What remedies are available?

There are a number of remedies that you can buy from your pharmacist which work in different ways to reduce the symptoms of indigestion. Your pharmacist can help you decide which is the most suitable for you.

Indigestion remedies usually contain ingredients that work by neutralising the acid (antacids), stopping the stomach from producing too much acid (acid reducers), stopping acid rising up from the stomach (alginates), releasing trapped wind in the stomach (antiflatulents), or helping the stomach get back its normal movement (motility restorers). Some remedies contain a mixture of these ingredients.

There are many ways of describing the different symptoms of indigestion. Some symptoms feel very similar to others, and how you describe these feelings can affect the type of remedy your pharmacist, doctor or nurse recommends. By learning to explain how you are feeling, you can help your pharmacist find the right remedy for you.