Yes. Raft / foam formation is triggered when the Gaviscon® tablet is chewed. The Gaviscon® liquid requires contact with stomach acid to begin raft formation. For best results, follow by drinking half of a glass of water. Note: Any liquid consumption should occur with or immediately following recommended dosage of Gaviscon product. Later eating or drinking may degrade the foam barrier.

The tablets need to be chewed for the raft-forming mechanism to effectively and promptly begin working. Sucking on them won't allow the raft to form all at once, potentially reducing the product's strength. Also, the tablets are somewhat large and are not designed to be swallowed whole.

Our Gaviscon® Liquid is designed with a peel back label. In the lower right hand corner of the back label, there is a "peel here" tab that you will need to pull in order to view the interior of the label. Directions appear on the interior label.

For best results, follow by drinking a half glass of water.

Although Gaviscon® can be taken anytime you have heartburn, it is best to avoid taking Gaviscon® before a meal. Since it forms a foam barrier that sits on top of stomach acid, the food passing through the esophagus into the stomach can disrupt this foam barrier.

As soon as symptoms occur.

Since Gaviscon® works quickly (within 15 minutes), it would be all right to eat or drink again as soon as reflux symptoms subside. However, keep in mind that eating or drinking again will lessen the benefit of Gaviscon® since the foam barrier, which prevents or minimizes acid reflux, may be broken.

We ask that you speak to your physician or pharmacist about the advisability of taking Gaviscon® while you're taking other medications. Since these medical professionals are aware of the properties and the action of the medications you're already on, as well as your personal medical history, they should be able to guide you on the advisability of taking Gaviscon along with those medications. While we recommend that you talk to your physician first, Gaviscon® Acid Breakthrough Formula is perfectly safe to take with your prescription heartburn medication.

Gaviscon® forms a raft on top of the stomach contents that can be expected to last up to 4 hours with Gaviscon Liquid and up to 8 hours with Gaviscon Acid Breakthrough Formula. This is a longer duration than traditional antacids, which last approximately 30-60 minutes.

The following are some tips that may help you reduce the occurrence of reflux:

• Limit fatty, spicy or fried foods
• Avoid high-acid foods, such as tomato products, citrus juices and caffeine
• Limit alcohol intake to moderate amounts
• Wear loose clothing
• Stop smoking
• Lose excess weight
• Sleep with your head elevated
• Don't eat within three hours of bedtime.

All variants in the Gaviscon family begin to work quickly. Gaviscon Liquid has the advantage of very rapid onset of action, generally within just a few minutes. Gaviscon Acid Breakthrough Formula begins to form a foam barrier within seconds.

While Gaviscon® has not been studied for use during pregnancy, ingredients in this product have been shown to be safe for use during pregnancy.

We do not offer a Gaviscon® specifically for infants. We recommend that you speak to your child's pediatrician to determine if Gaviscon® is appropriate.

Aluminum may cause constipation and Magnesium may cause diarrhea.

Gaviscon® Liquid has always had an artificial mint flavor. We added the notation "cool" to the copy a few years ago. Because Gaviscon® liquid uses artificial flavorings, it is not likely to cause reflux.

You may take another dose of Gaviscon® after 2-3 hours.

While we recommend that you talk to your physician first, Gaviscon® Acid Breakthrough Formula is perfectly safe to take with your prescription heartburn medication.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) work by blocking the pumps in the stomach that produce acid. Examples include Prilosec OTC®, Nexium®, and Prevacid®.

At times, even while taking prescription heartburn medications, acidic gastric juices can flow up from your stomach into your esophagus (food pipe) through a valve called the lower esophageal sphincter. This acid reflux irritates the sensitive tissue that lines your esophagus. It’s important to talk to your healthcare professional about all the symptoms you feel in your stomach, chest and throat, because heartburn symptoms can appear as different sensations.

Other heartburn medications, like regular antacids, reduce acidity throughout the stomach and provide only momentary relief of heartburn or breakthrough moments. Gaviscon® - an alginic acid - forms a soothing, protective foam barrier that floats on top of stomach contents right below the lower esophageal sphincter, which has been shown to help prevent acid reflux for up to eight hours.