This is a review of Gaviscon Double Action Tablets which I have recently purchased to combat the persistent heartburn I have experienced during this (and the previous) pregnancy. I think I've tried everything on the market actually, being caught out shopping with no tablets and desperate to put out the 'fire' in my chest.

Purchase decision
I had loads of tablets at home but none on me so I just wanted a small box which are easier to take on the go. The Gaviscon Double Action Tablets are available in boxes of 16 and I knew I wanted mint flavour as the fruit flavour tablets make me feel ill.

What are they?
The tablets are double action and target both heartburn and indigestion. It is the former I have the most trouble with. They come in a cardboard box and then are shrink wrapped on to foil and you can easily press out a tablet. Each tablet is two layers with a pink and a white bit. These promise long lasting relief working to neutralise stomach acid with the white layer and form a protective barrier over the stomach with the pink layer.

Safe
You can take this product if you are pregnant or breast feeding (phew!).

In use
I just take one and chew it before swallowing, sometimes (often) I need to take another straight away. It advises between two to four tablets after meals and before bedtime up to four times a day.

Results
These did work but not as quickly as I hoped. It took around 10 minutes before I felt better. I was OK for the rest of the day afterwards though which is good as it does usually recur quite frequently.

Price
I got my box of 16 Gaviscon Double Action Tablets from Boots for £2.90. They had some offers on other brands if you bought two boxes but mine was an emergency purchase and I just wanted a quick fix.

My thoughts
These are not the best tasting tablets (I prefer a more chalky consistency) and they got a bit lumpy whilst chewing and stuck around my teeth. The pink bit reminds me of those dental tablets that show you where plaque is on your teeth! They don't taste totally awful but I am not a big fan of the consistency. The fact that they work eventually though means that I will work my way through the rest of the pack but will probably not rebuy in the future. A good plus point for them is that they don't dry out your mouth like some own brand ones I have used and they don't leave a terrible after taste in your mouth hours later.

Final word
Whilst I don't recommend these as the best I have ever tried, they do work so it's not all bad. I don't like the consistency and wish they would work a little quicker but feel that for the price they are a solution to a painful ailment.