Now licensed for use in laryngopharyngeal acid reflux. Gaviscon Advance TM, by Reckitt-Benckiser, is widely known as an effective treatment of indigestion and symptoms of gastric acid reflux, including burning behind the chest and pains in the upper part of the abdomen. It works by acting as a protective barrier within the stomach, preventing naturally occurring episodes of acid reflux from entering the oesophagus. The acid stays in the stomach where it causes fewer symptoms.
In some patients, acid or other substances including the enzyme pepsin reflux into the upper oesophagus and larynx, causing symptoms of burning in the throat, sore throat, hoarseness and a feeling of something stuck in the throat (also known as globus pharyngeus). These symptoms can occur even in the absence of the usual symptoms of gastric acid reflux. This condition is known as laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Up to now, Gaviscon AdvanceTM has been used in patients with LPR to good effect although its use has not been formally licensed until recently. This is good news for the many sufferers of this condition as Gaviscon AdvanceTM has minimal side effects and is effective in the majority of patients, either alone or in combination with other treatments.