Peptac Liquid Aniseed

What is Peptac Liquid?

Peptac Liquid is an oral suspension used to relieve symptoms caused by acid reflux, including heartburn, acid regurgitation and indigestion. It contains sodium alginate, sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate.

How to buy Peptac Liquid online

You can order Peptac Liquid online from Hightown Pharmacy for delivery within the UK. Add the product to your bag and complete checkout. Always read the patient information leaflet before using this medicine.

How to use Peptac Liquid

Shake the bottle well before use.

• Adults and children aged 12 years and over: take 10-20 ml, equivalent to two to four 5 ml spoonfuls, after meals and at bedtime.
• Do not take more than four doses in 24 hours.
• Children under 12 years: Peptac Liquid should only be given on medical advice.

If your symptoms have not improved after 7 days, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. Do not continue relying on Peptac Liquid regularly for long periods without medical advice.

How does Peptac Liquid work?

When Peptac Liquid comes into contact with stomach acid, the sodium alginate forms a gel-like layer or “raft” that floats on top of the stomach contents. This protective barrier helps prevent acid and other stomach contents from rising into the oesophagus, also known as the food pipe.

Sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate also help neutralise stomach acid. The protective raft can help prevent reflux for up to 4 hours.

What does Peptac Liquid contain?

Each 5 ml of Peptac Liquid contains:

• 250 mg sodium alginate
• 133.5 mg sodium bicarbonate
• 80 mg calcium carbonate

Peptac Liquid also contains parahydroxybenzoates, sometimes called parabens, which may cause an allergic reaction in some people. Read the patient information leaflet for the complete list of ingredients.

What are heartburn and acid reflux?

Acid reflux occurs when stomach contents travel back up into the oesophagus. Heartburn is the burning feeling in the chest or throat that can be caused by this reflux. Frequent or persistent acid reflux may be described as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, or GORD.

Common symptoms can include:

• A burning feeling in the chest or throat
• A sour or unpleasant taste in the mouth
• Food or fluid coming back up into the mouth
• Bloating or belching
• Feeling sick
• A persistent cough or hoarse voice

Symptoms may be worse after eating, when bending over or when lying down. They can also be triggered or made worse by certain foods, alcohol, smoking, pregnancy, being overweight, stress, a hiatus hernia and some medicines such as anti-inflammatory painkillers.

When should I seek medical advice?

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if:

• Your symptoms have not improved after taking Peptac Liquid for 7 days
• Lifestyle changes and pharmacy treatments are not helping
• You experience heartburn most days or have had frequent symptoms for 3 weeks or longer
• You have difficulty or pain when swallowing
• You are frequently being sick
• You have lost weight without intending to
• Your symptoms are becoming more severe or frequent
• You have blood in your vomit or black or dark-red stools

Persistent reflux symptoms should be assessed to rule out an underlying condition and to decide whether a different treatment is needed.

Easing heartburn and acid reflux

Alongside treatment, the following steps may help reduce your symptoms:

• Eat smaller, more frequent meals
• Avoid foods and drinks that trigger your symptoms
• Avoid eating for 3-4 hours before going to bed
• Remain upright after eating rather than lying down
• Raise the head end of your bed by approximately 10-20 cm if symptoms occur at night
• Try to lose weight if you are overweight
• Stop smoking
• Reduce alcohol consumption
• Avoid tight clothing around your waist

Do not stop taking a prescribed medicine because you think it is causing reflux without first speaking to your doctor or pharmacist.

Who should check before taking Peptac Liquid?

Do not take Peptac Liquid if you are allergic to sodium alginate, sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate or any of its other ingredients.

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if:

• You have been advised to follow a low-sodium or low-salt diet
• You have heart failure or kidney problems
• You have high calcium levels
• You have calcium deposits in the kidneys
• You have recurrent calcium-containing kidney stones

A maximum 20 ml dose contains approximately 286.5 mg of sodium. This should be taken into account by people who need to restrict their sodium intake.

Peptac Liquid side effects

Side effects are uncommon, but very rarely an allergic reaction can occur. Symptoms may include:

• A skin rash or raised, itchy rash
• Difficulty breathing or wheezing
• Dizziness
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat

Stop taking Peptac Liquid and seek urgent medical help if you develop difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.

If you experience any suspected side effect, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report side effects through the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.

Peptac Liquid interactions

Peptac Liquid can affect how other medicines are absorbed. Leave a gap of at least 2 hours between taking Peptac Liquid and any other medicine taken by mouth.

This is particularly important with medicines including:

• Antibiotics, including tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones
• Iron supplements
• Digoxin
• Beta-blockers such as atenolol, metoprolol and propranolol
• Levothyroxine and other thyroid hormones
• Bisphosphonates such as alendronic acid
• Some antifungal medicines
• Penicillamine
• Antiepileptic and antipsychotic medicines
• Lithium

This is not a complete list. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure whether Peptac Liquid can be taken with your other medicines.

Peptac Liquid and pregnancy

Peptac Liquid can be used during pregnancy when needed. Speak to your doctor, midwife or pharmacist if you are unsure whether it is suitable for you.

Peptac Liquid and breastfeeding

Peptac Liquid can be used while breastfeeding. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns.

Peptac Liquid and fertility

Available information does not suggest that Peptac Liquid affects fertility in men or women.

Peptac Liquid and alcohol

Alcohol can trigger or worsen heartburn and acid reflux. Reducing or avoiding alcohol may help, particularly if you notice that it makes your symptoms worse.

Alternatives to Peptac Liquid

If Peptac Liquid does not adequately control your symptoms, or you find that you need to use it regularly, speak to a pharmacist or doctor. A different alginate or an acid-reducing medicine may be more appropriate depending on how often your symptoms occur.

• Gaviscon Advance Suspension
• Nexium Control tablets
• View acid reflux treatments

More Peptac Liquid information

For further information, read the patient information leaflet supplied with the medicine. You can also view the official product information .