Algicon Suspension: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Algicon Suspension contains sodium alginate and potassium bicarbonate, an alginate-based, raft-forming antacid used to relieve heartburn, acid regurgitation, and indigestion caused by acid reflux. It works by forming a protective barrier over the stomach contents rather than simply neutralizing acid. It is available as a chewable tablet and an oral suspension, and dosing varies by age.

What is Algicon Suspension

Algicon is a combination medicine that is used to calm heartburn and acid reflux. It belongs to a group of medicines called alginate-based antacids, which work differently from ordinary antacids by forming a protective layer over the stomach contents.

Algicon Suspension uses

• Heartburn and acid regurgitation linked to gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Indigestion (dyspepsia) caused by acid reflux
• Reflux oesophagitis, as an add-on symptom treatment
• Reflux symptoms occurring during pregnancy
• Reflux symptoms linked to hiatus hernia
• Symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux, such as hoarseness, chronic cough, and sore throat, particularly after stomach surgery

Benefits of Algicon Suspension

• Provides short-term relief from heartburn, acid regurgitation, and indigestion
• Forms a physical barrier that reduces reflux of acid, bile, and pepsin into the food pipe
• Can be used for reflux symptoms occurring during pregnancy when advised by a doctor
• Forms a protective alginate raft over stomach contents

How Algicon Suspension works

When Algicon reaches the stomach, the alginate reacts with stomach acid to form a gel, and the potassium bicarbonate releases carbon dioxide gas that gets trapped inside the gel. This creates a floating 'raft' that sits on top of the stomach contents and physically blocks acid, bile, and pepsin from flowing back into the food pipe.

Algicon Suspension dosage

Take Algicon after meals and again at bedtime, since the floating barrier works best when it can settle on top of a recent meal. Chewable tablets should be chewed thoroughly before swallowing, not swallowed whole. Shake the oral suspension well before each use and measure the dose with an appropriate measuring device.

Avoid taking this medicine at the same time as other oral medicines; leave a gap of at least 2 hours, since it can reduce how well other medicines are absorbed. This medicine is not recommended for children under 2 years of age.

Available forms and strengths

• Chewable tablet
• Oral suspension

Side effects of Algicon Suspension

Common

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Headache
• Bloating or a feeling of fullness in the stomach, especially with higher doses

Serious

• Rarely, hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions such as rash or itching
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Abdominal bloating or a feeling of fullness, especially if too much is taken

Warnings and precautions

• People with heart failure should use this medicine with caution because its sodium content may contribute to fluid retention, especially if they are on a low-sodium diet. This medicine may not work as well in people who produce very little stomach acid, since it needs to react with stomach acid to form its protective barrier.
• This medicine is meant only for short-term relief of symptoms. See a doctor if symptoms last more than 7 days, keep coming back, or happen along with weight loss, trouble swallowing, or signs of bleeding, since these could point to a more serious problem.
• This medicine can reduce how well certain other medicines are absorbed, including some antibiotics, iron supplements, thyroid medicine, chloroquine, bisphosphonates, and estramustine. Separate doses by at least 2 hours.
• Algicon may be used during pregnancy for relief of reflux symptoms when a doctor thinks it's needed, since it mostly works locally in the stomach with little absorption into the body. It should be used only if clearly needed, at the lowest effective dose, and after talking to a doctor.
• Algicon is generally considered safe to use while breastfeeding, with no known harm reported in breastfed babies, but a doctor or pharmacist should be consulted before use, especially with prolonged or frequent use.
• People with significant kidney problems have a higher risk of too much potassium or sodium building up in the body because of this medicine's content, so it should only be used under medical supervision, especially if on a salt- or potassium-restricted diet.
• No dose adjustment is needed for people with liver problems.
• Alcohol can worsen heartburn and reflux symptoms.
• It generally does not impair driving.

Storage

• Store at room temperature (below 30°C), away from light and moisture.
• Keep out of reach of children.

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help if your symptoms are severe, last longer than 7 days, or come with warning signs like unexplained weight loss, trouble swallowing, vomiting blood, or black/tarry stools, as these may point to a condition that needs further checking.
• If you think you or someone else has taken too much of this medicine, get medical help right away or contact your local poison control center; don't try to treat it yourself at home.
• See a doctor if side effects are severe or do not go away.

Alternatives

• Gaviscon
• Calcium carbonate antacid
• Famotidine
• Esomeprazole