What is acid reflux?
Indigestion and heartburn can be uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing. If over-the-counter antacids don’t help it might be time to try different indigestion and heartburn treatment.
What is indigestion?
Indigestion is when stomach acid irritates the stomach lining and often develops after eating. Indigestion can make you belch, fart and feel bloated or full. It can also give you pain in your tummy and make you feel sick.
What is heartburn?
Heartburn is also known as acid reflux and comes from stomach acid entering the oesophagus. This gives you a burning feeling and can be very uncomfortable. Heartburn is common in pregnant women later in the pregnancies.
So, indigestion and heartburn are both caused by stomach acid. Most people will experience indigestion or heartburn at some point so it isn’t usually anything to worry about. However, if you frequently get indigestion or if normal antacids don’t help with your symptoms, then you might need to try something stronger.
What indigestion and heartburn treatments are available?
For temporary bouts of indigestion, most people will take antacids. This is a type of medication that can neutralise the excess acid in your stomach and relieve your indigestion.
Antacids are available as tablets, gummies or in liquid form. The liquid forms can be more effective at treating heartburn. If you suffer from indigestion on a regular basis, you should consider lifestyle changes before moving onto stronger medication. You may be able to reduce your indigestion symptoms if you:
–> Lose weight if you are overweight or obese
–> Stop smoking
–> Reducing your alcohol intake
Indigestion is also a common side effect of some medications. So, if you are on regular meds, it might be worth discussing alternatives with your GP or pharmacist.
Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) tablets
When normal antacids aren’t working, you may be able to try proton pump inhibitor tablets. PPIs work by reducing stomach acid production but need to be taken for a number of weeks.
How can I get indigestion treatment?
You can book an indigestion appointment at your pharmacy. There, our pharmacist will ask you a few questions about your symptoms before prescribing you a PPI medication. It’s important to remember that this treatment isn’t suitable for everyone. The pharmacist may refer you to your GP if they think your condition is more serious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Take a look at the questions we get asked the most
We can provide treatment for a range of conditions, including weight management, travel health, minor infections, skin conditions, ear health, and more. Our pharmacist prescribers can issue prescriptions where appropriate, and we operate under Patient Group Directions (PGDs) for specific treatments.
Appointments must be booked via our online booking calendar. Simply select the service you need, choose a suitable time, and confirm your appointment.
Yes! We offer both online and in-store consultations. Our pharmacist prescribers can assess your condition and recommend treatments through a secure online consultation, saving you time and hassle.
Once your consultation is complete, you can either collect your medication in-store or have it delivered to your home for convenience.
If a payment is required, we can send you a secure payment link, allowing you to pay online quickly and easily before receiving your treatment. Or, you can pay in store.
A Pharmacist Prescriber is a qualified pharmacist who can assess medical conditions, prescribe treatments, and issue prescriptions without needing a GP appointment. This allows for faster access to treatment.
PGDs allow our pharmacists to provide certain prescription-only medicines without a GP prescription. This means you can receive treatment for common conditions like weight loss, travel vaccinations, minor infections, and more, directly from our pharmacy.
No, you don’t need a referral. Our pharmacists are qualified to assess, prescribe, and dispense medications for a variety of conditions, meaning you can receive treatment quickly without seeing a GP.
Most medications can be dispensed immediately after your consultation if collected in-store. If you choose delivery, we aim to dispatch your medication within 24–48 hours, depending on delivery.
