A comparative crossover study on the treatment of heartburn and epigastric pain: Liquid Gaviscon and a magnesium--aluminium antacid gel.

Forty-four patients with symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux were randomly assigned in a crossover trial to treatment for 15-day periods with Liquid Gaviscon (a reflux suppressant) or an antacid gel containing magnesium and aluminium hydroxide. Good relief of symptoms was reported by 84% of patients during therapy with Liquid Gaviscon compared to only 23% during antacid therapy. Relief of symptoms was obtained within 15 minutes by 68% of patients during therapy with Liquid Gaviscon compared to only 9% during antacid treatment. The beneficial effect lasted for more than 4 hours in 75% of patients during treatment with Liquid Gaviscom compared to only 23% of patients obtaining long-term relief during antacid therapy.