went through the roof thinking I was going to suffer the side effects.

Do any of you use Pepto? I know it's used for various things but would it work for acid reflux? If so, is it any good?

[realdeal1818]

Hi, I went to the doctor in january for a stomach virus that I assumed I had. While I was there, we talked about how badly my acid reflux has flared up lately. To get over the stomach virus and subside my acid (especially the acid part), she told me to try six chewable pepto tablets a day until everything was back to normal. (that was A LOT so, don't do that unless your doctor says so!)

Since then, I've been using pepto to take care of my really bad reflux episodes. It helps me A TON, but not the liquid- just the tablets. The liquid doesn't really help me at all, but that could just be my body! Unfortunately, I have an episode every single night though.. so I can't take pepto all the time. If you find pepto works for you, remember pepto in moderation! The way pepto helps my acid is definitely very 'reliable' whenever I'm feeling sick and I'm guilty of taking a bit too much. It's got an aspirin kick in there and it's unfortunately not very good for your body that often

but to overall answer your question, yes, the pepto chewable tablets help my acid so so much! I can feel it working in my stomach in less than an hour

[Asil]

I have ranitidine 150mg twice a day prescribed by the doc. it reduces the acid produced.
You can buy zantac which is the same just not as strong. I couldnt take ppi's they made me feel ill.

[k10]

Pepto works the best for d*, but I've taken it for acid reflux too. I mostly take Zantac/Ranitidine when I have acid like Asil said. Zantac is the exact same thing as Ranitidine. Ranitidine is just the generic version, Zantac is a name brand - you can get either in various strengths. I take 150mg twice per day when my acid is really bad.

[LaurenCasey]

Thanks for the replies guys

My mum used to take Zantac when she suffered reflux, she no longer does as she's sorted her diet out.. I should probably do the same. Anyway, my mum couldn't recommend them enough so I tried taking them, even though they're tiny I still couldn't swallow them so had them with a bit of bread. They just didn't seem to work Everyone says how good they are but do you think the fact I took them with bread stopped them from working?

[Asil]

I take mine half an hour before food. Ive noticed the times i have forgotten to take them and had breakfast then the acid is really bad by mid day and if i take them when its really bad they take longer to work. I need 150mg to see any effect and mine are a biggish round tablet. Also do you eat apples? They are really good or acid and reflux

[LaurenCasey]

Aaah! Maybe that's where I was going wrong, I was always taking them AFTER food or when my acid was at its worst. I was only ever taking them at night time too so maybe they were working while I was asleep so I didn't actually feel any better. Thank you for that Asil, I'm going to get some more tomorrow and try taking them again before eating

[jadeshine]

Alka Seltzer Gold actually works really well for me! It doesn't taste as bad as the normal kind, also doesn't have the painkiller in it and it's extra strength.

[Asil]

No problem, if your buying the 75mg zantac from the chemist then take 2 of them that should definately work ..... Good luck and give apples a try if you like them.