Barrett's Support Forum: Another newbie question

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   Forgive me , but as i have just found you guys , i have a lot to share/ask!

I just wondered , Peptac Liquid , in the recent past (last year or so) i have had a bottle , or a few sachets close to hand , to take after a spicy dinner , or maybe a pub meal , now the thing is , before me or my wife really had any idea on Barretts , my wife especially , used to see me taking it and worry that i was having an `attack` where i was taking it for peace of mind

My question to you guys is , is it normal to take this after every meal ? and if it is , what are the real benefits ?

Or indeed , what is bad about it?

Cheers!

Dan

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DanJ Groupie Joined: 18 Jul 2013 Online Status: Offline Posts: 87	Topic: Another newbie question - Peptac Liquid Posted: 23 Jul 2013 at 2:29pm
	Forgive me , but as i have just found you guys , i have a lot to share/ask! I just wondered , Peptac Liquid , in the recent past (last year or so) i have had a bottle , or a few sachets close to hand , to take after a spicy dinner , or maybe a pub meal , now the thing is , before me or my wife really had any idea on Barretts , my wife especially , used to see me taking it and worry that i was having an `attack` where i was taking it for peace of mind My question to you guys is , is it normal to take this after every meal ? and if it is , what are the real benefits ? Or indeed , what is bad about it? Cheers! Dan
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chrisrob Admin Group Joined: 01 May 2007 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2580	Posted: 23 Jul 2013 at 2:45pm
	I've never used Peptac liquid but think it's the same as Gaviscon: an alginate plus antacids. It is perfectly OK to use but you probably don't need it after every meal. It lines the oesophagus and floats on top of the acid in the stomach like oil on troubled water reducing the risk of splashback. I don't know of any detrimental effects. (I like the idea it's not made by Reckitt Benkiser who pulled a fast one on NHS withdrawing Gaviscon when the patent was about to run out so they had to prescribe Gaviscon Advance - more expensive and no extra benefit.) But I would suggest you try not to take it unless you know you need it - or it becomes a habit and may not feel the benefit when you do have a bad acid day? P.S. Don't worry about asking lots of questions. We encourage anyone new to do so. Hopefully we can help.
	www.barrettswessex.org.uk
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chrisrob Admin Group Joined: 01 May 2007 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2580	Posted: 23 Jul 2013 at 2:52pm
	Just found this within an article in The Guardian in 2008. Gaviscon: This antacid medicine for heartburn and indigestion comes in pill, liquid or sachet form, in flavours such as peppermint, lemon or aniseed. Gaviscon contains "alginate", a derivative of seaweed, which, explains Brendan Nyss, spokesman for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), "acts as a kind of raft that sits on the acid in the stomach, suppressing acid reflux". Alginate itself is specific to Gaviscon. The manufacturer of Gaviscon, Reckitt Benkiser, is currently in litigation to protect its patent. But again, there are cheaper alternatives. Peptac is an alginate derivative very similar to Gaviscon. It comes in peppermint or "original" liquid form, though not in tablets, and, says Nyss,"is very effective". Gaviscon does offer an "advance" formula containing double the alginate. Peptac does not have an equivalent. However, says Nyss, "I would always recommend shopping around for a generic version to start with, then moving up to something stronger if that is not effective." Since Gaviscon costs £7.95 for 600ml while Peptac is just £3.50 for a 500ml bottle, this approach could soothe your bank account too. Edited by chrisrob - 23 Jul 2013 at 2:54pm
	www.barrettswessex.org.uk
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DanJ Groupie Joined: 18 Jul 2013 Online Status: Offline Posts: 87	Posted: 23 Jul 2013 at 3:00pm
	thats the stuff Chris , Tesco , Boots and the like do it @ £3.90 i think it is these days , your right , i dont wnat to take it daily , and i dont either , i just didnt want to suffer from `silent reflux` without knowing about it so was wondering about using it more often on that basis , but i think i will stick to having it when i feel a little `off` maybe
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jcombs99 Senior Member Joined: 23 Mar 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1969	Posted: 23 Jul 2013 at 3:04pm
	You should be on PPIs because you have Barretts .What did your doctor give you to take .... Remember heartburn is one thing but Barretts means you already caused a lot of damaged and going down a ruff road . Edited by jcombs99 - 23 Jul 2013 at 3:06pm
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DanJ Groupie Joined: 18 Jul 2013 Online Status: Offline Posts: 87	Posted: 23 Jul 2013 at 3:06pm
	I am on PPI`s , 30mg Lansoprazole once a day (have been on them steadily for 12 months , sporadically before that) , but as long as the peptac liquid is taken at least two hours after (in reality it would likley be lunch or evening , so probably about 5 hours at least) the dose , it`s OK to use Edited by DanJ - 23 Jul 2013 at 3:07pm
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jcombs99 Senior Member Joined: 23 Mar 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1969	Posted: 23 Jul 2013 at 3:31pm
	I'm on 60mg IF it works use it . You will see @ your next scope IF what your doing works.
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DanJ Groupie Joined: 18 Jul 2013 Online Status: Offline Posts: 87	Posted: 23 Jul 2013 at 3:33pm
	what next scope , doc wont refer me !
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jcombs99 Senior Member Joined: 23 Mar 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1969	Posted: 23 Jul 2013 at 3:50pm
	My opinion carpenter 12 months my gi 12 months ,NHS 24 months .GET another doc . That simple.
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